Punto (Mk1) rear axle assembly front-end bushes

[davethedumperdumper]

Help ! We've just bought a lovely Punto Mk 1, it's due for MOT test but the rear axle assemble front bushes are totally knackered. Mr Haynes (he of the famous manual) says that I have to renew the complete rear axle assembly :-( Any good ideas? I am an experienced fettler and occasional bodger and would love to prove Mr Haynes wrong. Any comments would be much appreciated. It would be a crying shame to give up on such a brilliant little car......
All the best
Dave

 

[flisko]

if rear bushes are bad they sell rubber cups which bolt over the exsisting ones, you dont even need to jack the car up

not the cheapest one but just so you know what to look for
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mk1-FIAT-PUNTO-REAR-AXLE-SUSPENSION-BUSHES-NEW-/271054554606?hash=item3f1c1c45ee

 

[davethedumperdumper]

Hi Flisko, thanks for taking the time to help me out. As expected it failed on the radius arm (swinging arm?) bush, the long one where the arm is joined to the chassis. Sorry to be a nuisance but I can't see how the bushes you've shown can work, do they just fit over the existing bolted assembly? Sounds to good to be true
All the best,
David

 

[flisko]

if you failed on rear arm (is tire tilted outwards/inwards on failed bush?) its easier and faster to replace whole axle as rear arm bolts are usually rusted inside and will move only when heat is applied, or they can be removed with ease, you cant know till you try

 

[davethedumperdumper]

Thanks again. Will have a go......