Hi to all, I've got a 08 Fiat 500 1.4L Sport that has developed a knocking noise in the rear end. I suspect the dampers could be the cause. Has anyone out there had or has a similar problem? It is at its worse when on a bit of a bumpy road at lower speed. Its driving me crazy. :bang: Hoping someone can shed some light on what can be the cause. Thinking of taking in to the dealer, my warranty expires in October this year.

bzxhms said:

Hi to all, I've got a 08 Fiat 500 1.4L Sport that has developed a knocking noise in the rear end. I suspect the dampers could be the cause. Has anyone out there had or has a similar problem? It is at its worse when on a bit of a bumpy road at lower speed. Its driving me crazy. :bang: Hoping someone can shed some light on what can be the cause. Thinking of taking in to the dealer, my warranty expires in October this year.

Click to expand...

I would say dampers, other than that perhaps the exhaust. There's not much else that moves at the back tbh. Also check the typical things like whether the hatch is resting on its rubber thingies and that there's nothing in the rear of the car and in the wheel well moving about. MOney would be on failed bushes in the dampers though. Kinda hoping mine go in warranty, that way I can get some Bilstein's and ebay the Fiat dampers for a bit of cash.

Hey 306maxi, have you had much experience in lowering the 500. I'm looking at doing it but am unsure if I should do a spring only change and which brand of spring to use that will improve the ride.

bzxhms said:

Hey 306maxi, have you had much experience in lowering the 500. I'm looking at doing it but am unsure if I should do a spring only change and which brand of spring to use that will improve the ride.

Click to expand...

Not had any experience myself personally

I've lowered mine with springs only. It depends what you mean by improve the ride. It makes it handle better yes, but its crashier over bumps.

bzxhms said:

Hey 306maxi, have you had much experience in lowering the 500. I'm looking at doing it but am unsure if I should do a spring only change and which brand of spring to use that will improve the ride.

Click to expand...

If you mean ride comfort as opposed to handling then shock absorber choice would be more relevant. The best bet would be a combined damper/spring set up which would give you the best of both worlds.

The Koni FSD kit is probably one of the top choices, especially if fitted with the esseesse springs. I know grajo on the Abarth 500 sub forum has this kit and is very happy with the results.

bzxhms said:

Hi to all, I've got a 08 Fiat 500 1.4L Sport that has developed a knocking noise in the rear end. I suspect the dampers could be the cause. Has anyone out there had or has a similar problem? It is at its worse when on a bit of a bumpy road at lower speed. Its driving me crazy. :bang: Hoping someone can shed some light on what can be the cause. Thinking of taking in to the dealer, my warranty expires in October this year.

Click to expand...

I would second Maxi's diagnosis on the shocks being knackered. Mine were replaced on a '08 at 38K that had been rattling since the day of purchase at 34K. Yesterday - I was in with a 'local' Fiat dealer looking to have my current shocks on a '09 5.5K replaced - I have just stepped in the 3rd year by a week and he maintained that they were all right. Under a bit of pressure and showing him my iphone in FF mode he concided to putting in a claim on my behalf. Here's fingers crossed.

grimwau said:

If you mean ride comfort as opposed to handling then shock absorber choice would be more relevant. The best bet would be a combined damper/spring set up which would give you the best of both worlds.

The Koni FSD kit is probably one of the top choices, especially if fitted with the esseesse springs. I know grajo on the Abarth 500 sub forum has this kit and is very happy with the results.

Click to expand...

I didn't know that this one would fit the 1.4 but at £650 ? it would be quite expensive. The Koni are certainly a high tech shock and should last longer that the standard fit .

bzxhms said:

Hey 306maxi, have you had much experience in lowering the 500. I'm looking at doing it but am unsure if I should do a spring only change and which brand of spring to use that will improve the ride.

Click to expand...

Lowering the ride to improve the ride
Some who fitted the Eibach springs claimed to have got better handling and less bouncing - hence a better ride. For me on my sunday drives with my better half (I have to be careful here ) does not want a hard ride.

I would suggest getting the shocks changed first and then see what you think. On the rear the shock and the spring can be done as seperate jobs.

loveshandbags said:

I didn't know that this one would fit the 1.4 but at £650 ? it would be quite expensive. The Koni are certainly a high tech shock and should last longer that the standard fit .

Click to expand...

Definitely.... tbh at £650 I think it's a good investment unless you're the sort of person who changes their car ever 3 or 4 years as some do.

306maxi said:

Definitely.... tbh at £650 I think it's a good investment unless you're the sort of person who changes their car ever 3 or 4 years as some do.

Click to expand...

how does the cost benefit calculations work out if you change every year ?

loveshandbags said:

how does the cost benefit calculations work out if you change every year ?

Click to expand...

Works out well for the person buying!

Personally I hope my dampers go as close to MOT time as possible, buy Bilstein's, have them fitted and sell on some near new genuine shocks to someone needing replacements.

After many months of banging my head against a brick wall on this issue i think I may have found the cause of the knocking noise in the rear end.
The drivers (right hand drive) side rear caliper seems to be causing the knock. At first I thought it may have been the cable. I checked all cable mounts and tightened the loose mounts until i noticed that if i moved the caliper with hand brake off there is a knock present. hand break on no knock. Is this normal for the caliper to be loos like this? I also did a drive test on a rough stretch of road near where i live. I applied the hand brake while driving, one click, no knocking. Drive with no hand brake and knocking noise returns. Checked all caliper mounting screws, all tight. Any help on this issue will be much appreciated. It driving me crazy:bang: