Technical Marea trailing arm bushes - cost?

[andym79]

Hi

I have a loud knock coming from the off-side rear suspension when going over potholes etc (Marea weekend 110jtd, 80k miles) and I suspect it is the front trailing arm bush which looks a bit worn. Does anyone have a rough idea of the cost of changing these bushes? Would you replace all four bushes at the same time?

Have had a new clutch/flywheel, a blown core plug, auxiliary tensioner, new MAF, front shocks and wiper motor in last six months so an expensive year already !

Cheers in advance

Andy

 

[Hellcat]

Front axle or rear? You have confused me with the part about trailing arm. The rear suspension is trailing arm... the front is McPherson strut and wishbone.

If you mean the front - then the bushes are not separate from the arm. So you replace the whole lower arm.

If you mean the rear - then there is only one bush at the front. It's easier to replace the whole arm depending on your competence at DIY & access to tools.

 

[andym79]

Thanks for your reply, sorry I should have been clearer - I meant the subframe bushes at the front of the rear subframe, the trailing arm itself seems ok. When the car is jacked up there is a clear 1cm gap between the subframe and the chassis. I have seen the bushes on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAREA-BAV...CarParts_SM&hash=item4cf3f5a8f5#ht_968wt_1163

Clearly the bushes are quite expensive in themselves and I suspect it is a pig of a job but wondered

(a) what a garage might charge to do it i.e. hours of labour involved
(b) as a temporary/budget fix is there anything I can stuff anything into this gap e.g. gripfill??!

Cheers

Andy

 

[Hellcat]

Subframe bushes are typically not available from Fiat - so an interesting find there on ebay. Most people replace the subframe from a scrapyard.

It's a drop fuel tank and exhaust job minimum. Disconnect brake lines and handbrake - ABS too. I'm heading to a garage this afternoon so I'll ask them for a rough idea of cost.

 

[Hellcat]

Subframe bushes are typically not available from Fiat - so an interesting find there on ebay. Most people replace the subframe from a scrapyard.

It's a drop fuel tank and exhaust job minimum. Disconnect brake lines and handbrake - ABS too. I'm heading to a garage this afternoon so I'll ask them for a rough idea of cost.

 

[andym79]

Cheers Hellcat be interested to know what they say but it looks like trying to pack the gap might be the better option. Cheers

 

[Hellcat]

Garage said it would take 4-6 hours, and possibility of trouble with swing arm pivot bolts and ABS sensors/brake lines breaking when being removed.

Said they have managed to fit an alternative bush (without removing the subframe) to make a suitable repair. Took about an hour. Done a lot on the Puntos. I don't suppose you're anywhere near the North East are you?

 

[andym79]

Sadly not - I'm based in Bournemouth! But that's very useful and perhaps something I might attempt myself, failing that I'll pass the info on to the local garage. They didn't happen to specify what sort of bush they managed to fit?

 

[Hellcat]

Nope, just a rubbery one.

 

[mareaisaplane]

Rear subframe bushes are available in plenty of brands like Meyle and others. To remove them you need to drop the whole subframe because they are pressed from the top, it's not too hard to hammer them out.

 

[varesecrazy]

12 years later..that Marea may be dead

 

[mareaisaplane]

12 years later..that Marea may be dead

I have a Marea and its driven to this day everyday has not broken ,alot of things are repaired but thats to be expected for an old car. Its an amazing car they dont make cars like this anymore