Technical Chassis struts missing?

[Tropicalmike]

Having watched a few youtube videos about changing front suspension wishbones. It shows a bolted support strut that is removed just forward of the spring/shock leg. The strut goes between the lower chassis forward extension leg and the main chassis/inner wing above. But having the front wheels off my 64 plate Twin Air. These struts are not present. The bolt holes with threads are there. Photo of nearside below . The strut would be just in front of the gearbox in view

Anybody elso noticed this.? I looked at our other TWIN AIR in the family. Also no struts. So are the struts only fitted on the 1.2 fire engines?

 

[puntodeltathema]

Interesting. Maybe they were deemed as not necessary at some point. Certainly present on earlier TAs from memory - e.g. a 2012 in my acquaintance.

 

[chris3234]

Probably removed as part of a cost cutting measure at some.point by fiat to save 30p on production

It certainly doesn't looks like your CAS has had them fitted recently

 

[Tropicalmike]

Having just seen a You tube from Love500 where Paul replaced some missing ones on a 68 plate 500S it prompted me to look into this again,
I got the strut part number from ePer ( 51789540 RHS or 41 for LHS ) and phoned my local Fiat dealer parts dept. Guy was very helpful and checked a few places in the Fiat system with the part number . Initially he said yes it is listed as a part for my Reg/ VIN but then checked another part of his system and said part "not applicable" so not fitted on twin airs but yes on 1.2 engines. Whether that applies to post face lift 1.2 S models 68 plate only an individual check would prove . Cant imagine it would do any harm fitting them .

 

[steveras57]

Dont appear that they are crucial to anything such as handling road-holding or structural integrity does it? so by fitting them you are just spending money for nothing to scratch an itch + giving the car a little present which it will reward you by rusting!

 

[The Panda Nut]

They are to allow access to change the lower arms. If not fitted, they wont be needed?

 

[jackwhoo]

I think this had cropped up before - not fitted after a particular date.

 

[puntodeltathema]

Yes correct. Furthermore I think the holes weren't tapped (or possibly not even present on the lower chasiss leg) so retrofitting won't necessarily be straightforward.

 

[Tropicalmike]

Dont appear that they are crucial to anything such as handling road-holding or structural integrity does it? so by fitting them you are just spending money for nothing to scratch an itch + giving the car a little present which it will reward you by rusting!

I am not fitting any. I was referring to Love500 fitting them on the 68 plate 500S he was resurrecting