General Abarth issues- only a few!

[iandaman]

Ok aftering taxing and insuring my s reg 1998 seicento sporting abarth and fixing the majority of small issues i am left with two others that are ticking me off after my test run:

1- It steers really easy to the right but is harder on left turns? Is there an obvious syptom? is it a common fault? Will getting the tracking done help?

2. The other thing is the knocking form the rear. After searching the forum i have come to the conclusion it is the bushes. Question is, is there a way of being 100% sure its them before i spend the money and time fixing them with the powerflex ones. Any tips or links to threads would be appreciated.

If i find it is them wheres the cheapest place to buy?

Thanks in advance regards

Ian

 

[rallycinq]

Have you got a power column?

To check the bushes you need to get the car in on ramps. You can't properly check if the suspension is dropped. Get under and look for metal knocking on metal.

Cheers

D

 

[fingers99]

For the other: you'll know it has power steering 'cos there will be a little steering wheel icon that will come on when you turn the key.

If it doesn't have power steering (and even if it does), there are lots of possible suspects, but tracking is a good place to start. I'd be inclined to take it into a place that does tracking and explain the symptoms.

 

[iandaman]

ok well ive just dashed outside. It doesnt have powersteering. I thought it might have been tyre pressure initially making it heavy but im not sure. If it doesnt have powersteering then i guess that can rule out a dead motor or similar?

im so sure its the bushes but dont really want to spend the money if not so again- i will go to the garage. Im jacked the car up from behind earlier and had a quick look but the bushes looked fine. Ive heard people commenting that even though they look good they may still be screwed so not 100% sure what to look for? Will them putting it on a lift help?

Do people know of any threads ( im sure there is a guide) on fitting powerflex bushes?

Regards

Ian

 

[fingers99]

No guide, but:

first, find somewhere with a hydraulic press -- your local factor will know somewhere. Decide whether you want original type bushes (much cheaper) or powerflex ones. The quickest way to get the old bushes out (by a long, long, way) is a hydraulic press. You'll need a hydraulic press to get the new ones in if you use the original type. The powerflex ones just push or bop in.

Having decided (Fluffy the Impaler on Club Cento stocks both types at sane prices) and ordered, here goes.



One side at a time, undo the rear hub nut and washer, if fitted. Remove rear wheel and put the car on axle stands. Handbrake off, disconnect the handbrake cable at the hub end. Pull off the brake hub. Inside the hub, next to the axle, you'll see 2 hex head, 2 cap head bolts. Remove them. Using a screwdriver, release the rigid brake pipe from the trailing arm. Using mole grips/ploiers, remove the metal clip where the solid and flexi pipes join. You can now remove the whole brake assembly as one peice from the hub. Support it on bricks or suchlike so you don't stress the flexi. Slacken the top shock absorber bolt while counterholding the nut. Do the same at the bottom but remove the bolt entirely. The spring will now come out. Remove the two large bolts holding the trailing arm. Renew bushes, replace everything.

Haynes helps with the details.

 

[iandaman]

Thanks for everyones replys! cheers fingers.

I have just discovered a bomb shell after deep thought at work and im deeply pissed off by it. The reason the steering was lighter left than right was due to the fact a small knock on the front ( before me, which i knew about) has pushed a part inside the arch in. On full lock this hits the tyre. Its definetley that and im gutted. I planned on replacing the bumper with the crack later but it seems the metal bumper may need replacing?

OK so new questions- anyone selling a 98 grey seicento sporting front bumper ( i preume abarth and sporting are the same)

- Has any one else had this? it looks like the smallest of dings- It hasnt affected the wing but appears to have cracked on the bumper were the bracket connects.

Im sad!