Technical Fiat 500 twinair Suspension

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Technical Fiat 500 twinair Suspension

TheMrs500

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Hi all,
I've read through all the threads I could find on suspension, but forgive me if this has been answered somewhere else.

My wife's 2013 Fiat 500 twin air has a weeping damper and given we drive around in rural Victoria I thought I would look to replace all 4 struts. Not looking to lower it or to focus on handling improvements. But would really like any recommendations on a good, reliable replacement strut brand/model and anything else I should be aware of.

Thanks in advance.
 
Any of the big known manufacturers should be fine, I bought Sachs for ours and am looking at Monroe for the rear, Lemforder make some good ones so do Bilstein .

I recommend replacing ALL the front suspension, springs/shocks/lower control arms/top mount bearings/drop links/bump stops etc.
 
Hi and welcome :)

Your climate is probably more akin to Italy than the UK

We have issues with the bearing at top of struts.. they are only lightly oiled..
Our damp climate makes the bearing corrode.. :eek:

You feel a notchy ..lumpy.. effect on steering :(

If really sticky.. you get a BOING as the spring twists..and releases :eek:

Twinair will be @7 years old
. ..The age I did my panda.. (panda GUIDES)

Rubbers (gaitors) were sound..
bearings ok.. I stripped flushed and greased the bearings

New struts from a UK ( random brand..) specialist.. all sound 8 years later when we sold it

Any known brand should be fine
(KYB have a poor reputation for springs on this forum.. but dampers are normally fine)

How many Km's on the car..??
Im just interested.. :)

Charlie
 
Last edited:
Hi all,
I've read through all the threads I could find on suspension, but forgive me if this has been answered somewhere else.

My wife's 2013 Fiat 500 twin air has a weeping damper and given we drive around in rural Victoria I thought I would look to replace all 4 struts. Not looking to lower it or to focus on handling improvements. But would really like any recommendations on a good, reliable replacement strut brand/model and anything else I should be aware of.

Thanks in advance.
Same here, my wife's 500 has a weeping front nearside damper, found on its MOT test at the end of March.

I have bought Bilstein dampers for fitting this Wednesday, also got new top mounts and drop links. Despite fitting the plastic caps, the metal caps on the top of the struts under the bonnet were VERY rusty, perhaps the caps had kept some moisture in.

40k miles by the way IMG-20200407-WA0001.jpeg
 
Despite fitting the plastic caps, the metal caps on the top of the struts under the bonnet were VERY rusty, perhaps the caps had kept some moisture in.

40k miles by the wayView attachment 208186

You have to totally seal the caps on the top not just place them on with sicome dealer, this works well I've found, I made a guide in the "guides section" on replacing the struts which may help.
 
Thanks all, and especially for the guides. I will likely get this done at the local workshop (current restrictions pending). I love pottering with my Defender, but i don't mess around with the Mrs Car, just like to know what I am up for. Will post an update when the work is done.
 
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