Guide: How to change fabia front ARB

[TeflonTom]

the first thing to do is to jack up the front of the car nice and high and support it on axle stands, place the axles stands in such a place so as it does not interfere with the subframe





next undo the nut from the anti-roll bar drop link arrowed in picture below, you may need to counterhole the central pin with a t30 torx socket to undo this






now working underneath the car, remove the 4 bolt securing the plate at the rear of the subframe, there are two bolts on each side of the car






next remove the 2 bolts from the rear engine/transimission pendulum support







next undo the 2 bolts secureing the anti-roll bar retaining braket from the subframe, then go to the other side of the car and do the same




now, working from underneath the car, undo the 4 steering rack retaining bolts





next place your trolley jack under the subframe and support to support the weight, this assembly is heavy so be carefull!! subframe retaining bolts arrowed, another two bolts on oposite sides..



now remove the bolts securing the subrame to the underside of the car, there are 4 in total, 2 each side, 1 arrowed here



and another arrowed here.... you will need an extension on your socket to reach this one through the access hole in the track control arm





now carefully lower the whole subframe/track control arm assembly down from the bottom of the car, it only needs to come down about 4 inches in total




it shouldnow be possible to remove the anti-roll bar from the car, it's a bit fiddly but it will come out if you try hard enough, take care not to catch the ends of the anti-roll bar on the track rod gators as these will tear easily.....


now compare your anti-roll bar with your new one, just to check they are the same shape, also inspect the new item for any signs of damage before fitting




just to illustrate a commonly replaced item, take a look at the way the bush has worn a groove into the old roll bar



once you are happy it is the right part, fit the bushes to the bar using the supplied grease, then refit the clamps...... note: the retaining clamps are handed.... make sure that they end up back on the same side of the car you took them off!!!! i did this wrong to start with, it's easy to do because they look the same.... also note that the bolts securing the bar can be tightened before raising the subframe back into position.




now, assembly is just a reverse of the strip down procedure, i decided to fit new drop-links to mine, they cost me £25 for the pair from my local motor factors



all finished ....... as a rough quide this job took me roughly 1 hour to complete, but may take a little longer depending on circumstance and experience....


Thanks, Tom
any questions, pm me

[devonutopia]

Good guide.

[Sonic1980]

looks fecking impossible. I'd be terrified attempting that.

The Rear Arb was one thing...! but thats something else...

[RAJVK]

Well laid out

[Lummox]

Well done, of course you need the four wheel alignment doing and its easier undoing the arb bracket bolts when the subframe is down rather than fiddling with them when the subframe is still bolted up.

[TeflonTom]

yes, but i was thinking more about the people who may read this guide who just wanted to change thier bushes.... i'm going to edit the post sightly in the morning.... i'm not doing my 4 wheel alignment till after i've done my bushes and fitted my fsd's tomorrow

the only other thing i omitted to mention is that on models like the 1.4 and 1.2 where the exhaust system passer under the subframe rather than over the top like the diesels and the 2.0, it will be necessary to remove the exhaust and/or cat first

[Lummox]

Good point about the exhaust, it does make it a bit of a pain, so is the 1.4 auto.

[Basil]

nice guide Mate - very useful to have in time of need.

Was the new ARB uprated? What are the signs of a worn-out old one?

Thanks for the info

Bas

[TeflonTom]

yeah the new one is the eibach 22mm one, the signs of a worn out one was random knocking noises, and also strange squeeks from the bushes when they got wet

[SteveP]

ho sells the http://www.briskoda.net/forums/techn...s-pads/62695/? Is 22mm the biggest? Thanks - SteveP

[postmanpat]

Fantastic guide, put it in your CV and send it to Haynes

[Lummox]

Look out for the update,

"How to fit consoles with Ibiza wishbone bushes fitted"

[VRStu]

Originally Posted by Lummox

Look out for the update,

"How to fit consoles with Ibiza wishbone bushes fitted"

Does that include the section on not being able to get the old ones out and shattering the console

[Lummox]

Yeah, also a sub section on making sure the tool you have is the right thread

[VRStu]

Originally Posted by Lummox

Yeah, also a sub section on making sure the tool you have is the right thread

I think I've heard of that part

[vRSLen]

Did you notice the difference Tom?

[TeflonTom]

Originally Posted by VRStu

Does that include the section on not being able to get the old ones out and shattering the console

Originally Posted by Lummox

Yeah, also a sub section on making sure the tool you have is the right thread

yes i know..... i'm an idiot

[TeflonTom]

Originally Posted by vRSLen

Did you notice the difference Tom?

no not a great deal, in fact unless your arb is hanging on by it's finger nails like mine was, then dont bother, save you money and spend it on something else....

[Neo_VR]

Originally Posted by postmanpat

Fantastic guide, put it in your CV and send it to Haynes

"Refitting is the reverse of removal"

[WW_VRS]

How do you determine when it's 'gone' and if it has, would you buy the standard one instead of the Eibach one?

Also - why haven't I broken mine yet