308 suspension bushings

I recently had my 308 GTS in for its major service. The technician noted that the car creaks in the rear, which I have also noted, and inaccurately, had the dealership replace the rear shocks thinking that would solve the creaking problem. Unfortunately, it didn't and the dealership rep called me saying that the tech mentioned replacing the suspension bushings as they are dry and brittle and would most likely cost in the area of 10K dollars. My car is 31 years old and I am planning on restoring her. She is in excellant condition with the exception of old age. I am in the military and I am moving to King's Bay, Georgia in two months. Does anyone from the forum have any contacts in the GA or FLA area where I can ensure my car can get the love it needs?

Kevin

 

Some years back a bunch of us went for a group buy on suspension bushings. With some searching you can find threads on replacing them. It involves grinding the welds holding the existing bushings in place, pressing in the new bushings and the tack welds to hold them. Not all cars are in urgent need as mine are still uninstalled, but sounds like yours can benefit from the replacement. The bushings come in two sizes and it's easy to get the wrong ones so be cautious on the purchase.

 

You might find that the creaking is something quite simple like a sway bar bushing or connecting link bushing. Some careful and intelligent diagnosis might let you solve the creaking problem without having to spend $10K on a full suspension rebuild (which your car may not need right now). I haven't used mechanics/dealerships much because I do my own work generally, however, my impression is that many are more interested in generating some revenues and profits than just fixing what might actually be broken.....

 

10K dollars to replace suspension bushings? Man oh man, I'm in the wrong profession.

 

About a days work with about $500 worth of parts,thats some mark up.Hey fly me to the US and I'll do it for half that

 

Make sure you post in the GA section. At the very least, find a good independent shop. $10K is a RIPOFF!!!!!!!!!!! I did a FULL suspension rebuild, including a new steering rack, springs/shocks for around $3K in parts and a couple weekends of work. (The parts breakdown is in this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195212)

JIM

 

The suspension bushings are VERY easy to do if you use the Energy Suspension aftermarket ones. No grinding and welding. Read this

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49955

 

If any of the suspension on my Alfas creak (not clunk) I jack it up and check the rubber,if its rotten it will have to be replaced but if the rubber looks intact,I spray it with RP7 or WD40,dont know what its called in America.Returns the rubber to a pliable condition without side effects.10K is that in dollars???

 

$10,000 for that is bull****.

I would LOVE to see an itemized written estimate - parts AND labor (hours required) to justify that money.

 

I'll do the job for $8K

Creaking rear is as the technician stated probably just dry bushes - they are not maintenance free and not well sealed against moisture and dirt. I pulled the rear A-arms, greased the bushes and re-assembled, took a couple of hours if that and cost $0 - not heard a creak for over a year, but intend to look again in a while as we have weather over here

Lee
'77 GT4

 

Boy, that group buy was a huge fiasco. ES makes good bushings, but have horrible customer service.

 

Did the group buy deal ever happen?

Do you know if ES makes steering rack bushings?

 

It happened, but half of the bushings we got were the wrong ones. Initially, ES said they would exchange them and then they refused. Big headache because there were something like 30 sets.

I think they make bushings for the SR but not sure, check out their website.

 

I paid $230 and have a box of them still in plastic wraps. Never double checked the outside diameter id to insure I got the 2 sizes I need.

I have 8 marked 13.3101G and 8 marked 13.31102G and little Energy Suspension lube tubes packed in with them. The 01's have a solo rubber bushing packed in with them.

Never did anything because my mechanic said my car was in good shape and didn't need them replaced (yet).

Don't remember the hassle except I sent some of mine off and got another set returned.

 

Yup, those sound like all the right ones to get.

 

Actually, I think they should just be one size. I'm pretty sure the smaller ones are the ones you want all they way around. I think the larger ones are for a TR. Initially, ES said they would exchange the incorrect ones for the correct ones (since they were the ones who said we needed 2 different sizes). They did exchange some, then changed their minds. I think about a third of the group got theirs corrected, while others just had to buy the correct ones.

 

Damn,
Tell you what Im in the US Marines station in jacksonville nc you send that car up to me and Ill take car of your suspension bushings for less than that damn thats a rip off.

 

Ditto -- the 308s only use the 30mm size.

 

A 308 uses 16 of the 13.3101G (2 each for upper & lower A-arms/wheel). ES should have given you 8 of them in exchange for the wrong sized 13.31102G.

One of the better prices for the 308 bushings is:
Suspension Restoration Parts
http://www.suspension.com/ferrari.htm

The best deal is $260 for 2 sets of 8 B13.3101-G w/o outer metal shell, then see Birdman's post on re-using the OEM outer shell.

 

Funny-I called them and was shocked they couldn't tell me which ones i needed for a 1982 308 GTSi....

He actually said I need to take my old ones out and measure them!! I said really?....You can't tell me which ones I need? He said because they are hand built they are all different......This is a business you guys deal with?

 

So ... You don't know what you need, but it's the other guy's fault?

 

I am going to take his side. All 82 308's use the same bushings and as a parts seller he should know what the car takes. Am I supposed to tell the doctor or dentist what I need? Thats their job.

Its also why I am selective on where I buy my parts. I don't have time for people who try and make their job my job.

 

So ... You don't know what you need, but it's the other guy's fault?

Seriously?

You know every part and measurement of your car?

If there are 2 choices of bushings (13.3102 or 13.3101) - I would expect he could say which is the correct one, he is in the business and he has already sold to guys on this forum, No? Do you take your car apart first before you order the same part?

Is a "Hand Built" car come in all sorts of sizes ? Come on.......

I'll be sure to call you first!
Ferrari Front or Rear Control Arm Bushing - 30mm Shell O.D.
PART NUMBER: 13.3101
MANUFACTURER: ENERGY SUSPENSION
Fits many different models.
Shell O.D. Measurement: 30mm
Replaces OEM. Part #:111616
Sold as single bushing in each kit purchased

Color: (?)
Black
Red
Exclusive for DST Customers: (?)
Free Lifetime Warranty Upgrade
Price:$22.25
Front or Rear Control Arm Bushing - 34mm Shell O.D.
PART NUMBER: 13.3102
MANUFACTURER: ENERGY SUSPENSION
Fits many different models.
Shell O.D. Measurement: 30mm
Replaces OEM. Part #:154539
Sold as single bushing in each kit purchased

Color: (?)
Black
Red
Exclusive for DST Customers: (?)
Free Lifetime Warranty Upgrade
Price:$26.69

 

That's a fair enough point. When it comes to someone in the business of actual Ferrari parts (ie, Ricambi, et al), I hope/do expect that they know what the car needs, doesn't need, has been superseded, etc. For generic parts such as like the Energy Suspension bushings (which may work on a lot of different cars) - or anything at a local parts store - I've seen everything from "we don't know" to having to almost fight with the parts guy to give me what I was asking for, not what their computer was saying I should be sold (really, that was an odd store visit).

But of course, you've done this for decades and know which suppliers are worth your time ... and which are a waste of time. I just kind of assume they won't know, until I learn otherwise. I dealt with (nameless) for the first time a few months ago; I expected a far better experience than it turned out to be. Live and learn, I suppose.

It was a light-hearted reply. But the answer is no, of course not.

If I've never ordered the part before and/or am unsure what needs to go there - yep, I've done that. I rebuilt an LS motor last week; I believed the crank was stock and not .010, but until I measured everything I didn't order the bearings. In other cases - no. I don't pull plugs in the 308 until I have replacements, as I'm already 100% on what I need to order.

 

One of many really outstanding reasons I don't use aftermarket generic junk. No bushing for non competition use is as good as the original design.