Technical Flumoxed by clanging rear suspension

[PuntoHowTo]

I've just had a pry bar around the axle bushes but cant get any metal on metal noises, just rubbery creaks. I don't see what else it could be though, I suppose it needs a big load to make its clanks.

Anyway, at least it is nice and sunny! All i need now is an open top eh? I might take a can opener/angle grinder to the roof if the car gives me any more problems lol.

i would not expect you could exert that much pressure with a pry bar but it will give you some idea if there is movement, these should be pretty solid with very little movement at all


the grande cabrio already exists they just never put it into production probably because it was a weird mash up of a 2 seater with a metal folding roof and pick up type back/load area.

They also did a mk2 two cabrio that met the same fate and never went into production.

The mk1 one is the only, the original and the best punto cabrio

of if you want a really good practical cabriolet that is not too expensive, good spec and plenty of parts availability and knowledge... get a Golf Cabriolet Like I did for my daily driver

 

[AnthonyH]

i would not expect you could exert that much pressure with a pry bar but it will give you some idea if there is movement, these should be pretty solid with very little movement at all

I couldn't move the bushes much. Comparing the new shocks on this car to the old shocks on my EVO i can see there is a difference in ride height of about 8-10cm. So the new shocks are going through a longer stroke, this is impacting somehow on the axel bushes I guess.

the grande cabrio already exists they just never put it into production probably because it was a weird mash up of a 2 seater with a metal folding roof and pick up type back/load area.

It looks great from the front, its only when I saw it from the side that I thought oh dear

They also did a mk2 two cabrio that met the same fate and never went into production.

The mk1 one is the only, the original and the best punto cabrio

Your mk1 cab does look good. I'm not sure of your timescales, but it'd be nice if you could get it finished before the end of summer. Then get some drone footage as you drive along a sunny beach or along the side of a mountain. It would be a fitting end to a grand project to have a cinematic view

of if you want a really good practical cabriolet that is not too expensive, good spec and plenty of parts availability and knowledge... get a Golf Cabriolet Like I did for my daily driver

I'm quite attached to the Grande Puntos/EVOs, this may change over time but as I plan on buying another GP/EVO that's a few years away. Maybe I'll turn to the angle grinder to make my own open top after all

 

[AnthonyH]

One thing I have experienced in other Fiats is bushing that look ok but the rubber is weak and gives way under load.

You would get it with mk2 puntos the lower or upper shock absorber bushes would be weak enough that the outer metal would make contact with the bolt holding the shock despite the bush looking ok.

I figured changing the rear axel bushings was too big a job for the level of reward and just left it.

But this week I bought a new rear upper shock mount as a speculative buy to see if it'd make any difference, and it arrived today.

This new mount has a bushing in it, while I haven't fitted it yet, i'm quite categorical the old upper mounts have no bushings! Either they were factory fitted with no bushings or the bushings have disintegrated and disappeared over time. I'll hopefully be able to fit this within a few days and if it quietens down then all I need to do is buy the other side. Fingers crossed!