Technical Front springs and dampers refresh

[d4zzl3r]

Hello Fiat friends - i gave my 500 TA 105 2014 51,000 miles a pre-MOT check over and found the front OSF drivers side damper is misting oil and leaking down the leg. So i'm going to refresh both sides springs and dampers. Does anyone have any recommendations please?
I think there is a bearing and a rubber damper too?

 

[John202020]

How long are you keeping the car?
For life?
Next few years?
If only a few years only do what's failed using the cheapest parts available?
If for life, replace absolutely everything including the lower arms with whatever make you wish, I recommend, Lemforder lower arms, Lemforder top bearings, which ever make you want shocks and springs, Febi drop links, febi dust covers, replacement top cups and covers, sealed on.

 

[d4zzl3r]

How long are you keeping the car?
For life?
Next few years?
If only a few years only do what's failed using the cheapest parts available?
If for life, replace absolutely everything including the lower arms with whatever make you wish, I recommend, Lemforder lower arms, Lemforder top bearings, which ever make you want shocks and springs, Febi drop links, febi dust covers, replacement top cups and covers, sealed on.

In 2 minds really, wife wants to keep it (its her car) and daughter (who's just started borrowing it) wants to replace it.

Heres my list of what i think i need (already done the wishbones and drop-links).

 

[chris3234]

In 2 minds really, wife wants to keep it (its her car) and daughter (who's just started borrowing it) wants to replace it.

Heres my list of what i think i need (already done the wishbones and drop-links).


View attachment 450960

I would add drop links to that list by time you have the other removed an refitted they are likely to be worn even if you get them off without the nuts being sized

 

[AnthonyH]

Do the brakes need replacing? You've not mentioned that they do.

 

[John202020]

Note you need 4 lower shock bolts and nuts, I would add top mounting/bearing, Lemforder make, yes drop links, might aswell do shock dust covers too, you could clean up the top spring cups, the ones under the wing, and the whole hog new lower control arms

 

[d4zzl3r]

Do the brakes need replacing? You've not mentioned that they do.

Well they have about 4mm left on the rears so if they get picked up on the MOT...

 

[d4zzl3r]

@John202020 hi - i have been reading your write-up (great post) and i have a question. I believe that the damper/spring assemble just 'floats' in the wing turret? Its not fixed, is this correct? If so then what stops the thing just falling out if you have undone the two lower pinch-bolts?

 

[John202020]

@John202020 hi - i have been reading your write-up (great post) and i have a question. I believe that the damper/spring assemble just 'floats' in the wing turret? Its not fixed, is this correct? If so then what stops the thing just falling out if you have undone the two lower pinch-bolts?

The top "cup" that you can see in the engine bay holds the top in place( not the spring that's a nut underneath)

 

[The Panda Nut]

@John202020 hi - i have been reading your write-up (great post) and i have a question. I believe that the damper/spring assemble just 'floats' in the wing turret? Its not fixed, is this correct? If so then what stops the thing just falling out if you have undone the two lower pinch-bolts?

Yes and gravity. It all seems to work though. Do replace both the top rubber mounts . Make sure you note the correct alignment of teh top mounts and spring plates as any misalignment seems to generate clonking. The lower arms provide some under support too, and the drop links.

 

[d4zzl3r]

Update, i've refreshed the front suspension (re-used the springs) and it passed its MOT today. Whether it would have passed without the refresh i don't know because when i had a rear damper go all i got was an advisory for 'misting'. I've wanted to replace the front suspension for a while now and this was my prompt. Things to take away:

1. It was really easy, 2 bolts/nuts on the hub/carrier and 2 nuts on the damper stanchion for each side.
2. I applied PlusGas to the nuts/bolts 10 minutes before starting.
3. I didn't remove the plastic windscreen panel i just wedged it up to get my allen key and ring spanner in.
4. Hardest most boring part was winding the spring compressors in.

Looking at the pictures of the stuff i took off i probably didn't need to replace the spring-top cups as there is nothing wrong with them and i could have just cleaned them up. Same for the rubber damper as they look in good condition. The bearing fell a part but i'm not sure it is a closed part. The top cups where the water pools were really rusty. In hindsight i would only have replaced the damper, bearing and top cup on each side. Even the bolts i took out of the hub carrier are ok.

Heres some pictures (i also did another post - Dampers )

 

[Danoid]

Those little arrows point towards the front or rear of the car?

Going to do our 500 in December I think and I’m bound to move it when removing old one and not know which way it should go

 

[d4zzl3r]

Those little arrows point towards the front or rear of the car?

Going to do our 500 in December I think and I’m bound to move it when removing old one and not know which way it should go

to the rear, theres a very good write-up on here, have you seen it?

 

[Danoid]

to the rear, theres a very good write-up on here, have you seen it?

Awesome thank you, I probably have but a while ago, could you link please?

 

[John202020]

Note if you buy new new rubber mounts, the bearing is now integral to them not pressed into the steel spring cup, or at least on Lemforder ones I bought

 

[d4zzl3r]

Awesome thank you, I probably have but a while ago, could you link please?

From John202020