Ok - So I have had a knocking noise under my footwell in an Alfa 156 V6 2004 (73,000km) that only appears over bumps and when the car is cold (ie it goes away somewhat after 30-40 mins of driving).
The lower control arms were showing wear so I had them replaced.... still knocking
I have ordered upper control arms and drop links from the UK that have arrived (genuine alfa) and will get these put on next week.
But in the mean time, I took my 156 to Pedders who did their 28point check and only came up with 2 problems with the suspension, the upper control arms had a small amount of play and the steering rack as well. They said the steering rack could make a knocking noise too! It appears steering racks are a big job to replace, re-condition....
Any thoughts on what it is more likely to be? and is it better to save some money and get both dealt with at the same time?
I havn't heard of a problem with the steering rack before, re knocking noises.
I too have had a knocking noise in the front end of my 156 for a while now. It doesn't seem to affect how the car handles, but like yourself, I too have bought new (original) uppers for mine out of the UK, from EB Spares. I will be interested to see if that gets rid of the noise or not. I was advised to replace the tops first, rather than the lower arms.
I also bought some new front sway bar bushes as my car tends to get squeaky when it is not raining. Again I am hopeful this will solve the problem. Thereafter I am going to replace the shockies in my car as they are definitely tired and EB can do me a set of 4 Bilstein B4s for around 240 UK pounds plus shipping.
Will be interested how you go in sorting out whether or not the rack is also contributing to such noises.
:( damn you have the same problem - the knocking is getting on my nerves... you're right it doesn't affect the handling.
Re steering rack: in addition to Pedders this concerned me - http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt/129961-faulty-steering-rack-156-v6.html
Re: shockies - Check out shop4parts.co.uk they have both aftermarket and genuine Alfa parts - with postage it worked out cheaper than anyone in Aus for me.
Yes I suspect so. The noise in mine too seems worse first thing in the morning, but at times you will still hear it even after some distance. Mostly a problem on rougher road surfaces. Mind you the other half's beemer also has such noises from the front of her car.
Thanks for the link to the other forum. I made a note of all the other possible noise sources, in case replacing the upper arms doesn't solve the problem. The track rod ends certainly sound like they too could be a culpret.
Thanks also on the headsup on the other site re shockies. I too had come to the conclusion that buying them locally was going to be expensive. I previously had been quoted well over $1K for either konis or bilsteins, while around $800 for Boge. Hence was most impressed with the price for bilsteins from EB Spares.
Good luck in solving the clunking noise in your 156.
Most of the time its the top control arms, and here is a thought, if the factory ones are wearing out at 75-100 thousand kls, has any one tried non genuine top control arms, there are some on ebay at the moment for $130 for both, with a 20,000kls warranty sold by auto chassis kings, Colin.
why? they are only like 50 quid genuine... can be had for less at other UK vendors, around 40...
btw, alfa doesn't make them, but there are like 2-3 oem makers for it, but some of the off brands are pretty bad....
IIRC trw is among the best of them.
http://www.ebspares.co.uk/PNF/PNF.cfm?id=/alfa_156/Original_Top_wishbone_Left/info.cfm&CFID=555830&CFTOKEN=8df8ce2c4aa6cdcb-6034A3FD-155D-210D-9B712B628A848A48&jsessionid=f03069dd97546d56c1268445542412d797b4
Quote from: Choderboy on August 04, 2011, 07:57:56 PM
did you swap the sway bar linkages?
Getting done next week. Droplinks and sway bar links appear to be the same thing. 8)
Quote from: wankski on August 04, 2011, 11:33:07 PM
btw, alfa doesn't make them, but there are like 2-3 oem makers for it, but some of the off brands are pretty bad....
I've heard the same, and some are shocking supposedly.
Well, it's getting booked in! Better not hear a peep out of this car for a while... In the last 2 1/2 years I have had:
- battery problems
- 12V socket stop
- wiper blade problems
- indicators jam
- fuel gauge lying!
- now this knocking noise
The joys of owning an Alfa! ;D
Btw - does anyone know what would cause the 12V socket to stop? It's not the fuse and I haven't gotten around to sorting it yet :D
Quote from: colcol on August 04, 2011, 08:36:09 PM
Most of the time its the top control arms, and here is a thought, if the factory ones are wearing out at 75-100 thousand kls, has any one tried non genuine top control arms, there are some on ebay at the moment for $130 for both, with a 20,000kls warranty sold by auto chassis kings, Colin.
Hey Col, yes I know I was looking at these on ebay, but when I got in touch with EB Spares, and discussed it with them, they advised me they won't stock the generic brand ones as they had a lot of problems, recalls with them over in the UK. Besides at 48 quid a piece for Alfa parts and a little extra for delivery it seemed a no brainer to me. The other thing too is that EB advised that you need to replace the top bolt and nut when changing the top arms. The ebay seller doesn't have these nor mentioned this.
6 quid for a couple of sway bar bushes seemed pretty decent price too to me, ditto what they quoted for the Bilsteins. Sure glad my 156 has been pretty much trouble free and so reliable.
Thanks davidm1750, i was curious as to what these non genuine parts were like as they had a 20,000 warranty, most of the time genuine parts are the best, but sometimes you hope someone has worked out how to make the control arms last more than 100,000k, Colin.
After I too had knocking noises in the 156 (107,000k) I just had my uppers, lowers and anti-roll bars (sway bars - including PU bushings) replaced by Maranello pur Sang who did a tremendous job. Just had it at Winton today - and tight as a you know what!
Hi,
I've got some front suspension noise now in my 156, at 117k. I wonder whether Alfa are more prone to suspension bush wear than other manufacturers vehicles by virtue of designing for roadholding, feel, lightness of unsuspended parts. Perhaps they all wear the same but Alfa drivers notice these things more :) Regardless, at least Alfa have revised the parts, and I'm its due to owner comments, rather than warranty claims.
The EB Spares prices look pretty inviting. Looks like I have another job to look forward to in Spring.
You can purchase replacement PU bushes for the top wishbones, which apparently work quite well: http://ebspares.co.uk/PNF/PNF.cfm?id=/alfa_156/Superflex_replacement_bushes_for_top_wishbones/info.cfm&CFID=1223000&CFTOKEN=5478d696da776485-A165A9ED-155D-210D-9BA0D957DF536F7B&jsessionid=f0308115e798818a999b301979c1a4e1f495 (http://ebspares.co.uk/PNF/PNF.cfm?id=/alfa_156/Superflex_replacement_bushes_for_top_wishbones/info.cfm&CFID=1223000&CFTOKEN=5478d696da776485-A165A9ED-155D-210D-9BA0D957DF536F7B&jsessionid=f0308115e798818a999b301979c1a4e1f495)
However this doesn't address the balljoint if that is worn, and if you spend the time getting to the top-wishbone, you might as well replace the lot.
If the car has done over 100k, I'd also recommend during this whole process to replace the shockers as well. Alfisti.net have currently a good price on the Eibach pro-suspension kit which is highly rated - for well under AUD$1000.
Hi Jayarr, not too sure about that or not. My partners '97 3 series BMW has suspension knocks in the front, and it has slightly less than my 156. My car has had knocking sounds for possibly the last 2-3K but will be sorted very shortly once I can get it to my mechanics, given I have the parts now.
I suspect in reality it is more to do with the inbuilt obsolescence of most cars rather than simply being an integral aspect of Alfa design characteristics. The late model Audi A4 wagon I had a ride in today also had a number of knocks and squeaks coming from various parts of the car.
Hi imcpaulm
I'm also in the process of replacing my upper arms, lower wishbones and sway-bar drop links, and have a couple of questions for you:
- did you go for the non-genuine items at shop4parts?
- did you also order new top nut & bolt, and new bolts for the lower wishbones?
- I see you're in QLD - who is installing the parts for you, and what have they quoted for labour?
If you'd prefer not to answer these publicly I'd really appreciate a quick PM.
Many thanks
Rory
Hey imcpaulm, you said you had battery problems,what sort of battery problems, i am interested in what brand of battery's Alfa drivers use in their 156's, 12 volt socket, it is quite easy to pull that flip down lid out and check out the wiring on the ciggy socket, i replaced mine with a twin socket from Jaycar that don't have lighters, but fit GPS's and MP3 sockets better and the sockets don't fall out, wiper blade problems, what the normal chattering wipers, i replaced mine with over the counter at Repco blades and they worked a treat and it was one of the easiest jobs i ever did, indicators jamm, no idea, mine are still working ok, maybe spray some silicone spray into the switch for a bit of lubrication, fuel gauge lying, obviously your fuel gauge thinks its in Politics, keep us updated with all your dramas, Colin.
Hi Rory,
Apologies for taking a couple of days to get back to you.
Quote from: L4OMEO on August 11, 2011, 12:56:18 PM
- did you go for the non-genuine items at shop4parts?
I went for the genuine items at shop4parts... they came with the Alfa Original tags on them too which was reassuring. I have heard non-genuines can be problematic and not last as long.
Quote from: L4OMEO on August 11, 2011, 12:56:18 PM
- did you also order new top nut & bolt, and new bolts for the lower wishbones?
I didn't order a new top nut and bolt :-\
Quote from: L4OMEO on August 11, 2011, 12:56:18 PM
- I see you're in QLD - who is installing the parts for you, and what have they quoted for labour?
I have been going to an Alfa Specialist at Southport on the Gold Coast - they are called Revolution Automotive. And have said it will be a flat 3 hours to do the upper control arms and sway bar links which will be $330 for labour. I am guessing you may find it will take an extra hour if you are getting the lower control arms done as well.
Quote from: colcol on August 11, 2011, 08:21:11 PM
Hey imcpaulm, you said you had battery problems,what sort of battery problems, i am interested in what brand of battery's Alfa drivers use in their 156's, 12 volt socket, it is quite easy to pull that flip down lid out and check out the wiring on the ciggy socket, i replaced mine with a twin socket from Jaycar that don't have lighters, but fit GPS's and MP3 sockets better and the sockets don't fall out, wiper blade problems, what the normal chattering wipers, i replaced mine with over the counter at Repco blades and they worked a treat and it was one of the easiest jobs i ever did, indicators jamm, no idea, mine are still working ok, maybe spray some silicone spray into the switch for a bit of lubrication, fuel gauge lying, obviously your fuel gauge thinks its in Politics, keep us updated with all your dramas, Colin.
Hi Colin,
- Battery - I had to get the RACQ to come out and recharge my battery twice because it was dead in the morning despite nothing being left on. It turned out the be a dead battery cell and eventually stopped working when it was at the mechanics. I don't remember the brand (it was in italian) but BatteryWorld spent about 30 minutes just trying to get it out and fit theirs in. They said Alfas and Audis are the worst to try and fit batteries.
- 12V socket - I have checked the wiring, it appears fine, it's all neat with those plastic connectors that simply snap together. Haven't worked out what it is yet.
- Wipers - yes mine chattered something terrible, almost skipping across the glass. I spent $200 and 3 brands of wipers before I found the cheapo 1980's style silicone $9 brand from Supercheap fixed the problem.
- Indicators - the indicator moved fine, but the actual lights would jam on to the right or left. It turned out it was actually the electric switch that had to be replaced and was located behind the driver's airbag in the steering wheel.
- Fuel Gauge - I have run out of fuel twice when it says there is still 1/4 of a tank! So it now gets filled up shortly before it gets that low...
However, when the car is operating properly and doesn't have a vendetta against me it is a dream to drive. I'll be sure to let you know of anymore happenings.
Hi Imcpaulm
Thanks for the great feedback and PM. Would also be very interested to know if the car drives any differently once everything's replaced, make sure you post some further feedback once you've had a chance to assess it.
Cheers
Rory
Quote from: L4OMEO on August 16, 2011, 01:24:44 PM
Would also be very interested to know if the car drives any differently once everything's replaced, make sure you post some further feedback once you've had a chance to assess it.
So the car work was done yesterday... and I picked it up last night - it seemed to be quieter but a little noise here and there. I thought the real test would be after leaving it overnight.
I have taken it for a drive and it seems the problem is STILL there. There is probably a 50% improvement (maybe that's me being optimistic?), but a definite knocking/clunking over bumps under by feet, felt mainly at the heels. The only thing I haven't gotten done is the sway bar itself.
No doubt the knocking will work its way back to how it was before.
I give up - I have now spent $1600 of money I don't have trying to fix it!! >:(
- Ps the car doesn't appear to drive any differently.
Sorry to hear that lmcpaulm. Looking at the thread - so you have replaced the upper and lower wishbones and the sway bar links. Did you also replace the sway bar bushings? The bushings have been known to deteriorate there, however you need a good Alfa mechanic who knows what they are doing as there is a bit of cutting and welding work required to do this - apparently Alfa never offered the bushings as a replacement part; instead requiring alfa owners to replace the entire sway bar with bushings attached.
Quote from: bix on August 17, 2011, 11:00:37 PM
Did you also replace the sway bar bushings?
No I didn't :-\
I spoke to 2 alfa specialists that said it was more likely to be the upper control arms or sway bar links. Appears not.
Anyone know approx how much sway bars are in Aus? And what the labour time would be? if it is another 3 hours to do it then I don't have the cash.... I can't be sinking 2-3k into a car just to work out where a clunking is coming from.
I definitely don't want to be in the same situation at this guy which I posted before! http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt/129961-faulty-steering-rack-156-v6.html
If you have replaced the upper and lower control arms, were they genuine or non genuine parts from ebay, THERE is a difference, also the control arm bolts should be relaced as well, the sway bar bushes can be replaced, don't go and buy a complete new sway bar assembly, just replace the bushes, the clamps holding them are spot welded, these can be drilled out, and the bushes can be purchased off ebay or through aftermarket Alfa Romeo spare parts places, these are the things that i would do first, Colin.
Quote from: colcol on August 18, 2011, 08:16:04 PM
If you have replaced the upper and lower control arms, were they genuine or non genuine parts from ebay, THERE is a difference, also the control arm bolts should be relaced as well, the sway bar bushes can be replaced, don't go and buy a complete new sway bar assembly, just replace the bushes, the clamps holding them are spot welded, these can be drilled out, and the bushes can be purchased off ebay or through aftermarket Alfa Romeo spare parts places, these are the things that i would do first, Colin.
All parts were genuine and I sighted the original alfa tags on them.
Thanks for that.
The control arms were genuine, thats good, but if there is still a rattle, it could be the control arm bolts, as now the ball joints and control arm bushes are nice and tight, the bolts could be loose on the now new control arms, EB spares recommend putting in new control arm bolts, the ebay sellers don't mention it, as for your 12 volt socket, check to see if it has power going into the multipin plug at the back of the socket, Colin.
colcol is correct. Just replace the sway bar bushes and not the entire sway bar unit - but get a reputable Alfa mechanic to do it.
As an aside, I think I mentioned in this thread that I replaced my upper and lower wishbones a few weeks ago. After these were replaced, I drove it a handful of kilometres only to hear the dreaded knocking noise! I drove it back to the mechanic who checked it out and advised that the rh upper wishbone needed retightening. He advised that the components can take a little while to "bed-in" and then require further tightening.
Hey Bix, did you replace the control arms bolts?, it would be interesting to get a new and used control arm bolt and put them side by side and measure them to see how much they wear, and if they are worth replaceing or not, EB spares say to replace, but they would as they sell them, Colin.
Yes Colin I replaced them as well. They are only an extra couple of dollars extra each, so ideally factor them into the total purchase.
Quote from: bix on August 20, 2011, 02:15:30 PM
Yes Colin I replaced them as well. They are only an extra couple of dollars extra each, so ideally factor them into the total purchase.
That's an interesting point... Do you think it would take another 3 hours to swap the bolts over with new ones? I don't plan on spending $330 for labour in swapping the bolts, but if its something that small I may get it done at the next service which is in about a month.
Ps I had a power steering specialist check out my steering and also the anti-roll bar yesterday who said the steering and rack ends were fine (with no noises) and the bushes on the ARB also look fine (which is what my alfa specialist said when they did the upper control arms).
How many bolts are needed for the upper and lower control arms? Is someone able to give me the EB Spares link and indicate how many of each (so I get it right!)? Thanks
The upper wishbone has one nut & bolt: http://ebspares.co.uk/PNF/PNF.cfm?id=/alfa_156/top_wishbone_nut_and_bolt/info.cfm&CFID=1347629&CFTOKEN=8f7eeb8996689eff-E6F7D620-155D-210D-9B93947695E218FD&jsessionid=f030aa84007ac1c040425a317586c7166417 (http://ebspares.co.uk/PNF/PNF.cfm?id=/alfa_156/top_wishbone_nut_and_bolt/info.cfm&CFID=1347629&CFTOKEN=8f7eeb8996689eff-E6F7D620-155D-210D-9B93947695E218FD&jsessionid=f030aa84007ac1c040425a317586c7166417)
The bottom wishone has 4 bolts: http://ebspares.co.uk/PNF/PNF.cfm?id=/alfa_156/Bottom_wishbone_bolt_set/info.cfm&CFID=1347629&CFTOKEN=8f7eeb8996689eff-E6F7D620-155D-210D-9B93947695E218FD&jsessionid=f030aa84007ac1c040425a317586c7166417 (http://ebspares.co.uk/PNF/PNF.cfm?id=/alfa_156/Bottom_wishbone_bolt_set/info.cfm&CFID=1347629&CFTOKEN=8f7eeb8996689eff-E6F7D620-155D-210D-9B93947695E218FD&jsessionid=f030aa84007ac1c040425a317586c7166417)
I would imagine that they could replace the bolts fairly pain free, but I am no mechanic.
On what basis have the specialists said the ARL bushes are okay? I'm thinking that it would be quite difficult to determine if they are worn based on a visual check.
Cheers,
PB
Sounds like the front ARB to me (sway bar). The bushes can be hacked off the bar and new ones fitted, although from memory that bodge allows for lateral movement still, there are sintered collars on the bar to stop this movement which end up getting wrecked. Check the numerous threads on alfa UK forums talking about it.
Most economic (when i did it) was to simply replace the whole unit with bushes as fitted by Alfa. The bar was cheap (£56?)... Cheaper than frigging around replacing bushes that are not designed to be separated from the bar.
From memory the sub frame needs to be lowered to do this, that the potentially expensive labour bit if your mechanic is non alfa.
The knocking is annoying, I did everything (upper, lower, drop links and ARB) in one hit as the majority cost is labour. Made a huge difference. 60K later and i have a small occasionl knock from the LH front over speed humps when cold... All my bits were OEM so I guess that's just the "Life span".
I replaced the ARBs with Eibach unit which come with PU bushes. They don't come with clamps/collars, so there is a bit of hacking involved.
By the way, the old man never seemed too concerned with the knocking and squeeking coming from the XA Falcon, so I was wondering if Alfa Romeo owners fit any of the following profile:
1. Perfectionists
2. Sensitive new age types
3. Pure anal
Thanks for confirming the bolts bix.
Quote from: Craig_m67 on August 21, 2011, 11:33:55 AM
Sounds like the front ARB to me (sway bar).
Looks like the ARB will be next on the list then....
Quote from: bix on August 21, 2011, 03:37:10 PM
By the way, the old man never seemed too concerned with the knocking and squeeking coming from the XA Falcon, so I was wondering if Alfa Romeo owners fit any of the following profile:
1. Perfectionists
2. Sensitive new age types
3. Pure anal
Probably a combination of 1 and 3. Once you've had an Alfa that drives like perfection it's your aim to get it back to that point again! 8)
Quote from: lmcpaulm on August 22, 2011, 08:03:49 PM
Probably a combination of 1 and 3. Once you've had an Alfa that drives like perfection it's your aim so get it back to that point again! 8)
Reminds me of the Clarkson quote: "Alfa's were built to be the best cars in the world.....briefly". Always searching for that perfection again?
Thanks for the confirmation lmcpaulm. I reckon I'm a 1 & 3 as well - probably from being tortured my entire childhood in the back of an XA Falcon!
Happy to report I believe I have now tracked down the problem. ;D
I thought to myself that the knocking it coming from my heels (and I can feel it) on both sides and the only thing that runs across there is the ARB/Sway bar. So I read on another site if you want to test if it's the sway bar, you take the droplinks off... therefore there's no pressure on the sway bar or anything pulling on it when the suspension is going up and down over bumps. So took them off, have driven it around for 2 days and NO clunking noise!
--> one end of the the sway bar needed to be tied out of the way using some wire as once the droplinks were taken off, both arms of the bar just flopped down.
So it appears;
1. It is either the droplinks themselves (which I highly doubt as they are brand new and Alfa genuine parts); or
2. The sway bar which will need to be replaced.
I'm hoping that if I buy the Alfa replacement sway bar, that it will be a somewhat improved version so this doesn't start up again in 12 months!
It is interesting to note that I have found no real noticeable change in handling with the droplinks off ???
Hi again
Glad you're making progress, and good process of elimination.
I agree - it's hard to believe it's the links themselves since they're brand new and genuine, although it wouldn't hurt to double-check the genuinicity (is that a word) of them since after-market drop-links are notoriously problematic even from new. I've never inspected one closely so I don't know if they have a part number stamped on them, but check for this, and make sure the Alfa Romeo box it came in isn't branded "Arfa Lomeo' ;D
I also find it hard to believe it's the bar itself. I mean, it's a bar, a bent bit of metal. Unless it's physically broken, how can it clunk? As I mentioned in my last PM, I still think the front bar bushes could be the cause - if they're slogged out then the bar could move (or clunk) around. This would stop if the droplinks were disconnected, so at this stage you haven't yet eliminated this particular possibility. The front bushes are a known problem, I have yet to hear of someone who had problems with the bar itself. Worth checking.
The bar was never uprated to an improved version to my knowledge and I believe was the same part throughout the model run. You can install an uprated bar off a GTA, or an even more uprated one still from Eibach, but you would need replace the rear bar with one that matches. If you do decide to replace the front bar, you should change the bushes regardless. Bit of a painful job as the subframe needs to be dropped - not difficult, but bank on maybe 3 hours labour from a mechanic.
Interesting your comments on the handling not changing. I think with front-drive cars the rear bar is generally the one that does the lion's share of the work, so if you disconnected that then you might notice a greater difference. From memory, the standard 156 bars were 14mm front/22mm rear, but wankski or colcolcol may correct me there!
Good to see you're nearly there, and looking at a fairly cheap fix. Keep us posted.
Cheers
Rory
Quote from: L4OMEO on September 14, 2011, 10:09:10 PM
I also find it hard to believe it's the bar itself. I mean, it's a bar, a bent bit of metal. Unless it's physically broken, how can it clunk? As I mentioned in my last PM, I still think the front bar bushes could be the cause - if they're slogged out then the bar could move (or clunk) around. This would stop if the droplinks were disconnected, so at this stage you haven't yet eliminated this particular possibility. The front bushes are a known problem, I have yet to hear of someone who had problems with the bar itself. Worth checking.
Apologies - didn't mean to mislead. You're right it is the bushes. However, the sway bar comes with the bushes attached (like the wishbones), so I will just have to replace the whole bar with a new bar which will have new bushes on it. From what I understand, if the bushes around the bar are worn/split they will just be knocking up and down inside the metal bracket that's fixed to the frame. Removing the droplinks released the pressure on the bar though, so over bumps it's probably still vibrating but not with the force it was before. (I still haven't heard any noise over the last 4 days :D)
I won't be wasting money having the old bushes burnt off and new ones soldered on - I heard the job is a pain... So I'll just buy a new bar I suppose.
My Alfa Specialist has said since I've had so much work done he will do the job at 1/2 price which will save me some $$$!
Thanks for your help - much appreciated.
Apologies - didn't mean to mislead. You're right it is the bushes. However, the sway bar comes with the bushes attached (like the wishbones), so I will just have to replace the whole bar with a new bar which will have new bushes on it. From what I understand, if the bushes around the bar are worn/split they will just be knocking up and down inside the metal bracket that's fixed to the frame. Removing the droplinks released the pressure on the bar though, so over bumps it's probably still vibrating but not with the force it was before. (I still haven't heard any noise over the last 4 days :D)
I won't be wasting money having the old bushes burnt off and new ones soldered on - I heard the job is a pain... So I'll just buy a new bar I suppose.
My Alfa Specialist has said since I've had so much work done he will do the job at 1/2 price which will save me some $$$!
Thanks for your help - much appreciated.
[/quote]
Hi
Yeah your description is on the money, that sums it up well. But, the bushes for the sway bar aren't exactly like those on the wishbone and they can be changed. They are installed within the mounting brackets which are indeed welded together, so you can't just open the bracket a bit to pop them out. However, it's an easy job to drill the brackets out to open them, take out the old bushes and install new replacements, and reassemble. When I had mine done I can't recall if the brackets were welded back together, or soldered, or bolted, but it was all included in the 3-hours labour from a non-Alfa but competent mechanic.
I guess where I'm coming from is - if you're going to replace the bar & bushes together you'll have to buy brand new, because if you just get a second-hand one then how do you tell how long the second-hand bushes are going to last before you have this problem again? On the other hand, sourcing the bushes alone is easy and cheap, and installing them as noted above is quite straight-forward.
Sorry I didn't take pics of mine as it was done, would have illustrated this nicely. Worth searching on alfa156.net now you have drilled down to the root cause, may be pics of the sway bar/bushes/brackets there.
Cheers
Rory