My Punto failed its MOT last week on the rear sub-frame front bushes, I rang motor factors they said it would be a days wait to get them, so I rang fiat dealer they had them in stock, when I went to get them they said we only do this repair thing that goes over the top of the old one, it was just a big rubber dish type thing, I said you cant do that they said we fit them all the time, I said no thanks and went and ordered some from the motor factors,
I had to make a tool out of 2 bits of square bar and 2 pieces of tube and a 6” bolt easy as a local friendly metal works gave me the bits an cut them to size and drilled a 12mm hole in the bars, they would not take any money!
Once I had made a tool to press the new ones in it was a tem minute job each side, you just have to jack up the rear of the car and put it on stands take wheels off then undo 2 bolts lower the sub-frame tap the old bush out with a chisel then press the new ones in with a special tool, put the sub-frame back up re fit bolts repeat on the other side job done. So I have no idea why fiat sell these bodging rubbers I told the MOT guy about them and he said that they would just cover the problem up not cure it. They were the same price as the proper part was.


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I'd like to say I'm surprised, but I'm not. [V]

www.forzafiat.com

There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.

I think that gives evidence of why Fiat has a poor reputation.

Sad isn't it.

My first signiture (a lot of thought put into it): If you can't find the switch to switch your fogs off I am sure I can help you! Damn fogs.

In support of Fiat, not all dealers are like this. Out of interest, are you going to name the dealer Dave?

www.forzafiat.com

There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.

I can name them if you like but all dealers will sell them they are a Fiat part they don't do the proper bush! The only alternative if i wanted to use Fiats own parts was to buy a complete new sub-frame for £400.
They are d. salmon cars colchester. They are also a saab dealer. www.dsalmoncars.co.uk no fiats on thier website!
I Don't think its the dealers fault thought they can only sell what the car manafacture supply, at least they sell something i suppose, i had an 8 year old rover a few years ago and wanted a new water pump seal but rover had stopped making the part!

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That is shocking. I'm going to email Fiat UK to see what they say.

www.forzafiat.com

There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.

i can imagine the headline: fiat car bodge horror shame rap

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!

my dealer seems to be very nice and friendly and i havent a bad thing to say about them. they are quick and efficient and have delt with me in a good manor. Only cvomplain i have is that the car park is too small

I Have A Cinq Sporting...

...Click Here To Look At It

It wasn't the dealers fault like i said they can only sell what Fiat tell them to, they were quite friendly it was only the parts man, but he did say that they fit them, so if any of you have had this job done by a dealer or any other garage check to see what they have fitted.

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Both my locals (Priory in Manc and Express Factors (Rayrigg) in Lancaster) are abysmal..

Oh, is this tool a generic press, could it be used for any of these bushings...can yu stick up a photo with approx dimensions? I have the feeling mine may need doing soon!

Tom (AofB)

GrpN Catback Exhaust system is here...just need to get the bleeder on now!!

YES I photo it and can put it up if someone will host the photo for me, if not i can email pic,

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I'll do it (host \link to) the pic!

My email is in my profile IIRC, if not, [email protected]

Tom (AofB)

GrpN Catback Exhaust system is here...just need to get the bleeder on now!!

ok ill take pics tomorrow as i have no flash,

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photos sent check mail

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the reason theres no fiats on there website is they have 2 here is the fiat one, it don't look like they have put so much effot in this on as there saab one.
www.dsalmoncars.fiat.co.uk



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Thats the standard Fiat website they supply when the dealer can't be arsed.

www.forzafiat.com

There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.