(T) About to scrap 1.4 ie - rear bushes shot

Hello everybody ,

My wifes Tipo has just failed the MOT on several things , but the killer is the rear subframe mounting bushes. It looks like a pig of a job with the fuel tank and exhaust having to be removed .

I have been reading on the forums that something called a "helper bush" is available that fits over the existing bushes , but the only posts I can see are about people fitting these things to the fiat punto.

Does anybody know if they can be fitted to the Fiat tipo too . Are the subframes similar ?

Any help much appreciated

Many Thanks

seems like they are a punto only part due to a possibly weak bush, which doesn't seem a problem in other fiats with similar (but not the same) layout e.g. tipo/cinq etc.

sorry can't be much help, not had much experience with suspension components.

Thanks for the reply ,

I phoned the local fiat garage , they said the same thing , that these bushes are a Punto part , but I'm going to pop down there tomorrow to see if they will fit the Tipo .

I don't really want to scrap the old girl , but the time and effort to replace these bushes is more than the car is worth , especially with the other items on the MOT failiure notice . If I can do a patch up job for another years motoring I will be happy.

Perhaps I should of got hold of a can of spray on mud before the MOT

An update on my previous post .

Checked the bushes at the garage , they are smaller than the tipo bushes so they will be no good.

Also the garage tells me that the proper bushes are not available , and have never been supplied so the only option is to replace the entire rear subframe at a cost of about £400 for the part.

This will not be a cost effective repair for a car which is worth only about £100 , so we have decided to scrap it .

Where are you located?

You know the subframe off a Bravo/Brava will fit? Easy to find in a scrap yard and should see you for several trouble free years as they will be available right upto 2000. Cost a lot less than £400!

Abarelli Autos (Seaford) took me one off a Bravo for £52 inc. carriage. It was immaculate, but it cost a bit to fit.

I've never seen a definitive answer about whether Brava/Bravo front and rear subframes fit the Tipo. Rusty fronts and worn bushes in the rear seem to account for the premature end of quite a few.

At least you might get 2 grand off a new Grande Punto or something....