Technical Suspension strut thread

[MadAlicesDad]

My daughter's 1.4 Pop has recently started making a clunking noise when the steering wheel is turned. It started about a week ago and is now very noticeable.
I suspect the top strut mounts and want to replace them.
One of the suspension strut threads is knackered and although the top nut turns and undoes by a few mm, it won't come fully off and I may end up having to split the nut. I know the nut is 19mm AF, but what size is the thread on the suspension strut?

Bearing in mind the Covid-19 lockdown, if I can't get the nut off and/or I can't get the bits and/or I can't get it to a garage, is there a way to lubricate the bearing in situ?

TIA
Mike

 

[The Panda Nut]

Are you sure this is not the cv joits on a drive shaft. The strut top mounts are not something I would associate with the noise. My understanding is that these are not something to lubricate as dirt would stick and rapidly cause problems. To undo the strut top nuts I was recommended to use an impact wrench and my local garage man lent me one. I have since bought my own and its one of the best things I have ever bought and works for a huge range of tasks including raising the car on its jack which is a real boon at the road side. I have the removal of stuts down to a fine art and can remove and replace a front strut in well under half an hour with the impact wrench easily removing strut top and link rod nuts in seconds. My brother has a Clark impact wrench which was about £40 so cheap enough and available by mail order.

If the threads are damaged you may need to hold the strut rod with vice grips or something similar. I filed the outside of a a socket so I can get an open spanner on it while an allen key can be used on the strut rod. Allen keys are not really strong enough and I have broken more than 1 trying this method. The impact wrench is by far the better way to go it worked first time on the Panda after 85000 miles of use. Keep the weight fully on the wheels while loosening the strut top nut.

 

[MadAlicesDad]

Thanks for the response. TBH I want to get to a position where (like you) removing the strut is second nature. I have an impact wrench, vice and all the other tools. I just need to know the nut thread details.

Are you sure this is not the cv joits on a drive shaft.

Yes. The noise is there when the steering wheel is turned with car stationary.

The strut top mounts are not something I would associate with the noise.

I had just had the bottom arm etc replaced and the guy at the garage was jokingly warning me about the number of strut mounts he has replaced on 500s. I demonstrated the noise; "that's it" he said.


Mike

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi.
Grandes all have notchy top strut bearings

So did our panda before I refurbed the system
GUIDES

19mm hex.. normally equates to a standard M12 bolt thread (M12 x 1.75 pitch)

Undo the one you can remove..and lay a standard M12 bolt along it

If you have calipers..or a rule..

10 peaks in 12.7mm.. thats 1/2"

There is a chance its a
'Metric fine' thread M12 x 1.5.. trickier to find a Nylok nut for that

Just realised.. you have probably got 2 brand new struts you can gauge the thread on..

Poxy though they be..
A Haynes manual MIGHT give the thread info

In the torque values

Or study parts fische info on ePER

GOOD LUCK and let us know how it goes

Charlie

 

[MadAlicesDad]

Unfortunately I don't have new struts, I just want to fix the mounts. From what you say and what I can see, I suspect it is a M12 fine. I have standard M12 bolts and the threads are much too coarse.
Unfortunately M12 seems to come in two sizes that are finer than standard; M12x1.5 or M12x1.25

 

[MadAlicesDad]

Re: Suspension strut removal

The answer to my earlier question was M12x1.25 but it won't help

I have all the tools, even bought new sockets and spanner for the job. One side has already had a replacement strut, so I thought I'd tackle that first.

I put an allen key in the top, turned the nut and the top of the thread next to the allen key cracked. There's now no way to hold the shaft still and unscrew the nut. On the other side, the allen hole is so rusty you can't get a key in.

I'll get new struts first, but any thoughts how to remove them? I'm thinking a nut splitter (if there is access) or brute force with a cold chisel (if there isn't)
I guess then that the strut can be removed, and hopefully with the spring clamped I can unscrew the main nut. Failing that, cut through the strut with an angle grinder.

It's potentially risky with a very compressed spring (lots of clamps needed) but what other choices are there?

TIA
Mike

 

[jimboy]

Grinder. Ah just noticed you've said.

 

[John202020]

Re: Suspension strut removal

I'll get new struts first, but any thoughts how to remove them?
I'm thinking a nut splitter (if there is access) or brute force with a cold chisel (if there isn't)

But what other choices are there?

TIA
Mike

This is how I did it also I recommend replacing EVERYTHING
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-guides/440891-front-shock-absorber-replacement.html

 

[MadAlicesDad]

John,

You are a bl00dy star!!!

I spent ages last night thinking about it, mainly how to remove the main nut intact as getting a replacement in locked-down Britain would be impossible, and concluded cutting the springs was the safest way.

Now thanks to your very comprehensive instructions I know it's possible.

Many thanks

 

[John202020]

Note the shocker shaft is very hard, try not to get the drill right against it( when you drill out to larger sizes) if drilling the nut, I could hear and feel the drill bit just catching the very edges of the thread and its very easy to stick and snap the drill bit that way.

Also there's very small marks on the screen for the wiper positions three tiny dots or just use tape as I did.

 

[MadAlicesDad]

Thanks for the advice; I'll also be using lots of Copperease when rebuilding it.

 

[Rocco Reviews]

My daughter's 1.4 Pop has recently started making a clunking noise when the steering wheel is turned. It started about a week ago and is now very noticeable.

I suspect the top strut mounts and want to replace them.

One of the suspension strut threads is knackered and although the top nut turns and undoes by a few mm, it won't come fully off and I may end up having to split the nut. I know the nut is 19mm AF, but what size is the thread on the suspension strut?



Bearing in mind the Covid-19 lockdown, if I can't get the nut off and/or I can't get the bits and/or I can't get it to a garage, is there a way to lubricate the bearing in situ?



TIA

Mike

I know in the United States where I am Fiat released a technical service bulletin to replace the steering intermediate shaft for free for the Fiat 500, which cause the clunking.