General Worn wishbone control arm bushes

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General Worn wishbone control arm bushes

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Mar 22, 2012
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Hi folks
Has anyone replaced their wishbone / lower control arm bushes? I can’t seem to find the parts, does the entire control arm need replacing?

Here is a video of my current issues, I asume it’s worn bushes? 1.9 sport.

[ame]https://youtu.be/pWChoqxhROo[/ame]

Thanks
 
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Thanks you both. Wow £174 each ? I’m probably going to do them myself unless there is anything particularly ‘fiat’ about them haha
Thanks very much for the pointers, I looked around and could only find the whole arms so this makes sense I really appreciate your help confirming this.

Is it advisable to do the anti roll bar bushes also at the same time, they are deteriating too. Also is it advisable to do drop links also, at least one has a split in too ?

Thanks again
Si
 
Thanks you both. Wow £174 each [emoji44] I’m probably going to do them myself unless there is anything particularly ‘fiat’ about them haha
Thanks very much for the pointers, I looked around and could only find the whole arms so this makes sense I really appreciate your help confirming this.

Is it advisable to do the anti roll bar bushes also at the same time, they are deteriating too. Also is it advisable to do drop links also, at least one has a split in too [emoji849]

Thanks again
Si
I replaced those bushings, I woudent do it again. You can find complete new ones with bushings installed for as low as around 60€. Check out retailers as autodoc for example.
 
The original bushes and ball-joint are TRW.
I've replaced mine with TRW parts and they were good for about 5 years.
You can find them separately sold by TRW, and for about 50gbp you'll have good as new control arms, if you don't mind doing a bit of work.

In reality only the back bush goes bad....and maybe the ball joint.
Of course, get all the parts so you can have them at hand when doing the job.. also have some paint.. and sand paper+wire brushes... as you're removing them.. there's no better time to paint them, fight back the rust.

TRW part code for the rear bush: JBU744
TRW par code for the ball-joint: JBJ807


The original ball joint is riveted onto the arm... you grind them down, then knock them out. The new one comes with nuts and bolts (the nuts should be on the underside of the arm (twords the ground) else they will interfere with tightening the ball-joint pinch screw)
 
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Thanks aurick86 - really good info. I’m probably inclined to replace the entire wishbone, I’m only a simple DIY mechanic but it looks easy enough. How easy is it to reattach the ball joint?
Is the whole job doable jacked up on axle stands?

Does anyone have experience replacing anti roll bar bushes?

I think these are the ones but can’t find a part number - https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=13475&sku=318921

There are also these listed for same vehicle that look indentical but they also have other listed as fitting that look different.
https://m.euspares.co.uk/parts/tedgum/8522208

Thanks again for all your help ??
 
ARB=anti roll bar
LCA=lover control arm
Replacing the ARB bushes is more involved that replacing the LCA (or LCA bushes).
There is a strap that i think is spot welded in place... you'll need to use a cold chisel to get it out (i might be wrong).
Get some pictures and prove me wrong :)
For the ARB bushes you need to get the right bushes for the right diameter bar.. there are quite a few bars out there 17,19,21mm (there may be others).
Measure the bar you have (use calipers) the search the web.. Fiat Stilo ones are the same... just make sure you get the right size.

There is no Fiat part code for the ARB bushes.. as they recommend replacement as a complete unit (bar + bushes)


LCA is totally doable alone on jack stands.. i've done it.... basic set of wrenches and sockets, hammer, and a pry-bar
You can cut the old one out with a hack saw... and getting the new one in sin't that difficult especially if you have access to a wise.... or even easier if you can rent/borrow a bush/bearing puller.

If you want to buy the whole LCA.. get some from a recognized good quality brand(TRW, Lemforder, SWAG, etc) . No point in installing crap.
 
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ARB=anti roll bar
LCA=lover control arm
Replacing the ARB bushes is more involved that replacing the LCA (or LCA bushes).
There is a strap that i think is spot welded in place... you'll need to use a cold chisel to get it out (i might be wrong).
Get some pictures and prove me wrong :)
For the ARB bushes you need to get the right bushes for the right diameter bar.. there are quite a few bars out there 17,19,21mm (there may be others).
Measure the bar you have (use calipers) the search the web.. Fiat Stilo ones are the same... just make sure you get the right size.

There is no Fiat part code for the ARB bushes.. as they recommend replacement as a complete unit (bar + bushes)


LCA is totally doable alone on jack stands.. i've done it.... basic set of wrenches and sockets, hammer, and a pry-bar
You can cut the old one out with a hack saw... and getting the new one in sin't that difficult especially if you have access to a wise.... or even easier if you can rent/borrow a bush/bearing puller.

If you want to buy the whole LCA.. get some from a recognized good quality brand(TRW, Lemforder, SWAG, etc) . No point in installing crap.

Thank you so much for the advice it’s great thanks. I forgot about the Stilo, I have been browsing those forums just, lots of info over too thanks.

Is it possible to do each side bush of the ARB at a time with removing it completely? Is the spot weld under each bolt hole of the mount holding the bush onto the bar as in this photo? It sounds difficult, may need to get some help but I asume once separated the mounting bolts hold it all back together?
Cheers
Si
 

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Check last posts

https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/347088-my-bravo-1-4-t-jet-120hp-maranello-rosso-5.html

I changed ARB bushes, holder is not spot welded, its pressed around nuts one piece with other

IMG_20180703_113547.jpg


IMG_20180703_113540.jpg


IMG_20180703_113536.jpg


I had one anti roll bar from Delta 2008., so i could dismantle ARB holder by drilling nut seat. Dismantle holder on car id rather difficult, as said, chisle and hammer. Anti roll bar is not round on place where ARB bushes are, it id "side pressed" and dimensions are 16x21

IMG_20180703_182914.jpg


SO you need, 18-19mm center hole bushes
 
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Great info and lots of DIY tips!!!

Check last posts

https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/347088-my-bravo-1-4-t-jet-120hp-maranello-rosso-5.html

I changed ARB bushes, holder is not spot welded, its pressed around nuts one piece with other

IMG_20180703_113547.jpg


IMG_20180703_113540.jpg


IMG_20180703_113536.jpg


I had one anti roll bar from Delta 2008., so i could dismantle ARB holder by drilling nut seat. Dismantle holder on car id rather difficult, as said, chisle and hammer. Anti roll bar is not round on place where ARB bushes are, it id "side pressed" and dimensions are 16x21

IMG_20180703_182914.jpg


SO you need, 18-19mm center hole bushes
 
Hi again, just for the purposes of keeping this thread useful and interesting I have uploaded a video of just how worn my particular bushes are (this is the same both sides)


I'm going to replace them (once I'll fully recoverd from a hospital procedure I had recently) then see how it sounds and handles before I take on the anti roll bar.

I might do a video at the same time since I've learnt a lot about this suspension system as a whole whilst I've been housebound researching haha, it might be useful for others since the Bravos are now reaching that age these things are going to start needing replacement.

Cheers
 
This last video is a bit misleading.. that movement is pretty much normal even with new bushes.
It's in the design of the bushes.. they have a lot of give.
 
This last video is a bit misleading.. that movement is pretty much normal even with new bushes.
It's in the design of the bushes.. they have a lot of give.

Sorry if its not clear from the video but the bushes are completely torn, I was putting no force on that pry bar at all, thats with the front jacked up, just listen to them also :( Even underneath they are all split, I couldn't do more or take any better videos (in my current condition) I just want get some penetrating oil in there ready for when I'm fit enough to tackle it :)
 
Just an update and a question again regarding this one.
Replaced wishbones today (with a bit of help) the rear bushes both completely failed and torn, ball joints had slight play but nothing too bad.
Car drives and feels so much better and had got rid of 80% of the strange noises.
I still have a grinding metal sound when on full or half lock around a roundabout, it’s only faint and goes up and down depending on speed and as if it’s like the brake disc cover catching something but only when turning.
I still get the squashy sound when going over speed bumps which I though was wishbone bushes? Appears not.
I need to change the wishbones first but still something isn’t right. I might give up and take it to garage.
I had really severe wear on very outer left tyre also almost on the side.
Could it be a shock? Or just need new alignment now it’s got new wishbones?
Cheers
Si
 
The squash sound over speed bump is the bum stop on the shock's shaft.. it moves slightly..and makes that annoying noise.

It does that because some dirt+ grease.. and road junk.. that gets impregnated into the rubber bump stop.... can only really be solved with replacing the bump stop...cheap part... but quite a bit of work... and it will squeak again after 1-2 years...even faster in wet/rainy climates.

Tires worn because of bad alignment... i'd replace the ball joints ... then get an alignment.
 
Thanks folks.
Yes actually that makes sense, I was just hoping the new control arm (including ball joints) would have solved all my problems. The squash sound has been there for ages, I can live with it knowing it’s nothing serious.
I don’t want to get new tyres and allotment done until I’m absolutely sure there is nothing else suspension wise that needs replacing.
Car still pulls to the left when driving but it did that even before and after wheel alignment 2 years ago.
Tie rod ends maybe?
 
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