Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide

vrsfab · 12-02-2008, 21:06

Here's a DIY guide on replacing the Fabia front wishbone bushes with Seat Cupra and Powerflex alternatives.

This is a fairly involved process and should only be attempted if you are a fairly experienced DIY bodger like myself

.

Please read and understand the guide before commencing as the hardest part of the process is the reassembly and at this point the car will be impossible to move if you can't finish the job.

Parts required:

1 Set Powerflex bushes - Part No PFF85-601

2No Seat Cupra Console bushes - Part No 6LL407183

1 Tube VW Special lube for fitting Console bush

6No Bolts for Balljoints - Part No N10127707 (VW Part No)

2No Bolts for Front Wishbone Bush - Part No N10141801 (VW Part No)

Note:- The bolts were purchased from a local VW dealership as none were in stock at any local Skoda dealers.

Tools required:

Tool to fit Cupra bushes into Consoles (See below for Details)

Jack and Axle stands

A strong socket set

A senior hacksaw

Mallet

Large screwdiver

Torque Wrench

Silicon spray

Ratchet strap

Making your Bush fitting tool:

This consists of an M12 x 150 long set screw, 2No M12 washers and 2No M12 nuts. These are readily available from your local hardware shop or Fixings supplier.

You will also need to get a friendly local engineering shop to make the large spacers for you. I managed to get all 4 spacers made in return for a 20 bottle crate of Stella.

The spacers are 8mm thick with a 12.5mm dia hole in the centre. You will need 2No @ 61mm dia and 2No @ 71mm dia.

Procedure:

Jack up the car and support it on the cill jacking points with axle stands.

Remove wheels and engine splash guard.

Remove the 13mm nuts on the lower ball joint.

Pull the hub outwards and slide the lower balljoint out of the wishbone.

Remove the 18mm bolt from the front of the wishbone (sorry for the cr&p pic)

Slide the wishbone out of its front mounting.

Remove the wishbone from the rear console bush. This is best done by rotating the wishbone to the 6 o'clock position a few times while maintaining forward pressure.

A view of the old console bush.

To remove the old console bush I found it quickest to cut partially through the outer nylon casing with a hacksaw blade threaded through a void in the bush. When the casing is partially cut you can tap a blunt screwdriver between it and the console and the nylon will split. Tap the bush out from the rear.

Clean the inside of the console with WD40 and a Scotchbrite pad.

To Remove the front wishbone bush from the wishbone you will first need to cut off the rubber flange from the rear side of the bush with either a hacksaw or knife.

Fit a large socket over the remaining flange and a smaller socket on the cut side of the bush and using your M12 set screw, pull the bush out of the wishbone and into the socket.

Bush removed.

Fit the Powerflex bushes into the wishbone as described in their instructions.

Fitting the Cupra bush into the Console.
The bush should be fitted with the flush side towards the back of the car and with the hexagon hole flat at the top and bottom. (See the fitted pic)
Lubricate the console and the bush with oil, place correctly aligned, into the console and tap it gently with a mallet to start the fitting.
Put a large spacer at the rear of the console and a small spacer at the front of the bush. Thread the M12 Set screw through the spacer, bush, console and spacer and fit the M12 nut at the rear.
Start to tighten the nut and check the bush is still aligned with the console.
Carefully tighten the nut and bolt until the bush is pulled through the console and is flush at the rear.

New Cupra bush fitted.

Refitting the Wishbone:
Lubricate the hole in the Console bush and the hexagonal spigot on the wisbone with copious amounts of silicon spray.
Place the wishbone into the bush and start the fitting with a few taps of the mallet.
Place the ratchet strap around the rear of the console housing and round the Powerflex bush at the front of the wishbone.
Ratchet the strap to pull the wishbone into the console bush. It will be difficult and a few more taps with the mallet may help the process. The wishbone is correctly fitted when 3-4mm of the spigot protrudes at the rear of the console bush.

Hinge the front bush into its correct position, as shown in the pic above, and fit
a new 18mm bolt. Torque to 70Nm and tighten a further 90 degrees

Refit the lower balljoint back into the wishbone and fit new 13mm bolts. Torque to 20Nm and tighten a further 90 degrees

Refit the splashguard and wheels and lower the car to the ground.

Get the tracking checked as soon as possible.

I hope this helps someone out or at least helps you to make the decision to tackle the job yourself or get the proffesionals in.

rum4mo · 12-02-2008, 21:28

Just a couple of observations, if you remove the lower swivel at the ball joint then the camber/caster should be as was, get the tracking checked should maybe read get a full four wheel realignment carried out. Also the Seat dealers seem to offer a fitting lubricant to aid the fitting of these bushes - but good guide - I hadn't thought of using a strap to pull the TCA onto the new bush, also maybe try to get high strength machine bolts for the bush removal/fitting tool. One point to remember is that the swivel mounting bolt holes are over sized to allow them to be used to set the suspension up correctly, I sprayed mine with yellow paint to make accurate refitting possible when I replaced my broken road spring(s).

vrsfab · 12-02-2008, 21:37

Cheers rum4mo,

Valid points. I wish I knew about the Seat lube, the wishbones were an ar5e to get back in.

I believe the holes in the wishbones were only oversize on the early cars. The holes on my Vrs were almost size for size.

gmaster · 13-02-2008, 18:08

Good stuff! Now i dont pretend to know much about this sort of thing so i have a question. I recently had wishbone bushes fitted front and rear, so would i have had the console bush changed too?
I have handling problems since being fitted but have had 4wa done. (octy vrs by the way) thanks.

Basil · 13-02-2008, 18:28

nice guide there mate! Wish it had been about when I tackled this myself....

Just a minor comment - you do need lubrication to fit in the bushes, but oil remains there and can allow the bush to rotate out of alignment later on - there's a proper Skoda lube available, but I used washing-up liquid..

Cheers
Bas

vrsfab · 13-02-2008, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmaster

Good stuff! Now i dont pretend to know much about this sort of thing so i have a question. I recently had wishbone bushes fitted front and rear, so would i have had the console bush changed too?
I have handling problems since being fitted but have had 4wa done. (octy vrs by the way) thanks.

I don't think the Octy has the same setup as the fabia, so I can't really answer your question, sorry

faboka vrs · 13-02-2008, 23:09

excellent guide. I'm sure it'll come in very handy to members.

bush · 13-02-2008, 23:18

Sorry but is that bush carrier arm cracked? Dave

vrsfab · 14-02-2008, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by bush

Sorry but is that bush carrier arm cracked? Dave

No it's not cracked, just a high quality VW casting.

rum4mo · 14-02-2008, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrsfab

I believe the holes in the wishbones were only oversize on the early cars. The holes on my Vrs were almost size for size.

Well I thought that as well but Haynes, based on an early Fabia strip down pointed this out, so when I later bought the Polo Haynes book it was just copied across and the Polo by 2003 should have had the smaller holes. I've only ever considered that you can remove and fit these parts "as was" if they are dowelled in place or the bolts have shoulders and the arm a captive nut - as far as I can make out this is still not the case, so slight but significant misalignment can take place. I just have always had bad experiences when removing lower balljoints for reuse - so would be inclined to avaoid removing them - but it would mean that the pre "job" alignment was retained - if indeed that was still okay. Could be that VRS get better TCAs.

VeeKar · 02-03-2008, 22:22

Hi thats brilliant and gives me the confidence to tackle mine, just one thing what size is the large socket used to extract the bush as I dont think I have anything above a 22mm or 24mm.
Thanks.

Oh and could you tell me again why the cupra bush is favoured over a full powerflex set up (less harsh?) Thanks again.

rum4mo · 03-03-2008, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeeKar

Hi thats brilliant and gives me the confidence to tackle mine, just one thing what size is the large socket used to extract the bush as I dont think I have anything above a 22mm or 24mm.
Thanks.

Oh and could you tell me again why the cupra bush is favoured over a full powerflex set up (less harsh?) Thanks again.

I know what the Ibiza Cupra bush is - its a solid version of the normal voided one. The Powerflex set up, was, as far as I know, a stiffener insert that was forced in to make the voided bush sort of solid - but to use it you really need new bushes - so why not just fit Ibiza Cupra ones by themselves. Also, it has been said that the Powerflex voided bush inserts tend to sneek out when you are not looking.

Other point, socket sizes, I can't answer that one but as you will need to get hold of the Powerflex TCA front bushes before you do this job - you should be able to work out what sizes are needed as the main dimensions of these parts will be the same, and if you then chop off carefully the front and or rear "stepped" section, then you should be able to carefully hack out what is left - maybe give it a fright with a blowtorch to "light" the rubber then push it out with a large screwdriver or something else - that always seemed to work in the past for me (on other cars) and does not create a lot of heat - but maybe a bit of smoke (cough cough!).

VeeKar · 03-03-2008, 22:07

Thanks for that

Now just a socket size needed (rather than grovelling in snow with a tape measure!)

rum4mo · 03-03-2008, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeeKar

Thanks for that

Now just a socket size needed (rather than grovelling in snow with a tape measure!)

I edited my posting - but snow? surely its better to sleep in front of the telly and drink beer when that stuff is around - I suppose its still Winter! (Summer is just round the corner - but which one?)

One other thing, as I can't put my hands on the stuff at the moment, when you nip into your Seat place to buy the Cupra bushes, just ask for a tube (or something) of the assembling grease. I didn't know about this but the guy said "do you want some assembling grease as well" I just pleaded ignorance and said "yes". Curiously, the indep specialist that fitted my bushes for me (fitted one in reverse!!!) used goldish stuff - could be coppaslip when he replaced the wrongly fitted bush - buy maybe its best to use the right stuff.

VeeKar · 03-03-2008, 22:21

Ah, seen that now and yes quite obvious when you think about it.
Would normally do the beer and telly thing except having a month off after xmas new year my birthday and a weeks holiday!
Thanks again

And more! Yes maybe thats the stuff to go for, think its Bas above who says too much oil in there and it could go out of alignment. Mind you didnt he use fairy?? Might just spit on it

Just need to book the mother in laws drive for a day (cos I know it will take me all day) she dont mind reminds her of hubby and keeps the cats amused.

vrsfab · 04-03-2008, 08:18

The large black socket is 1.5" bought when I had Rover V8's and a man needed a proper socket set

. Using one of the spacers and an offcut of largish tube would be ok.

Where are you based? If you leave a deposit you can borrow the gear.

rum4mo · 04-03-2008, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeeKar

Ah, seen that now and yes quite obvious when you think about it.

Just need to book the mother in laws drive for a day (cos I know it will take me all day) she dont mind reminds her of hubby and keeps the cats amused.

Ah well I just hope the weather is better - a bit like it seems it was when vrsfab took his pictures!! Still got white stuff here where the sun has not sorted it!

VeeKar · 05-03-2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrsfab

The large black socket is 1.5" bought when I had Rover V8's and a man needed a proper socket set

. Using one of the spacers and an offcut of largish tube would be ok.

Where are you based? If you leave a deposit you can borrow the gear.

Thanks for that and the kind offer of tools.

My Dad is an engineer and I'll be asking him if he can make up some spacers for me and think he's got some "man sockets" too.

If that doesn't work out I might be in touch

run4mo, I definiteley fair weather mechanic, especially when its not actually broken

UWO · 31-03-2008, 22:01

Why did you use powerflex front wishbone front bush? Are they better than the Škoda ones?

VeeKar · 01-04-2008, 09:42

I'm sure the answer to this is "Yes"

Powerflex bushes are made from polyurethane not rubber and they keep their properties longer than rubber.

It's not just Skoda bushes that aren't so good it's common practice on the majority of car brands to uprate these parts, both for performance and an "as new" feel to the car.

I have yet to do this to my car but can relate to the symptoms reported often on here and look forward to getting it done, hopefully in the next few weeks.

Hope that helps

12-02-2008, 21:06	#1
vrsfab Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Notts Posts: 762	Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Here's a DIY guide on replacing the Fabia front wishbone bushes with Seat Cupra and Powerflex alternatives. This is a fairly involved process and should only be attempted if you are a fairly experienced DIY bodger like myself . Please read and understand the guide before commencing as the hardest part of the process is the reassembly and at this point the car will be impossible to move if you can't finish the job. Parts required: 1 Set Powerflex bushes - Part No PFF85-601 2No Seat Cupra Console bushes - Part No 6LL407183 1 Tube VW Special lube for fitting Console bush 6No Bolts for Balljoints - Part No N10127707 (VW Part No) 2No Bolts for Front Wishbone Bush - Part No N10141801 (VW Part No) Note:- The bolts were purchased from a local VW dealership as none were in stock at any local Skoda dealers. Tools required: Tool to fit Cupra bushes into Consoles (See below for Details) Jack and Axle stands A strong socket set A senior hacksaw Mallet Large screwdiver Torque Wrench Silicon spray Ratchet strap Making your Bush fitting tool: This consists of an M12 x 150 long set screw, 2No M12 washers and 2No M12 nuts. These are readily available from your local hardware shop or Fixings supplier. You will also need to get a friendly local engineering shop to make the large spacers for you. I managed to get all 4 spacers made in return for a 20 bottle crate of Stella. The spacers are 8mm thick with a 12.5mm dia hole in the centre. You will need 2No @ 61mm dia and 2No @ 71mm dia. Procedure: Jack up the car and support it on the cill jacking points with axle stands. Remove wheels and engine splash guard. Remove the 13mm nuts on the lower ball joint. Pull the hub outwards and slide the lower balljoint out of the wishbone. Remove the 18mm bolt from the front of the wishbone (sorry for the cr&p pic) Slide the wishbone out of its front mounting. Remove the wishbone from the rear console bush. This is best done by rotating the wishbone to the 6 o'clock position a few times while maintaining forward pressure. A view of the old console bush. To remove the old console bush I found it quickest to cut partially through the outer nylon casing with a hacksaw blade threaded through a void in the bush. When the casing is partially cut you can tap a blunt screwdriver between it and the console and the nylon will split. Tap the bush out from the rear. Clean the inside of the console with WD40 and a Scotchbrite pad. To Remove the front wishbone bush from the wishbone you will first need to cut off the rubber flange from the rear side of the bush with either a hacksaw or knife. Fit a large socket over the remaining flange and a smaller socket on the cut side of the bush and using your M12 set screw, pull the bush out of the wishbone and into the socket. Bush removed. Fit the Powerflex bushes into the wishbone as described in their instructions. Fitting the Cupra bush into the Console. The bush should be fitted with the flush side towards the back of the car and with the hexagon hole flat at the top and bottom. (See the fitted pic) Lubricate the console and the bush with oil, place correctly aligned, into the console and tap it gently with a mallet to start the fitting. Put a large spacer at the rear of the console and a small spacer at the front of the bush. Thread the M12 Set screw through the spacer, bush, console and spacer and fit the M12 nut at the rear. Start to tighten the nut and check the bush is still aligned with the console. Carefully tighten the nut and bolt until the bush is pulled through the console and is flush at the rear. New Cupra bush fitted. Refitting the Wishbone: Lubricate the hole in the Console bush and the hexagonal spigot on the wisbone with copious amounts of silicon spray. Place the wishbone into the bush and start the fitting with a few taps of the mallet. Place the ratchet strap around the rear of the console housing and round the Powerflex bush at the front of the wishbone. Ratchet the strap to pull the wishbone into the console bush. It will be difficult and a few more taps with the mallet may help the process. The wishbone is correctly fitted when 3-4mm of the spigot protrudes at the rear of the console bush. Hinge the front bush into its correct position, as shown in the pic above, and fit a new 18mm bolt. Torque to 70Nm and tighten a further 90 degrees Refit the lower balljoint back into the wishbone and fit new 13mm bolts. Torque to 20Nm and tighten a further 90 degrees Refit the splashguard and wheels and lower the car to the ground. Get the tracking checked as soon as possible. I hope this helps someone out or at least helps you to make the decision to tackle the job yourself or get the proffesionals in. __________________ Rich - Black Magic Fabia vRS Last edited by vrsfab; 22-03-2008 at 11:22.

12-02-2008, 21:28	#2
rum4mo Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 507	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Just a couple of observations, if you remove the lower swivel at the ball joint then the camber/caster should be as was, get the tracking checked should maybe read get a full four wheel realignment carried out. Also the Seat dealers seem to offer a fitting lubricant to aid the fitting of these bushes - but good guide - I hadn't thought of using a strap to pull the TCA onto the new bush, also maybe try to get high strength machine bolts for the bush removal/fitting tool. One point to remember is that the swivel mounting bolt holes are over sized to allow them to be used to set the suspension up correctly, I sprayed mine with yellow paint to make accurate refitting possible when I replaced my broken road spring(s).

12-02-2008, 21:37	#3
vrsfab Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Notts Posts: 762	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Cheers rum4mo, Valid points. I wish I knew about the Seat lube, the wishbones were an ar5e to get back in. I believe the holes in the wishbones were only oversize on the early cars. The holes on my Vrs were almost size for size. __________________ Rich - Black Magic Fabia vRS

13-02-2008, 18:08	#4
gmaster Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Devon Posts: 418	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Good stuff! Now i dont pretend to know much about this sort of thing so i have a question. I recently had wishbone bushes fitted front and rear, so would i have had the console bush changed too? I have handling problems since being fitted but have had 4wa done. (octy vrs by the way) thanks. __________________ Black octy mk1 VRS... with some mods.

13-02-2008, 18:28	#5
Basil hardcore modder Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bahrain, Arabian Gulf Posts: 2,788	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide nice guide there mate! Wish it had been about when I tackled this myself.... Just a minor comment - you do need lubrication to fit in the bushes, but oil remains there and can allow the bush to rotate out of alignment later on - there's a proper Skoda lube available, but I used washing-up liquid.. Cheers Bas __________________ Fab vRS - Black Magic - PD160 intake - Forge FMIC - colour coded front grille -SLC Splitter - K&N Airfilter -SEAT Strutbrace - Jabba ARB - IC Waterspray (need to wire it in!) - 312mm TT brakes - Eibach Springs - Skoda Reversing sensors - Devonutopia Tuning (tm) Custom Exhaust (2 1/4" straight pipe) - Short shifter mod- 5 brake light mod - Helix Steel SMF + Organic Clutch + pressure plate - Peloquin LSD - TD stage 2 Hybrid - Washbrook remapped ECU - Uprated injectors - Cupra bushes -Poly-filled dogbone - Allard racepipe - Pirelli Dragons - Forge Rear Strutbrace - DIY SS upper boostpipe delete -Koni FSD's - elephant pipe CCV mod

13-02-2008, 23:09	#7
faboka vrs Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Merseyside Posts: 5,744	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide excellent guide. I'm sure it'll come in very handy to members. __________________ John Its small, black, gets laughed at, makes 125bhp at the wrong wheels, does 50mpg and makes a cracking Sponge Cake

13-02-2008, 23:18	#8
bush Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Shropshire Posts: 14	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Sorry but is that bush carrier arm cracked? Dave

02-03-2008, 22:22	#11
VeeKar Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: derbyshire Posts: 318	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Hi thats brilliant and gives me the confidence to tackle mine, just one thing what size is the large socket used to extract the bush as I dont think I have anything above a 22mm or 24mm. Thanks. Oh and could you tell me again why the cupra bush is favoured over a full powerflex set up (less harsh?) Thanks again.

03-03-2008, 22:07	#13
VeeKar Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: derbyshire Posts: 318	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Thanks for that Now just a socket size needed (rather than grovelling in snow with a tape measure!)

03-03-2008, 22:21	#15
VeeKar Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: derbyshire Posts: 318	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Ah, seen that now and yes quite obvious when you think about it. Would normally do the beer and telly thing except having a month off after xmas new year my birthday and a weeks holiday! Thanks again And more! Yes maybe thats the stuff to go for, think its Bas above who says too much oil in there and it could go out of alignment. Mind you didnt he use fairy?? Might just spit on it Just need to book the mother in laws drive for a day (cos I know it will take me all day) she dont mind reminds her of hubby and keeps the cats amused. Last edited by VeeKar; 03-03-2008 at 22:29.

04-03-2008, 08:18	#16
vrsfab Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Notts Posts: 762	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide The large black socket is 1.5" bought when I had Rover V8's and a man needed a proper socket set . Using one of the spacers and an offcut of largish tube would be ok. Where are you based? If you leave a deposit you can borrow the gear. __________________ Rich - Black Magic Fabia vRS

31-03-2008, 22:01	#19
UWO Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Slovenia Posts: 132	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide Why did you use powerflex front wishbone front bush? Are they better than the Škoda ones?

01-04-2008, 09:42	#20
VeeKar Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: derbyshire Posts: 318	Re: Fabia wishbone bush replacement DIY Guide I'm sure the answer to this is "Yes" Powerflex bushes are made from polyurethane not rubber and they keep their properties longer than rubber. It's not just Skoda bushes that aren't so good it's common practice on the majority of car brands to uprate these parts, both for performance and an "as new" feel to the car. I have yet to do this to my car but can relate to the symptoms reported often on here and look forward to getting it done, hopefully in the next few weeks. Hope that helps

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