Today I.....

Of course there's room for movement, that is always going to happen, but putting it back exactly where it was put drastically minimises the risk, of course, you can buy or better still borrow a set of alignment bolts, its your call
 
Sootywg said:
What strength ratchet strap do you think is needed? Quite a price hike when you go up to a 5Ton breaking strain
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Unfortunately I don't remember exactly how I rigged up the ratchet strap around the control arm but it was fairly straightforward.
It was a cheap ratchet strap so it was not a super high load rating .

It took some persistence before it eventually slid into place ; the rubber bush internals can look like they are stretching out of the mount as the load is applied so keep an eye on it.
 
Raymie said:
Unfortunately I don't remember exactly how I rigged up the ratchet strap around the control arm but it was fairly straightforward.
It was a cheap ratchet strap so it was not a super high load rating .

It took some persistence before it eventually slid into place ; the rubber bush internals can look like they are stretching out of the mount as the load is applied so keep an eye on it.
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Someone mentioned that the HEX bar size on some aftermarket control arms is suspect so might be worth checking the width with a vernieer and comparing with the original before proceeding.

There is a thread on Aftermarket wishbones with @bix et al but I'm not sure how to share it ..!

Cast Wishbone Replacement - Aftermarket Meyle

Just wanted to share my experiance of a Meyle cast front wishbone. Check it before you wreak it! I've sent it back for a refund after wasting a rainy morning on my drive with it and destroying a couple of ratchet straps in the process. Can anyone enlighten me please if this is just a faulty part...
www.a2oc.net www.a2oc.net
 
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Raymie said:
Someone mentioned that the HEX bar size on some aftermarket control arms is suspect so might be worth checking the width with a vernieer and comparing with the original before proceeding.

There is a thread on Aftermarket wishbones with @bix et al but I'm not sure how to share it ..!

Cast Wishbone Replacement - Aftermarket Meyle

Just wanted to share my experiance of a Meyle cast front wishbone. Check it before you wreak it! I've sent it back for a refund after wasting a rainy morning on my drive with it and destroying a couple of ratchet straps in the process. Can anyone enlighten me please if this is just a faulty part...
www.a2oc.net www.a2oc.net
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I did check when they arrived original and new measured 19mm across the flats, the hex in the bush measured 18mm
 
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Sootywg said:
I did check when they arrived original and new measured 19mm across the flats, the hex in the bush measured 18mm
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Just done a double check on sizing. The new ones are closer to 19.5mm!. So perhaps a little fettling is required before trying again. From the threads I have read I thought it was the cast ones coming in oversized. Need to check the fabricated ones as well
 
Yes some filing required on the hex plus grease plus copper hammer.
 

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Stan H said:
Yes some filing required on the hex plus grease plus copper hammer.
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The manual warns against greasing the hex, as this leads to the hex turning inside the bushing rather than the bushing flexing and doing its job

There’s a special lube that dries and goes tacky, though possibly washing up liquid could be used
 
Today I finally finished work on the FSI I bought from @Ami, it’s been up in the air for over 2 months now, set back by a myriad of small developments. I’ve done the cam belt/ water pump, removed the intake manifold to clean the flaps and valves and repair the snapped vacuum actuator, replaced the rusting pressed wishbones with cast, and a fair few smaller bits and pieces. On a brief test run it drove beautifully, all warning lights gone, ready for an MOT on Wednesday, it’s first in almost four years!
IMG_7494.jpeg

Photo from a few days ago
 
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Indi said:
The manual warns against greasing the hex, as this leads to the hex turning inside the bushing rather than the bushing flexing and doing its job

There’s a special lube that dries and goes tacky, though possibly washing up liquid could be used
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The poly bush I used (see image) actually swivels in the centre section, the outer remains in place. The solid cupra ones I used on the Fabia I doubt would have moved if I greased them. I used oil on those, what a job to get those bushes in the casting as well as the hex.
 
Stan H said:
The poly bush I used (see image) actually swivels in the centre section, the outer remains in place. The solid cupra ones I used on the Fabia I doubt would have moved if I greased them. I used oil on those, what a job to get those bushes in the casting as well as the hex.
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I've used that poly bush in the past and it failed.
Problematic as wishbone released from bushing as bush is designed too short.
 
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Indi said:
Today I finally finished work on the FSI I bought from @Ami, it’s been up in the air for over 2 months now, set back by a myriad of small developments. I’ve done the cam belt/ water pump, removed the intake manifold to clean the flaps and valves and repair the snapped vacuum actuator, replaced the rusting pressed wishbones with cast, and a fair few smaller bits and pieces. On a brief test run it drove beautifully, all warning lights gone, ready for an MOT on Wednesday, it’s first in almost four years!View attachment 120015
Photo from a few days ago
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All the best with MOT should be good with your workmanship Indi.
 
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Picked up some plastic trash wheel arch liners off the side of the road and got to work with the rivet gun and tin snips

20240301_162202.jpg
 
Fitted some Blue bulbs to improve the lights and appearance. LED main beam, fogs and sides and osram blue boost for the low beam
 

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