There is a lot of noise on the forums about changing the rear bushes on these cars, lots of doom mongers out there saying its impossible, buy a replacement beam with good bushes its easier etc.
First things first, this is not a how to as there are many out there, here's one for reference:
Guide to Fiesta MK4/5 rear bushes
This is just a few notes on my experience and to say, YES you can do it yourself!
I've recently changed the bushes in my MK4 and my Puma, it is hard work but you can do it on a drive without 2 post lifts, cuttings tools etc. The secret is to be patient and let the bush puller gently drift the bush out of the arm. its been there for a long time, got nice and rusty so do not expect it to just ping straight out.
My Experience:
1/ Retaining bolts through bush to car
These are HARD work to get out, use lots of WD40 or similar to loosen the nuts. I backed the car onto a pair of ramps (don't forget park in gear, wheel chocs etc.) so I could crack these off with the car very sturdily supported. This was the hardest part on the Fiesta, those bolts were fairly rusted up, take the exhaust off its hangers as it obstructs the drivers side fittings and loosen the nuts.
I ended up using a long bar locked out against the drive and a hammer / spanner combo to get the damn things to shift. Passenger side was fortunately far easier and using a long ratchet with a spanner I could loosen them.
With the nuts cracked support the exhaust with cable ties or rope loosely to its hanging points so you can get the car off the ramps.
2 / Removing the rear beam bolts and dropping the beam
With the car up on stands we now need to finish taking the nuts of the bolts, this was still more fun than expected due to the crud that had accumulated in the threads. I'm not a small guy but this was a free workout that's for sure.
I supported the rear beam on two cheap trolley jacks whilst removing the bolts, once they are finally free use the jacks to lower the rear beam down and towards the rear of the car and rest on Axel stands / bricks / blocks.
3 / Pulling the bushes
Finally we are getting down to business and going at the bushes themselves, this car last had new bushes about 60,000 miles ago so they have had ample opportunity to rust in place.
Using my trusty Ebay bush puller (Fiesta specific cheap job) I started with the drivers side bush, pulling the bush out towards the sill. Assemble the puller around the bush, place a long ring spanner on the inside, resting against the floor to lock the puller. I then used a 400 mm ratchet with a long extension to turn the puller standing by the car, doing it this way allows much more leverage. Slowly tighten the puller, stop to the check the inside is clearing the bush carrier and keep cranking.
If it starts to tighten up stop and take a breather and let the bush work free before continuing Try to rush and you will probably just end up striping the treads on the puller. As long as you have managed to move the bush a bit, i.e. you can feel / see that the inside of the puller is going into the carrier then the bush will come out eventually.
4 / New bushes in
Once you have cleaned up and copper greased the bush fitting, use the puller in reverse to pull the new bushes into place. Don't rush or force the puller as you don't want to damage anything, once the new ones are in, clean and copper slip the bolts before re-fitting.
In true Haynes style, re-fitting is the reverse of removal, make sure everything is torqued up correctly, don't lower the car onto an axle stand, tools, yourself. Check wheel nut torque, don't drive off with your locking key in a wheel (Yes, I have :( twice! ). Enjoy your improved handling, less bumps and bangs on our awful roads.
Other notes
The bush pullers take quite a pounding, threads get damaged, nuts get stuck. Before starting I would recommend getting some good quality spare nuts and washers of the appropriate size and some studding for field repairs.
Also keep plenty of copper slip on the threads of the bush puller, clean off between pulls and inspect.
I didn't fit standard bushes, but didn't go poly either, will cover in a separate entry what I used and why.
As always, safety first, if all this sounds horrific and scary either don't do it, or get someone competent to help you. Cars can be fixed or replaced, people less so!
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DISCLAIMER - Any ideas shared on this blog are provided without warranty and used at your own risk. They are all things I have done and they worked for me, individual experiences may vary, blah blah blah. If it all goes horribly wrong I am not responsible.
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