Hi again,

Not long ago, I was having a problem with a springy/squeaky rear suspension noise when driving over speed bumps (near side only), but not when rocking the car manually. This appeared after replacing rear shocks with a new (old stock, Boge) set bought on eBay.

Shortly before, I had to change the rear top mount shock bushes as old uns had perished. There was no noise at that stage but I did notice that there was excessive bounce on the near side causing the plastic cover to rattle and more thread showing at the spindle end of the n/s shock compared to the other side. Tried different bush but same result.

I thought that because the interior seal on the 'new' shocks might have dried out after being stored flat that was the cause of the problem but after getting a refund and substituting a second set, the same noise gradually reappeared (initially, squeaking could be heard when rocking the car, again near side only, though not the noise you get when handbrake is applied).

Boiling it all down, there seems to be something different about the near side. Checking previous threads (Punto, also Uno?), likely culprits might be:

1) overtightened handbrake clip holding cable to rear axle?
2) rear bushes-not certain if this is referring to top mount shock bushes already replaced or other ones altogether?
3) perished rubber sleeving on coli springs or varying rates of wear in springs themselves causing shocks to behave differently?
4)

Any suggestions welcomed-ta very much-apart from turning radio up louder!

Cheers,

Andy

Hi Andy,

It's SHOCKING that you haven't received a reply!

Firstly, are we talking about an Uno or a Punto? Obviously given the section, I assume it's an Uno, but you did mention the Punto in your post

The 'handbrake cable' issue doesn't really apply to the Uno - or at least, the cable is a different design. The cable outer doesn't flex with the suspension in the same way as for the Punto, because it pulls around a bracket-mounted pulley.

That's a good place to start, though. The bracket/pulley is on the left side and often clashes with the exhaust (especially if the exhaust is oversized or incorrectly mounted). Make sure there is sufficient clearance, and use lithium spray grease (etc.) to lubricate the pulley and its bracket (does pulling the handbrake lever cause a similar squeak?)

I'm a bit concerned about the different exposed thread lengths that you mention. Assuming that the two shock absorber spindles were both the same, I wonder if perhaps one side is missing a washer. I think there should be a large washer on both sides of the rubber mounting.

I suggest getting some rubber-grease (it's sold for assembling brake calipers/master cylinders and is often translucent red) and use that liberally on the rubber mounting when you take apart and reassemble. Don't be tempted to use normal (mineral/lithium) grease on rubber - not worth the risk of perishing. Silicone spray may be OK but won't last as long as proper rubber grease.

I think it is definitely worth taking apart/reassembling to check that both sides are assembled the same and tightened correctly/completely.

The other bush that you're talking about is probably the trailing arm bush - for the torsion-beam axle. Few Uno owners dare to tread there and I have to admit it's probably the only thing I haven't replaced. Chas (1986Uno45S) has replaced them! The photo in the Haynes manual depicts some large and special tool (with a screw thread and a handle) to press the new bush in. (If my axle bushes were stuffed, I'd just change the whole axle - unbolting its mounts from the bodyshell...)

The first thing I'd try is to spray the general trailing-arm bush area (that is, ahead of the wheel, behind a large washer and bolt) with silicone spray. This will do no harm and may silence the squeaking on a temporary/semi-permanent basis. At least it will help to confirm whether that is the cause.

By the way, the softness of the rear shock absorber mounts seems to be pretty typical - they usually 'give' quite a lot, but they should both be the same.

If you're convinced that the squeak may be from the shock absorber itself, why not swap them over when you dismantle/reassemble the top mounts - only two more bolts to undo.

To summarise then, here's my suggestions:
- Check handbrake cable pulley/bracket and clearance to exhaust
- Dismantle/reassemble top mounts to check symmetry, use rubber grease, possibly swap shock absorbers
- Spray trailing arm bushes with silicone spray

On a possibly-related note, my Uno Turbo used to make an awful rattling/squeaking from the back end. It was the rear disc pads - the anti-rattle springs had all broken. A set of new pads cured that.

Hopefully others will point out anything I've neglected to mention

EDIT: forgot your point 3). It seems quite possible that the rubber sleeving on the coil spring ends has worn through. When you remove the shocks to check mountings/swap, just jack the back end up and the springs come out easily. Clean them and if the sleeving is worn through, replace with some clear vinyl (PVC) tubing that you can get from a hardware shop, or plastic goods supply shop, in various diameters and pretty cheap. I think it's sold for aquariums. Or swimming pools - or something... when I see things in hardware shops, I see the potential rather than the intended use

Cheers!
-Alex

Re: Uno rear suspension noise

Hi Alex,

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions .

I will certainly check the clearances for handbrake bracket/pulley and the exhaust as the noise seems to be coming from the near side only.

Re the unequal amounts of shock absorber spindle thread showing, I'm pretty sure the washers are all in place on both sides, which makes it all the more puzzling (could there be more wear on near side where the shock bush meets the car body??), but I will double check to be sure.
I will also dismantle/reassemble the bushes/shocks, maybe swap them over and try the rubber grease you mentioned to see if this does the trick.

The two rubber top mount bushes look the same although I've come across quite a big difference in the depth of the rubber, depending on the make/quality . The near side is a genuine Fiat part; the off side an identical equivalent.

If I needed to replace the axle trailing arm bushes, what would be the tell-tale typical symptoms to look out for (other than a rear suspension squeaking noise!)?

I take it from your reply that the springy/squeaky noise could be caused by the fact that the sleeving has worn through on the coil springs. I was thinking of using rubber inner tube designed for bicycles as a replacement but the clear vinyl PVC tubing option you described sounds as though it would last longer . What do you reckon?

Will let you how things go from here.

Cheers,

Andy

Re: Uno rear suspension noise

capers626 said:

Re the unequal amounts of shock absorber spindle thread showing
...
The two rubber top mount bushes look the same although I've come across quite a big difference in the depth of the rubber, depending on the make/quality . The near side is a genuine Fiat part; the off side an identical equivalent.

Click to expand...

Well - certainly sounds like a plausible explanation then

If I needed to replace the axle trailing arm bushes, what would be the tell-tale typical symptoms to look out for (other than a rear suspension squeaking noise!)?

Click to expand...

Theoretically, if you were having problems with tyre rub only under braking, or something like that, it could be slackness in the bushes to blame. I have to admit that I've never actually seen a case where the trailing arm bushes had to be replaced

I take it from your reply that the springy/squeaky noise could be caused by the fact that the sleeving has worn through on the coil springs. I was thinking of using rubber inner tube designed for bicycles as a replacement but the clear vinyl PVC tubing option you described sounds as though it would last longer . What do you reckon?

Click to expand...

Yes - this possible cause seems likely considering that the springs may have become unseated during the shock absorber replacement, depending on how you jacked the back end up. Inner tube would be fine if you can get the right size, but I think PVC tube will be more durable as you said. Basically, anything that fits would be OK (garden hose?) You could even wrap the spring ends in insulation tape just as a short-term test to verify whether that's the cause of the noise.

-Alex

Re: Uno rear suspension noise

Thanks for the further advice and useful info, Alex.

Re your comment about the different make of bushes being a plausible explanation for the extra thread showing on the shock spindle (near side only).

Well yes and no! It might be an imbalance caused because the 2 bushes are not exactly the same in use (although appear to be identical when examined closely next to each other).
On the other hand, the extra thread is on the near side where bush is a genuine Fiat part (unless it's faulty in some way, of course ).

Will need to swap over the bushes as you discussed before to know for certain .

Cheers,

Andy