Hi All

I've had my 500 multijetD since June and all was OK up until about a month ago when things started going pear shaped

It had its 40k service and I've been quoted £300 by Fiat because rear suspension bushes have failed. Apparently, I can't just have the bushes replaced because they're part of the shocks, so I've got to have the whole thing replaced. Is that right??

I've had a quick look in the usual online places and there seems to be rear bushes available to buy as spare for about £15 each, not that I really know what I'm looking at, though.

So with new brake pads and shocks I'm currently looking at a £400 bill!

Got to get it done as the rattling from the back is pretty constant and awful. Not to mention the fact that my radio has gone wrong and started asking me for the code (which I dont have - as the car came from a 2nd hand dealer who had very limited info on it) so I'm currently driving 1.5 hours to work with my headphones in to drown out the chatter!!!

Thanks in advance

A quick glance at Mr Haynes book doesn't even list the bushes as a separate job.

From what I have gleaned from these forums, you seem to be lucky to have had the shocks last so long.

As it involves less work to actually replace the whole shock, might be better to have that done instead. You'll have to do both sides though. Not an overly difficult diy job if you feel so inclined.

Good luck!

PS - radio code should be on a little card called a passport tucked into your manual wallet. You have all the original books that came with the car? Failing that - if you have the chassis no. etc, it might be possible to get a radio code back, as the unit is linked to the car. Or is that wishful thinking?

It's simple to replace the rear dampers. Remove the wheel, undo the top and bottom bolts, fit new damper, put bolts back in.

Buy some from a motor factors, but whatever you do, don't buy the avo dampers as they rattle from new.

Welcome to the forum. Ridiculously common problem and fitting Fiat dampers will only mean that you have the problem again in the future.

19-184104 is the part number for the Bilstein replacements and they're 49.13 each from http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/...ers)&product=Bilstein B4 Gas Pressure Dampers


I'm just having a couple of Bilstein rears fitted to my Panda 4x4 which had the same problem, will let you know what my independent charged my when I pick it up But suffice to say it won't be costing me £300...... Also, you're probably being ripped off for the brake pads, you can get better quality brake parts online and have them replaced FAR cheaper than the dealership will do.

FWIW our 500 had the same problem, though under warranty.

Maxi - I appreciate it would be foolish to replace the rear shocks with more suspect Fiat parts - but do you have to go to Bilstein level? For example, Shop4Parts offer shocks with a TOP branding for much less.

For an average user, is it worth considering these or other less expensive shocks?

the bilstein b4's are still pretty cheap though. I think they were only 10-15 quid a damper more expensive.

What, essentially, would be the main plus points for these B4's over a cheaper shock? I'm on a learning curve here.

Bear in mind that my driving is (much) more the JR Kitching variety than Jason Noiles!

Bilstein's are a good quality damper basically. Less likely to fail. Panda's back end feels great now

I bet!