The Panda front suspension pillar appears visibly identical for the 4X2 and 4X4 models. However, they are different. Can anyone please advise what the diference is ?
Thanks.

If I remember correctly there is a slightly different camber, however the latest motoquip parts catalogue lists the same part No for 2 & 4wd?

" Slight difference in camber "
Thankyou Alan.

Is the difference in camber due to a different strut or just that the 4x4 springs lift the car more? The higher the car sits, the more camber you get.

You might get less camber, depends how the 2x4 was setup.

I would think that the 4x4 would have less camber to keep the wheels flat so better grip in 4x4 mode?

BenW said:

You might get less camber, depends how the 2x4 was setup.

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For the camber to decrease the lower arm would have to be sloping up to the wheel. This could only really happen if the wheel was touching the top of the wheelarch

I would think that the 4x4 would have less camber to keep the wheels flat so better grip in 4x4 mode?

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In an ideal world maybe yes. However that would involve changing quite a few front suspension parts for very little gain. I think Fiat just took the easy option and fitted a longer spring.

Doesn't have to be sloping upto the wheel, the mount on the end just isn't perpendicular. Look at race cars, some have pretty extreme cambers on the wheels.

I'm with Alan, 2x4 has more camber so when its raised the 4x4 has less camber for better off roading

BenW said:

Doesn't have to be sloping upto the wheel, the mount on the end just isn't perpendicular.

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Camber is controlled by two things. The first is the angle of the hub relative to the strut. On the Panda this is dependent on the hub carrier and is fixed.
The second is the angle of the strut relative to the car. This is dependent on the positions of the top and bottom mounting points. the top point is the body shell so it can't move (we hope ). The bottom is attached to the lower arm. As the arm rotates this point moves in or out. On a panda the arm slopes down to the wheel so increasing the ride height cause the bottom to move inwards, increasing the camber. This is one of the reasons why you cannot lift a Panda 4x4 more than an extra 15-20mm. Above that the camber gets too extreme and the driveshafts end up binding because the hub is too close to the gearbox. Look here for pics of what happens when you lift the suspension.

BenW said:

Look at race cars, some have pretty extreme cambers on the wheels.

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True. However they often have different struts and arms. For instance saloon stocks use a much longer arm on the left hand side (saloon stocks run clockwise on a short oval circuit)

I have just had a look on my out of date Fiat price list, the pillar for the 4X2 is £38, the one for the 4X4 is £91. Now thats a hell for a price difference for " A small difference in camber ".

Am I missing something here or are the 4X4 type made from depleted uranium?

As Alan advised earlier, the unit is available from Motaquip, part number VSJ672 @ £21.08 + VAT and it states " all models excluding 4X4 " I asked about the 4X4 but the chap looked at the book and said VSJ672 was the only one. If you have another part number Alan, I will go back and see them again.

Rgds.

I bet they are longer than standard Panda ones. On a standard Panda there would be quite a bit of travel that would never be used. It doesn't cost a lot to make the struts longer but as they are relatively rare they bump up the price.

Just a thought - has anyone got a spare standard strut hanging about? I have a couple of 4x4 ones so we could compare measurements

Lesnewell said:

Just a thought - has anyone got a spare standard strut hanging about? I have a couple of 4x4 ones so we could compare measurements

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yup, i have got a pair of original ones off a 1000s.

is it just the overall length?

Tony M said:

is it just the overall length?

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I think so. Just let me know exactly where you take the measurements and I'll do the same on mine.

petel said:

As Alan advised earlier, the unit is available from Motaquip, part number VSJ672 @ £21.08 + VAT and it states " all models excluding 4X4 " I asked about the 4X4 but the chap looked at the book and said VSJ672 was the only one. If you have another part number Alan, I will go back and see them again. Rgds.

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Pete it maybe that they read it wrong as he told me that it was the same part No for both types and I queried it more than once with the same reply

Although they later said that only the ball joint was available for the 4x4.

Right, I have measured my strut. From the upper hub carrier bolt to the end of the centre bolt is 485mm. Now all we need is someone to measure a standard strut.

You might want to check the size of the bolts that fix the strut to the upright M10 verse M12 I think?

Hello Alan.
Have been back to local Motaquip motor factor today. He now confirms what you stated about them doing the lower ball joint and the complete pillar assy for the 4X2 but only the lower ball joint for the 4X4. So, I am unable to compare the two items because I only have a 4X2 unit here.

I will have to leave it to forum members to settle this one, a process which is begining with the input from Lesnewell and neverstop.
Thanks to all.

I'll check eper later as i think they have the weight etc of the item

Lesnewell said:

From the upper hub carrier bolt to the end of the centre bolt is 485mm.

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ok, the damper is exactly the same length on a 1000s... perhaps the internals are different. the 4x4 would need better engineering inside as they're more likely to push the dampers.