hey guys, after doing the front wishbones, I want to start thinking about doing the rear bushes. They don't seem too bad at the moment, it can be a bit hard when on very bumpy roads - unless I have a dodgy shock absorber.


Firstly, when checking the bushes, what should I look for to see if they do actually need changing? I don't want to waste my time or money if they are ok.


Secondly, if I were to change them, what sort of cost should I expect from an independent garage or from Fiat? Is it worth it?

dont bother unless you have
1 oil coming out of the bush (wet look on the outside of the axle)
2 clunking when going over bumps.

the cost is entirely up to you, shadyman will do it for you correctly!! or a garage may bodge it (it took us years to sus the job).

the job is easy if you have the correct tools, which include a set of press tools for the bushes and a hand hydraulic press.

cheers chap, I will have a look but last time I checked a few days ago it looked nice and dry. I do have some banging/harshness from the rear when going over very bad road surfaces, but I suppose that could still be shock absorbers?


Anyway, I will have a look this weekend, thanks for the advice, I will certainly keep Shadeyman in mind

Is Shadeyman still a member on this forum? Not seem him on here for a while.

yeah good point, I am not sure if he is, will check this weekend, though I am not decided yet if I need them doing, could easily just be my shocks - my noise only occurs on a very harsh knock - its fine over speed bumps etc.

Clivvy said:

yeah good point, I am not sure if he is, will check this weekend, though I am not decided yet if I need them doing, could easily just be my shocks - my noise only occurs on a very harsh knock - its fine over speed bumps etc.

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When my bushes went it clonked nearly all the time, going over speed bumps and irregularities in the road. It started just going over speed bumps but gradually got worse.

Phil

ah ok, mines not that bad, its only ever at speed over pot holes etc, and its not a clunk as such, just the shock!

the bushes knocking are a metallic rattle that is more or less constant and a lot louder over potholes etc, so i suspect yours are fine for the time being.
You may find though your springs and shocks are worn, i replaced mine all round last year as the car was grounding out when loaded, the car then sat a couple of inches higher after. my springs had sagged over the last decade

someone on here said it sounds like a block of concrete in your boot, I tried to buy a press tool and no one in the country has one(fiat dealer that is) I even contacted Fiat UK without success. local Fiat dealer wanted about £400 when I took it to me local garage, they had never done one, the popped it up on the ramp and there was no signs of oil, and he got a crow bar and pressed on the subframe and it didn't budge much the guy reconned there was nowt wrong with them, I downloaded the guide on here and took it to him, he made a press tool I bought the bushes and he did the job for £200, I gave him £20 for making the press, and it cured the concrete block sound.

i'm thinking mine are ok then, I dont get anything like that, just a bang when going over bad ruts - like the shockers, so I might get the shocks and springs checked first..

I know mine are gone and I have no oil leaking out of mine unless they went that long ago that the oil has washed off, I know there gone as I have ordered of play in the bush and if you go down the road you can feel there gone