Recently there's been a loud knocking from my rear suspension. I took my back wheel off last night to have a quick look and it seems that the whole of the spring has detached from the car. Where the springs joins the car seems to have completely worn away compared to the other side.

Has this happened to anyone else and is it an easy job to fix? I've had all the front done (springs, track rod ends etc...) at a considerable cost, but this looks more serious.

Top (subframe) or bottom (trailing arm)?
Pictures?

Top, subframe.

I can get a picture later in the week. I never thought to take them at the time.

There's a pressed steel 'turret' that's spot welded to the main subframe pressing. It's the black bit just left of centre in this photo:



Unfortunately, this turret is in thinner gauge steel than the main part and as it creates an almost-closed void inside, can suffer badly from corrosion. If it's gone, I don't see much alternative but to fit a replacement subframe, unless you can find a metal fab shop who are very handy with a folder and welder.

New subframes don't come cheap - if you're on a budget, one from a breaker may be the better option.

BD! You're back! How's the poorly Multi?

Thanks for the info WideMouthFrog. Just had a look and the part alone is £400 (£800 from Fiat). Ouch!!

It is a big job but totally doable for a diy mechanic. The bushes are available from a2z autos in Dewsbury West Yorkshire. It takes a bit of dismantling but if you are confident then you should have no probs. You can either have the bushes sweated in,heating the sub frame up then pressing them in. Or by compressing them with an home made puller. If you live in the north east I would be happy to help…If you need any further help just ask… I know me and wide mouth frog have done ours.

ooops miss read your post!!! sorry...