Technical Front suspension top mounts, 4x4 specific

[Herts Hillhopper]

Quick question, specifically to 4x4 owners, or those who have worked on them.

I need to replace the front shocks (110k miles, bit worn now...), and logically the rubber top mounts too. Shop4Parts lists the shocks (which are 4x4 specific) at a great price. On ePer, the top mounts have a different part number to the other models -- but I have a hunch that they may be the same part on all models. Does anyone know? Nowhere (other I guess than Fiat) lists a part specific to the 4x4 and trying to avoid dealer prices if I can

Thanks in advance

Pete

 

[306maxi]

I wouldn't imagine that they're 4x4 specific either.

 

[Mike n Helen]

These are the ones I bought a few months ago for my 05 4x4 and they fitted fine. http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...8&secondary=41&opts=65&btnViewProducts=Search
Looking at the spec it's common for them all except the 1.4 16V. I took a few photos when I changed mine to do a "how to" thread but just haven't had time to pull it togther yet, but if you get stuck let me know.

I was lucky as mine had recently had new drop links fitted, but I can imagine if the nuts or the hex head are rusted they will be a pain to get off, maybe worth buying as back up...

Mike

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Thanks for replies and confirmation guys - I've ordered same parts from S4P. Might need to see those pics, Mike. I've done most things on cars but never front struts before. Might do halfway, in that I will remove but then get garage to remove the springs? I changed the drop links fairly recently so hope they will undo.

Pete

 

[Mike n Helen]

Front struts are straight forward.

1) Loosen off the top nut on the suspension, but don't take it off yet

2. Jack the car up

3 Remove the small metal clip which holds the brake pipe in, the clip will break as mine did if it's rusty, and remove the pipe - remove the sensor cable too.

4 Undo the top drop link

5 Undo the two bolts on the bottom of the strut (pic shows only 1) and seperate the front hub fron the strut.

6 Now holding the strut, remove the top bolt and lower the strut out of the wheel arch.
7 You need spring compressors now, but basically with the spring clamped remove the top nut on the damper to remove the top mount and spring.
8 No photo of this bit I'm affraid but when putting it back together there's a tab on the top plate, make sure it's aligned with the bottom of the strut where the mounting points are. May not make sense now but have a look before you remove the old tops and it will make sense.
9 Putting it back together is just the reverse, make sure to tighten the top mounts when the weight of the car is on the ground, and the top mount has the gap to the front (again look before you start and it makes sense) and the little clip which broke can be repalce with a tie wrap.

Hope this makes sense and is usefull.

Mike

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Mike -thanks so much for this. Really useful post. Sadly, unlike you, I don't have a vehicle lift in the garage :-(

 

[Andy Monty]

see my guide in the gp guides section it might be of use i think its a very similar process

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/index2.html

 

[Iorek]

Quick question, specifically to 4x4 owners, or those who have worked on them.

I need to replace the front shocks (110k miles, bit worn now...), and logically the rubber top mounts too. Shop4Parts lists the shocks (which are 4x4 specific) at a great price. On ePer, the top mounts have a different part number to the other models -- but I have a hunch that they may be the same part on all models. Does anyone know? Nowhere (other I guess than Fiat) lists a part specific to the 4x4 and trying to avoid dealer prices if I can

Thanks in advance

Pete

I recently did shocks and the strut support bearing.

http://seekpart24.com/trw/suspension-strut-support-bearing-jsb174?c=100371#vehicles

Says on the website it is the same thing, when the part arrived it said it was for a 4x4

Didn't have problems fitting it into a FWD car.

One thing for sure I won't be spending money at S4P, tried their shocks and where the original ones lasted 70k km on all the bad roads here, those lasted 20k and made the car harsh riding.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Update: thanks for all the helpful advice. In the end, snow put pay to me doing it myself, but showed up just how bad the shocks were. So, I took the shocks and top mounts I'd bought from Shop4Parts to my local tyre depot and had them fit them. Cost a few bob, but got it done quickly, and now rides much better and grips better too (as the wheels now stay in contact with the road!)

As to the original question, seems the top mounts are the same.

 

[Mike n Helen]

Glad you got it sorted