Front Consul Bracket / Bushes Replacement

[willdudeuk]

Hi do my front consul bracket bushes are knackered and need replacing.


What’s the process to replace these please?


I’ve not found it in the workshop manual but shall keep looking.

38492

[Crasher]

I can't remember which transmission you have. You have to remove the wishbone and before removing the inner two rear consul bolts you must fit alignment pins into the outer bolt position to maintain the setting. The two M10 inner bolts go right through the main consul and can snap leaving about 50mm of snapped bolt in the main consul. The rear bushes are supposed to pull off, they often don't. For speed in the workshop we just fit a complete new Febi Golf 6 style arm with ball joint.

[Crasher]

Manual, remember every single bolt is one time only

https://digital-assets.tecalliance.services/images/3200/b02268945788afa5a76aad7afb3437c4cf207503.jpg?ver=3 .42.0.8c18ddf086

[willdudeuk]

Thank you what’s the part number for the Febi complete arm you mention?

[willdudeuk]

Also how are you supposed to replace the part if you have to keep an alignment pin (T10096) in position?

[Crasher]

38180 and 38181 but I have just checked and there is no UK stock of the 38181 at Febi themselves but some dealers may have stock, the prices are all over the place, Aut0doc's price is less than UK Febi dealer buy in price!

[willdudeuk]

Thank you for the part numbers I’ll take a look on *******. ECP have Lemförder for ~£100 (I have sheet steel arms I think).

Makes me think should I just end up polybushing…..a lot of work but is it worth it?

[willdudeuk]

Do febi do a bolt kit as well? Or should I just get original?

[Crasher]

I can't see one listed on that which is unusual but they have a Pro kit for the forged steel and aluminium arms you can use but that's OTT on yours.

2 x N 101 410 03
2 x N 910 398 02
4 x N 105 797 02

[willdudeuk]

Thanks for the part number confirmation.

Regarding the alignment pin T10096 I am still not clear how this is used?

If the alignment pin is in you can’t remove the lower arm?

[willdudeuk]

Going to give this a try today but after advice on the above.

If I remove mounting bracket I can’t put the alignments pins in? So it will lose its position.

Is it possible to remove it in situ whilst still attached to the lower ball joint and front wishbone bush?

Removing this part on both sides means the tracking will need to be done?

Thanks

[Crasher]

You remove the main M12 18mm AF bolt from the rear consul bracket, clean out the brackets bore and fit the pins, then you can drop the rear consul and remove the wishbone. If you snap either of the two M10 16mm AF bolts in the centre section, you have my permission to utter a few well chosen expletives.

[willdudeuk]

So the alignment pins act as guide and don’t lock the bracket in position? You can slide it on and off once the M12 is removed?

If that’s the case (regarding the M10 bolts snapping) I may give it a miss until I’m under a ramp!

Why do the tend to snap?

Is there a technique to removing them? Crack them off with a breaker or use an impact gun?

Thank you for your time and advice as always.

[willdudeuk]

I did manage to get the bolts out without snapping them (but I think I managed to cross thread or cause damage to the larger M12 bolt when removing it with the impact gun as has to rework the thread to get the new bolt in).

Having a hard time sorting out the other side as the front inner wishbone bolt I am struggling to remove. Can get it going initially then locks up and I daren’t start swinging from it with a breaker bar).

The ends that go into the rear consul bush from the wishbone are a nightmare to remove. Had to twist and rotate them
Off and get some lubricant in there. Will wire wheel them and file gently to remove the larger pieces of rust to allow an easier install.

Do these rear consul bushes have any form of adjustment for toe / camber / castor? Didn’t seem to much if any ability to alter the position even without the locking pin tool?

[Crasher]

When you remove the consul main outer bolt you should fit alignment pins or after you will need the alignment checking. Those two inner consul bolts are a real PITA