HELP Abarth 500 rear external clonking noise....

[johnycarrera]

Please help.

Car owned from new is a standard Abarth 500, covered 20000 miles since 2009.

Recently developed a clonking from rear and was wandering a bit, thought it was bushes worn or something, put it into Arnold Clark Abarth Springburn Scotland. They said the rear shocks were knackered and replaced them under my extended warranty.

Car now drives great again, however it did nothing for the clonking noise, put it back in and they stripped it down and put it back together saying they are stumped and "sorry too bad". They say they've encountered it with loads of cars and even called in an Abarth expert who couldn't find it.

Definitely sounds metallic as though something's loose or a bush is worn.

Any ideas anyone? They do seem keen to help but they're stumped

[bertiedee]

Sorry, cant help, but would suggest a look at the abarthisti site which is very helpful.

[johnycarrera]

Cheers pal I posted on there too

[Prolex-UK]

It will probably be the shock absorber upper bushes that are fubared

[johnycarrera]

Cheers for that, my letter of complaint has spurned them into action, would have thought they'd have been replaced with the damper assembly but will check

[SimianWonder]

The bushes are usually part and parcel of the shock absorber itself, (Fiat don't supply them separately) so I'd be surprised if they've replaced the shock absorber without replacing the relevant upper bush as well.

[Lagerlout]

What exhaust have you got on it? The hanger mounts can go and cause knocking, normally side to side. Grab the exhaust and give it a wiggle, if it knocks it's likely coming from where it goes over the rear suspension as the hanger there deterioates quickly.

[johnycarrera]

Hi, it's the standard exhaust and all is solid, I'm positive its a suspension/ bushing issue.

Anyway since lodging an official complaint, AC seem to be bending over backwards (at least verbally) wanting to help!!
It's getting worse daily, the engineering can't be that complicated, will update once I get to the bottom of it.
Such a shame as I love the quirkiness of the car just not the reliability!

[johnycarrera]

A week in the garage and some shiny new steering arms fitted.............


Still clonking like a bd, most unreliable car ever

[jith]

johnycarrera said:

A week in the garage and some shiny new steering arms fitted.............


Still clonking like a bd, most unreliable car ever

I'll have a look at it if you want johny. If I don't fix it you don't pay.

J

[johnycarrera]

jith said:

I'll have a look at it if you want johny. If I don't fix it you don't pay.

J

Hey that's very good of you jith, its going back in yet again under warranty, but if they can't sort it I will definitely have to try someone else!

[johnycarrera]

Car sorted thanks to my Porsche specialist!!!

As I suspected from the beginning, it was bush related.
The standard rear carrier bushes are liquid filled hydraulic items and totally inadequate for the Abarth.

Got them replaced with Powerflex items £30 and it has totally sorted the clonking with absolutely no side effects. Car feels more stable and controlled but not overly stiff.

Happy its sorted now, but not surprised the dealer (AC) were incapable of basic engineering diagnosis.