General Broken suspension spring

[plasma99]

I just took a family member to the train station about a mile away and began hearing clunking noises coming from the front right as I approached the station. I limped back home and the clunking got much worse. Jacked up the car and found the front right suspension spring broken. I can get it replaced but just had a few questions - should you always replace both front springs and will I have damaged the shocks or any other component driving it for a mile and a half? The front shocks are fairly new. Also, should you pay a bit more for premium springs?

 

[John202020]

Some say you should do in pairs, but I've done just one in the past without issue, I bought Monroe but it's snapped at 6 years old, there's some on Ebay for £22 delivered that's what I'm going with.
Mines snapped at mo but I still drive it where its broken isn't a huge issue, you cannot drive yours at all.
Shock should be ok

Coil Spring Front LH or RH Fits Fiat 500 08-21 | eBay

Without it we cannot take responsibility for the part ordered. We would prefer to confirm your order details and avoid any problems. WITH THE ORDER. components available in our warehouse and not every item has been listed.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[plasma99]

Some say you should do in pairs, but I've done just one in the past without issue, I bought Monroe but it's snapped at 6 years old, there's some on Ebay for £22 delivered that's what I'm going with.
Mines snapped at mo but I still drive it where its broken isn't a huge issue, you cannot drive yours at all.
Shock should be ok

Coil Spring Front LH or RH Fits Fiat 500 08-21 | eBay

Without it we cannot take responsibility for the part ordered. We would prefer to confirm your order details and avoid any problems. WITH THE ORDER. components available in our warehouse and not every item has been listed.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks for the reply. I just tried to remove the strut but got stuck on the first stage - removing the top hat bolts. Seem to be rusted on despite the shocks being replaced recently. I’ve tried removing the bolt with an Allen key/box spanner combination but it seems stuck on. Do you have any tips on how to remove as a DIY’er?

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks for the reply. I just tried to remove the strut but got stuck on the first stage - removing the top hat bolts. Seem to be rusted on despite the shocks being replaced recently. I’ve tried removing the bolt with an Allen key/box spanner combination but it seems stuck on. Do you have any tips on how to remove as a DIY’er?

I used an electric nut spinner..
Saves A LOT of grief

Springs:

I bought a pair of Branded ones
SUPLEX

Fiat specialist
Shop4parts listed the Brand,

Seemed good,
And prices were comparable to Ebay


I do try and swap as a pair

 

[RalphM]

Thats gone fine style, check the back of the tyre they can damage the side wall,
replace that one and see how it sits on the road and drives.

 

[Twotone2]

Aye I had one go on an old Almera years ago took out the tyre and left us stranded on Barra oh how we laughed.

Actually it made the holiday as we had to fly home (happened on the morning we were leaving for the ferry) the flight was amazing and a local guy who was the postman and rented out cars at the airport sorted the car for us and drove it down to Glasgow afterwards.

 

[plasma99]

Thats gone fine style, check the back of the tyre they can damage the side wall,
replace that one and see how it sits on the road and drives.

Can’t replace. Can’t get the top plate bolt off despite the shock absorbers being relatively new. Got to get a mobile mechanic in. I’m tempted to tell this mechanic not to tighten them too hard in case I need to get them off again in the near future.

I’ve now replaced rear shocks, front shocks, lower front arms and now a front spring has gone. I can’t remember having a car that required so much work on the front suspension. I guess it’s a city car that requires a full suspension overhaul at around 50k miles.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I used an electric nut spinner..
Saves A LOT of grief

Springs:

I bought a pair of Branded ones
SUPLEX

Fiat specialist
Shop4parts listed the Brand,

Seemed good,
And prices were comparable to Ebay


I do try and swap as a pair

I used Suplex ones on the Panda, been on for over 7 years now and they drive around the town over "sleeping policemen" all the time. no signs of any problems yet. Bought from S4p.