Replacing the Upper A-arm Bushings

willbilly · 25th August 2013, 05:53

Hi folks - I'm currently restoring a Fiat 1200 Cabriolet that is in desperate need of new bushings all around. I ran into an issue with the upper a-arms though. The rubber's been pounded out of them all completely, yet I can't seem to pass the mounting bar through the remaining outer sleeve, nor can I angle the bar out. Is it really necessary to separate the subframe from the body to remove and replace the upper a-arm bushings? (the subframe components should be identical to the Fiat 1100 of the same year (late 1950's - early 1960's)).

SS-Traveller · 26th August 2013, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by willbilly

Is it really necessary to separate the subframe from the body to remove and replace the upper a-arm bushings?

No.

Do you have the workshop manual for the 1100D? If not, perhaps you can send a private message to members Rehaan or manishalive or Shiva for a scanned copy of the same.

Jaggu · 27th August 2013, 13:19

Would you have a picture of the arms to have a better idea please?

Sutripta · 27th August 2013, 21:02

Hi,
Along with a picture, can you pls. confirm that you are having the same problem on both sides. Else one side can act as a guide for the other side.

Regards
Sutripta

msaudf · 27th August 2013, 21:44

http://www.hitchhiker.org/fiat/Work_Log/subframe7.html

I found this website about a Fiat 1500 being restored. This link is about reassembly of the front suspension.
I hope this is the model we are discussing about. some pics to confirm.

willbilly · 27th August 2013, 23:30

Hi all,

Sorry for the late reply. I seem to forget my new password every time I rest it.

@SS-Traveller No, I don't unfortunately. I have the parts catalog, but I haven't yet found a workshop manual. Any information for these vehicles, or even the ones it's related to, are scarce here in the States. Thanks for the leads, I'll pm them. It'd be real handy even if msaud's link pans out.

@Jaggu & @Sutripta I certainly will as soon as I get back home from the shop - I don't know if I'm going to have the same problem on the other side - I've only pulled apart one side, since I shoved the lawnmower in between the other side and the wall.

@msaudf Thank you sir! It's close, mine is a slightly earlier model, but I think the only difference is the body shell. With any luck, I'll be able to figure it out from that.

msaudf · 28th August 2013, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by willbilly

Hi all,

Sorry for the late reply. I seem to forget my new password every time I rest it.

Hey if you are in Dallas you could speak with Aaron Kaufman from Gas Monkey Garage, I heard they help out with stuff like this.

25th August 2013, 05:53	#1
willbilly Newbie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Times	Replacing the Upper A-arm Bushings Hi folks - I'm currently restoring a Fiat 1200 Cabriolet that is in desperate need of new bushings all around. I ran into an issue with the upper a-arms though. The rubber's been pounded out of them all completely, yet I can't seem to pass the mounting bar through the remaining outer sleeve, nor can I angle the bar out. Is it really necessary to separate the subframe from the body to remove and replace the upper a-arm bushings? (the subframe components should be identical to the Fiat 1100 of the same year (late 1950's - early 1960's)).
	() Thanks

27th August 2013, 13:19	#3
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,905 Times	Re: Replacing the Upper A-arm Bushings Would you have a picture of the arms to have a better idea please?
	() Thanks

27th August 2013, 21:02	#4
Sutripta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,668 Thanked: 6,217 Times	Re: Replacing the Upper A-arm Bushings Hi, Along with a picture, can you pls. confirm that you are having the same problem on both sides. Else one side can act as a guide for the other side. Regards Sutripta
	() Thanks

27th August 2013, 21:44	#5
msaudf BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cochin Posts: 269 Thanked: 163 Times	Re: Replacing the Upper A-arm Bushings http://www.hitchhiker.org/fiat/Work_Log/subframe7.html I found this website about a Fiat 1500 being restored. This link is about reassembly of the front suspension. I hope this is the model we are discussing about. some pics to confirm. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

27th August 2013, 23:30	#6
willbilly Newbie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Replacing the Upper A-arm Bushings Hi all, Sorry for the late reply. I seem to forget my new password every time I rest it. @SS-Traveller No, I don't unfortunately. I have the parts catalog, but I haven't yet found a workshop manual. Any information for these vehicles, or even the ones it's related to, are scarce here in the States. Thanks for the leads, I'll pm them. It'd be real handy even if msaud's link pans out. @Jaggu & @Sutripta I certainly will as soon as I get back home from the shop - I don't know if I'm going to have the same problem on the other side - I've only pulled apart one side, since I shoved the lawnmower in between the other side and the wall. @msaudf Thank you sir! It's close, mine is a slightly earlier model, but I think the only difference is the body shell. With any luck, I'll be able to figure it out from that.
	() Thanks