I recently changed my front subframe along with the lower arms, steering rack tie bars and track rods ends etc, at the time I did have new ARB mount bushes but didnt fit them as the brackets seem to be welded together

I now have a slight knocking and I suspect its probably those original ARB bushes

knowing whats involved to lower the subframe again to get to them I guess that it will be easy enough to do

but, are those brackets welded? can they be seperated as they enclose the bushes.

I cant find the metal brackets on their own for sale, otherwise I would buy new and just fully cut old ones off.

if you have done this job, to replace OE bushes or put in polybush, please let me know ta

My boy's Punto is at his house on the other side of town just now or I'd have popped out and had a look at it. However I do see that the Haynes manual states - Page 10.6 section 8 under removal of anti-roll bar para 3 "Undo the bolts securing the anti-roll bar clamps to the front subframe". They don't actually illustrate this but it's one of the first operations detailed - before they talk about loosening/undoing stuff like the rear engine mount, steering rack, rear subframe bolts etc so my guess would be that the hex fixing goes right through the subframe and is accessed from the bottom of the subframe (ie a bolt going right through it maybe?)

Have a look at this detailed guide by GrandePunto PL - it shows how the brackets separate.

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/487032-swaybar-links-bushings-swap.html

Hopefully you could change these without lowering the subframe again?

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

My boy's Punto is at his house on the other side of town just now or I'd have popped out and had a look at it. However I do see that the Haynes manual states - Page 10.6 section 8 under removal of anti-roll bar para 3 "Undo the bolts securing the anti-roll bar clamps to the front subframe". They don't actually illustrate this but it's one of the first operations detailed - before they talk about loosening/undoing stuff like the rear engine mount, steering rack, rear subframe bolts etc so my guess would be that the hex fixing goes right through the subframe and is accessed from the bottom of the subframe (ie a bolt going right through it maybe?)

Click to expand...

thanks, but I already know how to get the ARB off the subframe, I have just swapped it from one subframe to another

Pickwick said:

Have a look at this detailed guide by GrandePunto PL - it shows how the brackets separate.

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/487032-swaybar-links-bushings-swap.html

Hopefully you could change these without lowering the subframe again?

Click to expand...

I was quite brutal when I had bar on the bench, but the two halves were not coming apart. I will try again but with heat and more industrial strength swear words

levemircento said:

thanks, but I already know how to get the ARB off the subframe, I have just swapped it from one subframe to another

Click to expand...

Oh, I get it now! sorry, never having done one I didn't understand.

levemircento said:

I was quite brutal when I had bar on the bench, but the two halves were not coming apart. I will try again but with heat and more industrial strength swear words

Click to expand...

Found this post ...

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/302194-anti-roll-bar-bush.html?p=3035455

... says the two halves are pressed together ... brute force is required!

... and a bit more about the overall procedure here

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/301953-powerflex.html?p=3036172

thanks

I will sort it

needs, like I said earlier, a damn good thrashing! at the time I swapped it I didnt have a lot of time to spend on it, the two parts of the bracket didnt want to part so I just refitted it.

not had a proper chance to get this job sorted but in a brief spell of sunshine this mornign I thought I would put it on ramps and have a wiggle about to see if I could feel or see any play.

Well, good job I did, the left side Drop Link is proper worn, and its only around 18months old, lots of play in it.

new pair ordered.

Only 18 months old - what make were they?

I think they were from ECP

have bought some better quality ones this time!