Hello Stilo owners. Has anyone bought the inexpensive front suspensionwishbones for sale on EBay? If you have are they worth buying. My multiwogonneeds a pair and I was wondering if cheap means poor quality, at £56 for O/S& N/S it sounds too good to be true.
Nigel O

There's been several posts on the forum where people have bought cheap wishbones and they've only lasted a short time. In one case, only a few months.

"Caveat emptor"
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www.fiatforum.com/stilo/280416-help-new-front-wishbone-too-loose.html

www.fiatforum.com/stilo/314564-front-wishbone-service-life-second-opinion-please.html

I only pay top whack if I have no choice and so far I've not had any problems with any of my cars running on cheap parts. I suppose it depends how long you intend keeping the car and how much (or how hard) you use it. I guess as yours need replacing then the car is getting on a bit or has done a lot of miles, in which case how long has it got left? If you feel it has more than two or three years left in it then probably worth buying better quality components.

The only exceptions to my rule is things like tyres, brake pads, oil, filters, etc - the critical stuff.

heraldsteve said:

The only exceptions to my rule is things like tyres, brake pads, oil, filters, etc - the critical stuff.

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And suspension stuff isn't critical?
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Davren said:

And suspension stuff isn't critical?
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That's not what I meant, but wishbones don't fail suddely (or at least not that I've heard of, although there will always be exceptions) but tyres etc are renown for sudden failure and therefore I won't buy these cheap.

It is important to have safe wishbones, which is why they MUST be replaced when the bushes become worn. I never put off replacing worn components as soon as I become aware of them, I just don't pay top whack for items that I only need for a year or two (I don't do high mileage in my Stilo).

There are lots of brands out there. TRW are likely to be the OE (original equipment) supplier and are probably the best. Yes they have worn out, but it takes about ten years.

I'm using FRAP as those were available off the shelf in NZ. They seem good so far - were well-finished and an easy fit. Price about £65 each I think.

-Alex

I have been the cheaper route of ebay wishbones 2 years back now on nearside one and last year on offside one and to now both sides are doing fine went through last mot with no advisories ..but that does not mean it is the same from every seller guess you just keep that in mind when you make your purchase, all a throw of the dice but for myself I have had no issues with them and also same with cheaper drop links I did at the same time

Thanks for all of your advice, mixed as was

Looks like it’s time to open the piggy bank count thecontents and toss a coin.

I will let you know either way.

Nigel O

I've fitted a few of the cheaper ones from eBay and had no trouble, our last Stilo has had them on for 2 years and is driven by our daughters speed freak boyfriend lol and they're still ok.

Hi,

Replaced both of mine recently and got them from German and Sweedish

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/

Thet cost about £39 each .... cheap as chips.

German and sweedish are good motor factors and only sell decent gear.

No, I don't work for them, just a customer !

I suppose ive been lucky as there was definitely no movement on the few I fitted. They were all from the same seller though.

Nigel O said:

Thanks for all of your advice, mixed as was

Looks like it’s time to open the piggy bank count thecontents and toss a coin.

I will let you know either way.

Nigel O

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Just make sure you get the correct ones with the correct bush size. Cheapo ones are normally the 12mm bush for 1.2 - 1.8 Petrols and 14mm bushes for 1.9 and 2.4. which cost more.

The change from 12mm to 14mm bush bore size was date related, nothing to do with engine size. My JTD has 12mm bushes.
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Davren said:

The change from 12mm to 14mm bush bore size was date related, nothing to do with engine size. My JTD has 12mm bushes.
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My 2005 had 14mm bushes.

Mine's 2003 so the change point is somewhere between 2003 and 2005 for all engine sizes.
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Buypartsby identify this as the change
To Ch. No.1: 495305,495451 (presumably for the 12mm)

Davren said:

Mine's 2003 so the change point is somewhere between 2003 and 2005 for all engine sizes.
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But in final generation Stilo's 2006 and 2007 the design totally changed.

So in reality there are 3 types of design.

FiatFleetFamily said:

But in final generation Stilo's 2006 and 2007 the design totally changed.

So in reality there are 3 types of design.

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Yes... the later ones are made from pressed, welded steel rather than cast iron.
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