General What the hell have I got here!?? :D

[Sinny]

Thought I'd have a look at the possibilities of an axle flip, as my lady sits up so much at the back.
So.. we have the Doblo axle, that looks like this when it's off (this isn't mine - it's just for illustration)

And the complete set up looks like this as per eLearn:

So... on paper it looks relatively simple as mods go - grind off locating plates, re-weld to opposite side of axle - remount on top of the spring and - et viola! 60mm lower...


Er... except......

What in FIATs name have I got here!? No wonder she sits up so high at the back

 

[Sinny]

It would appear to be a factory upgraded suspension giving 700+ Kg carrying ability... or in my case, an arse right up in the air because it's lucky if it ever sees anything heavier than rubbish for the dump. Ergo, it's 750mm from the ground to the wheel arch, with 160mm clearance

 

[500e]

Spring assistors aftermarket coils to help Worn rear springs.
If you jack up one side at a time you can pop them out with a small bar.
BUT how low will it be then & how long will the rubber spring asistors last
Grayson is one of the firms that do them I beleive Fiat700kg spring is a standard heavy duty leaf spring, factory order or many bags of gold after that

 

[500e]

Spring assistors aftermarket coils to help Worn rear springs.
If you jack up one side at a time you can pop them out with a small bar.
BUT how low will it be then & how long will the rubber spring asistors last
Grayson is one of the firms that do them I believe Fiat700kg spring is a standard heavy duty leaf spring, factory order or many bags of gold after that
Never seen lower mount held in by U bolts so possibly not Grayson
http://www.springassisters.co.uk/menu.htm

 

[Sinny]

It's deffers a factory fit - can't speak for the UK market, but it's got it's own model codes in the German handbook - "erhohter Nutzlast" - raised payload.

When I can be arsed I'll drop them off using your highly specialised technique and see what it sits like.
The assists are gefickt* so they've got to come off for that anyway.

With 160mm to lose before it gets to the tyre the leafs would need to be pretty shot to drop that far, and logically, they've not been doing that much anyway except holding the axle in place so... odds on they should be OK.

*Nice how German swearing gets past the swear-checker

 

[500e]

When we asked we were told leaf spring strange they use 2 different means to get to same place
We find springs go flat & eat those rubber spring assistors then it starts to pound the remnants, best of luck with removing them.
On the Grayson ones they come out easily if you jack up each side separately pull bottom of spring over & it should pull down

 

[Sinny]

I gave it all a dose of WD40 a couple of days ago, so maybe tomorrow if it's dry I'll give it a whirl...

 

[Sinny]

Well, the refs blown for half-time and die Schlamp is de-coiled and back on her leaf springs, with, er... interesting results

Quick coffee and then the second half - a torque of the wheel nuts and give her a whizz round to settle everything and see what the final score is...

Took some pics so I'll do a bit of a write up, but this is pretty basic stuff unless you haven't done this sort of thing before - then it's just a bit daunting on the first side. It's worth pointing out a few "FIAT Fings" though, so I'll do that.

 

[Sinny]

Driven and settled the suspension and............. a massive 25mm off each side :bang:

Cosmetically it looks a *bit* better, although I wouldn't mind another inch off. Maybe it will get there in a few days, who knows...


Rides a bit softer and corners a bit different - it never felt as if it was on stilts, but now if you welly it in a corner the back tucks down and there's a tiny bit more roll.
From that point of view, a couple of hours well spent. Next up I'll strip the spring cups and gubbins from the HD springs and if anybody wants to offer me a few bob for it, shout out. Looks as if it would be a very easy retrofit - and it's pukka FIAT so no trouble with the MOT.

Anyway, write up and pics maybe later today...