Front suspension bushings

[pluktv]

Hi everyone
I bought a set of 8 bushings from Auto Ricambi with the intent of replacing the front wishbone bushings. However, after reading up on this forum on how to go about this task, I am starting to get a little nervous. I am at best an OK home mechanic that prefers fixing motorcycles but likes to tackle most things.
I have just replaced the rear shocks, replaced the brake seals, brake lines, timing belt etc, no real problems as yet, but Jays (4uall) write up on his suspension rebuild frankly is terrifying - I don't want to spend the next few months buggering up my good working set up and lose valuable Spring driving time and several hundred dollars, but I also DO like to at least have a pop at stuff and educate myself at the same time.

I don't have a spring compressor, can I get by without one? The ball joints have already been replaced by the p.o so I don't need to worry about them. How long should this job take a Fiat specialist mechanic to do, although it goes against the grain to take it in. (And yes, He knows his stuff)
Ideas, thoughts...
Phil

[4uall]

Hey Phil just as an FYI to clarify my issues were a combination of receiving of incorrect parts from you know who along with little to negligent maintenance from previous owners as well as my own (if I knew then what I know now etc). That being said the amazing guys at Autoricambi along with almost everybody on this forum you will get all the help you need

PS I did not have to use any spring compressor. Just used this video and these instructions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1akqSJE0ss

http://www.autoricambi.us/cgi/commerce. ... ement.html

[DieselSpider]

Line up the replacement boots for the ball joints before you begin as using the fork to separate the joint will most times tear them rendering the rubber boots useless.

The control arm bushings usually last a long time and are often changed with the ball joints. If you are not having any looseness I would just do the sway bar bushings and leave those on the control arms alone until they actually do need servicing especially if the previous owner replaced the entire arm as many do when replacing the ball joints as the control arm bushings will also be fairly new too.

[djape1977]

no need to dismantle anything but silent blocks themselves. very few tools are necesary, spring compressors definately not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hutJTk6Fawk

[vandor]

>leave those on the control arms alone until they actually do need servicing especially if the previous owner replaced the entire arm as many do when replacing the ball joints as the control arm bushings will also be fairly new

With the poor quality of the bushings that come in most new arms, the arms being newish is no guarantee for good bushings.

[DieselSpider]

>leave those on the control arms alone until they actually do need servicing especially if the previous owner replaced the entire arm as many do when replacing the ball joints as the control arm bushings will also be fairly new

With the poor quality of the bushings that come in most new arms, the arms being newish is no guarantee for good bushings.

Grew up with if it ain't broke don't fix it. If they are not problematic and an inspection shows them good why replace now instead of waiting until after you get your moneys worth from them which may not be until the ball joints next need replacing.

Why just assume that they were poor quality? Look first and if still serviceable leave them be. I know I am a cheap Sicilian however every time you open the ball joint you expose it to dirt and corruption and chance reducing its useful life.

[Ramzi]

Grew up with if it ain't broke don't fix it.

In the spirit of safety and full disclosure.... I think that rule does not apply to the front suspension of the Fiat 124. From the days of the ball joints which nearly killed customers - (refer to Thad Kirk's ball joint essay) to sub standard Lada control arms being sold - I think most would agree that if you put your loved ones in a car the moto might better be. "Don't wait until it's broken" - or "Make certain that it doesn't break"

I certainly do not want to do work more than once because of poor quality or dangerous components... But Im old.

Ramzi
Auto Ricambi

[pluktv]

Some good info and videos. I now feel that I will have a crack at it myself... maybe next year, I have a ton of house related stuff to tackle anyway. Truthfully the bushings have no movement in them at all, they just don't LOOK good. I am also a believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" The last couple of posts have reinforced this.
I don't have a heated garage so I will have a really, really good look at them when the temp gets back up to around freezing and decide then.
Has to be said Ramzi, there does seem to be an issue with sub-standard parts floating around...

Cheers

[vandor]

> Grew up with if it ain't broke don't fix it.

If you looked under 100s of Spiders in the last few years like I did you would know that most are 'broke'.

>Why just assume that they were poor quality?

Because there has been only one manufacturer of Fiat Spider control arms in the last 10+ years and their bushings are of poor quality.

[fiatfactory]

.

[DieselSpider]

> Grew up with if it ain't broke don't fix it.

If you looked under 100s of Spiders in the last few years like I did you would know that most are 'broke'.

>Why just assume that they were poor quality?

Because there has been only one manufacturer of Fiat Spider control arms in the last 10+ years and their bushings are of poor quality.

So it then does not matter who you buy them from as they are all the same? If the quality is that bad why sell them at all as most would be better off just putting quality bushings and new ball joints in their existing control arms instead of buying new control arms that are so poor in quality that they need rebuilding before they are safe to use. What am I missing here?

[vandor]

> So it then does not matter who you buy them from as they are all the same?

The last 2-3 years we have been replacing the bushings that come in them with the bushings we also sell separately.
AFAIK we are the only ones that do that, so yes, if you buy them anywhere else they are all the same.

[djape1977]

interesting bit is that original suspension bushings usually last well over 100.000kms, regardles wether it's fiat 124 or lada, and all others last anywhere from 10-50% of that lifespan. what they were made of? unobtanium?

[DieselSpider]

interesting bit is that original suspension bushings usually last well over 100.000kms, regardles wether it's fiat 124 or lada, and all others last anywhere from 10-50% of that lifespan. what they were made of? unobtanium?

Seems more like the replacements are being made of Ricotta Cheese. In reality probably recycled tin cans and tires.

[124JOE]

I bought delrin bushings yrs ago. ruff ride.
however rubber ones seem to trash out quick on me
last yr I bought a new aarm it came with rubber
and I just threw it on,
as I don't drive it as much as I would like