Maybe so Peat (or is it William? 
), but the front ARB design stinks
), but the front ARB design stinks 
Technical multipla poly anti roll bar bush upgrade
- Thread starter klytus
- Start date
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Technical multipla poly anti roll bar bush upgrade
I'm confused about this taking "15 minutes". I bought the poly bushes suggested and got some guys to help me out at work. Having taken a couple of mm off the bottom, a couple of mm of the sides and top, they are still nowhere near fitting the brackets. The guys were on the job for about 2 hours with the fly cutter, mill, and linisher! Maybe they are just being perfectionists but it didn't look as though the bracket could be forced shut to me. Also, I'm interested to see that you took off the flanges from the top bracket.
Cheers
Cheers
I am a complete mechanic numpty! But even I did this in five minutes. I called superflex who brought up this thread and told me what bushes you guys had been using and I received them the next day. Mega service!
I don't have a linisher which is a good job as I have no idea what one is
I took the brackets apart and used a grinder with a sanding disk in it and sanded the brackets until they were all nice an shiny. I then took between 2-3 mm off the bottom of the bush as any more would have weakened it I think.I also did this with the grinder. I took 1mm off the outer arch of the bush so it fitted in the bracket better and just bolted it back in. I should state that when in your hands it looks like a crappy fit, but the bolts pull it into shape as you tighten them up. I would say the first one took me about 5 mins to shape and the second one about 3 minutes. I didn't cut anything at all. It was all ground away using the sanding disc. The difference is amazing, and there is no vibration as mentioned by a previous poster, and I live in a remote welsh valley where tarmac is optional on the roads around here
Why oh why this topic hasn't been 'stickied' is anyones guess. Come on mods this was on page 5 before I posted. Sticky plzzzzzzzz
I sanded (more polished really than sanded) , but yes I ground off the locating flanges. Took about 10 seconds with the grinder.
hi marc
go here m8 : http://www.superflex.co.uk/results.php?maker=18&man_name=Fiat&searchmodel=96&Search=Go
the part number is: SPF1816/18 quantity x 2
think it works out to £21.33 inclusive
just complete the order form with details and payment etc and they mail u back telling u there on there way to u
peace
Thanks for this thread & particularly the photos (I always need substantial evidence to show me that I can tackle jobs..) - I have now ordered some Super flex Saab bushes SPF1816/18 too. BTW, I couldn't find them on the Super Flex website, either with the above link or by clicking on the Saab sub-link - but got them off eBay for about the same price.
NJB
The website is going throug a major upgrade. You could have rung them and they would have taken your order over the phone as I did.
I needed to do the ARB bushes on my Multipla and contacted Superflex, Chris suggested Alfa Romeo 164 ARB bushes - SF429-1816K at £23.21 for 2 delivered.
These are a little bigger than the standard bushes and after separating the brackets and fitting the new bush, I couldn't get the bolts to engage the thread in the top bracket.
You do need to file the swaging and the hole to make sure both brackets fit together easily.
I took the roll-bar out (again) and did the brackets up about halfway with the bolts (easy with no sub-frame in the way!), secured the brackets with 3mm cable-ties, took the bolts out and refitted the roll-bar.
Bolts went in fine and bush is now VERY snug fit.
Don't forget to cut the cable ties before you do the bolts up:bang:
These are a little bigger than the standard bushes and after separating the brackets and fitting the new bush, I couldn't get the bolts to engage the thread in the top bracket.
You do need to file the swaging and the hole to make sure both brackets fit together easily.
I took the roll-bar out (again) and did the brackets up about halfway with the bolts (easy with no sub-frame in the way!), secured the brackets with 3mm cable-ties, took the bolts out and refitted the roll-bar.
Bolts went in fine and bush is now VERY snug fit.
Don't forget to cut the cable ties before you do the bolts up:bang:
Apologies for dragging this back up...
As I had to drop my front subframe to get my gearbox out (https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/273835-clutch-problems.html), I though this would be a good time to finish my ARB modification.
I've made the second bush and tube now, and split the tube to make the two clamping 'shells'.
I've also made the roll-bar sleeves, and split them...
Need to clean up the bar so the sleeves fit more snugly (they'll be welded in place), but it's nearly there...
Just the mounting hardware to knock-up now...
As I had to drop my front subframe to get my gearbox out (https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/273835-clutch-problems.html), I though this would be a good time to finish my ARB modification.
I've made the second bush and tube now, and split the tube to make the two clamping 'shells'.
I've also made the roll-bar sleeves, and split them...
Need to clean up the bar so the sleeves fit more snugly (they'll be welded in place), but it's nearly there...
Just the mounting hardware to knock-up now...
conanhoward
New member
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- Feb 27, 2010
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I put a new £150 fiat anti roll bar on my multipla 12 months ago and the stupid thing has started knocking again ! this time I am gonna split the joint and try packing down the U shaped bracket and see what happens. if it is a success I will let you all know the details... Conan
Check the droplinks for play before you start, never heard of ARB bushes wearing out in 12 months unless you're doing starship mileages?
Easy way to confirm that is the ARB bushes is to get some rubber grease and get as much as you can on the bushes, car on axle stands and moving the ARB from side to side helps. This isn't a long term cure but it does make it go away for a month or so.
I'm thinking about why they would wear so fast, are your shocks ok? If these were low on oil and not damping as well as they should the ARB would have more to do/
Easy way to confirm that is the ARB bushes is to get some rubber grease and get as much as you can on the bushes, car on axle stands and moving the ARB from side to side helps. This isn't a long term cure but it does make it go away for a month or so.
I'm thinking about why they would wear so fast, are your shocks ok? If these were low on oil and not damping as well as they should the ARB would have more to do/
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I presume that included new bushes?
What was up with the original bar?
Mine's done nearly 120000miles and shows negligible wear, just some flaky paint and a bit of light surface corrosion.
All done now...
Not the prettiest things I've ever made, but they'll do the job...
Ready to fit...
There's enough adjustment in the clamps to take up any wear in the bushes that's likely to occur.
I expect them to outlast the rest of the car...
Not the prettiest things I've ever made, but they'll do the job...
Ready to fit...
There's enough adjustment in the clamps to take up any wear in the bushes that's likely to occur.
I expect them to outlast the rest of the car...
Just received my new droplinks.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360220269692&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1022wt_905
I think I read somewhere about not going for the cheap pattern ones as they don't last long.
For the price though I had to give them a shot :yum:
I'll be packing the 'boots' with grease first though, as they're devoid of any at the moment, although I'm sure they must have been assembled with some before the caps were fitted :shrug:
I'm tempted to try and fit a small grease nipple to each joint...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360220269692&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1022wt_905
I think I read somewhere about not going for the cheap pattern ones as they don't last long.
For the price though I had to give them a shot :yum:
I'll be packing the 'boots' with grease first though, as they're devoid of any at the moment, although I'm sure they must have been assembled with some before the caps were fitted :shrug:
I'm tempted to try and fit a small grease nipple to each joint...
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phillnzo
New member
hi
my multi is knocking like crazy, and have got the drop links ready to fit. as far as the bushes i have seen on ebay one listing has the size as 18mm and another has them as 19mm. on the powerflex website for the marea they are 23mm. what is the correct size and where is the best place to get the best and correct ones i can't handle the noise anymore lol
my multi is knocking like crazy, and have got the drop links ready to fit. as far as the bushes i have seen on ebay one listing has the size as 18mm and another has them as 19mm. on the powerflex website for the marea they are 23mm. what is the correct size and where is the best place to get the best and correct ones i can't handle the noise anymore lol
JamesAtthews
New member
Hi Phil
Having done the detailed procedure a month or so ago, the arb is 18mm in diameter, and the part number from Superflex is sf327-1816K, which is for a Saab 9000, but the 1816 arb number is found across a lot of their bushes.
I managed to do both sides of the car in under 2 hours, and a tip for trimming them, if you don't have a lathe etc. is to put them into boiling water, and then use a sharp kitchen knife to carve them into shape, constantly checking how they fit into the clamps. I tried a stanley knife, and found it useless to cut the polyurethane, it was far better carved with the kitchen knife (don't tell the wife!)
After fitting them, the car was transformed, no more rolling in corners etc, and far quieter over the many potholes and irregularities of our roads.
Happy carving.
Having done the detailed procedure a month or so ago, the arb is 18mm in diameter, and the part number from Superflex is sf327-1816K, which is for a Saab 9000, but the 1816 arb number is found across a lot of their bushes.
I managed to do both sides of the car in under 2 hours, and a tip for trimming them, if you don't have a lathe etc. is to put them into boiling water, and then use a sharp kitchen knife to carve them into shape, constantly checking how they fit into the clamps. I tried a stanley knife, and found it useless to cut the polyurethane, it was far better carved with the kitchen knife (don't tell the wife!)
After fitting them, the car was transformed, no more rolling in corners etc, and far quieter over the many potholes and irregularities of our roads.
Happy carving.
phillnzo
New member
hi
thanks so much for the reply exactly what i needed, am going to have a go at the drop links tomorrow and will get some bushes ordered asap.
i just hope nothing else pops up wrong, the the multi been niggle after niggle lately. most annoying drivers side sun visor fell off lol
thanks so much for the reply exactly what i needed, am going to have a go at the drop links tomorrow and will get some bushes ordered asap.
i just hope nothing else pops up wrong, the the multi been niggle after niggle lately. most annoying drivers side sun visor fell off lol
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JamesAtthews
New member
No worries, I think that's the Italian appeal isn't it, random things just happen. Our rear door doesn't lock with the central locking, yet when you hold the button as you lock it there's resistance? Why, it's because it's Italian....
phillnzo
New member
I've had 2 unos a punto and an alia they are certainly quirky Italian cars. I did the drop links today took all day bloody alan key bit rounded off and I only had a tiny hack saw to get the nuts off. fixed the knocking but at speed the car shakes is it the arb bushes?
JamesAtthews
New member
Hi
Sounds like you've been unlucky, especially with the bolts having allen heads. Mine were just standard 13mm hex, I undid them a bit, stuck a screwdriver between the two parts of the clamp, and hammered away until they came apart. Then it was 2 minutes with the angle grinder to take tolerance fit off, and then out with the knife. Once sorted, I re-assembled it and did the other side.
As for the shaking, I couldn't say as ours doesn't, it's 100% stable at speed. The only thing that this could be is worn wishbone links, the tracking is out, or from experience with other cars, cheap tyres. If the car didn't do this before, it could be the wishbones, which now that you've tightened the arb, any play in the suspension that was previously hidden by the loose arb, is now a lot more apparent. The quick way to check is to get a large flat bladed screw driver, and push it between all the bushes, and then lever the screwdriver. (With the car off the ground) If there is any play, then you'll see the pivoting part move away from the rest of the car. You may also see cracks and missing bits in the bushing if you're lucky.
I hope this helps you.
Cheers
James
Sounds like you've been unlucky, especially with the bolts having allen heads. Mine were just standard 13mm hex, I undid them a bit, stuck a screwdriver between the two parts of the clamp, and hammered away until they came apart. Then it was 2 minutes with the angle grinder to take tolerance fit off, and then out with the knife. Once sorted, I re-assembled it and did the other side.
As for the shaking, I couldn't say as ours doesn't, it's 100% stable at speed. The only thing that this could be is worn wishbone links, the tracking is out, or from experience with other cars, cheap tyres. If the car didn't do this before, it could be the wishbones, which now that you've tightened the arb, any play in the suspension that was previously hidden by the loose arb, is now a lot more apparent. The quick way to check is to get a large flat bladed screw driver, and push it between all the bushes, and then lever the screwdriver. (With the car off the ground) If there is any play, then you'll see the pivoting part move away from the rest of the car. You may also see cracks and missing bits in the bushing if you're lucky.
I hope this helps you.
Cheers
James
