Hi

I have a W reg Fiat Punto 5dr HLX 1.2 16v.
A bit of one of my suspension springs snapped the other day whilst driving.
I was just wondering where you guys would recommend sourcing a standard replacement, for the best price etc. Are second hand springs easy to come by?

Thanks

Replace both front springs to maintain balanced handling and braking

You can get 2nd but cant say how long they will last
puntos rarely snap springs unless it was really rotten

Ziggy

you could get away with fitting a whole leg off a car about the same age from scrappy, then you wont need spring compressors.
if getting new springs then right tools are needed and you replace in pairs, most motor factors should be able to get you new springs

welcome to the forum

New springs are about £30 from most factors so not really expensive, its just the work involved in changing it

AndyRKett said:

New springs are about £30 from most factors so not really expensive, its just the work involved in changing it

Click to expand...

My worry is like most punto's the Strut to swivel bolts will be seized solid
the top strut bolt will shier so unless you have a windy gun getting it off could be hard....

You can get Road side spring clamps - but i do like the hydralic floor chained up versions so you dont smash everything around you

Ziggy

Cheers guys.
I've changed springs on a few cars before so tools/know how isn't a problem.
It's my mums car, so not being clued up on the Fiat world I just wanted to get some opinions on where you guys source parts from, I know each manufacturer is different!
A motor factor spring would be okay, I don't need to get genuine?
Thanks

jambob28 said:

Cheers guys.
I've changed springs on a few cars before so tools/know how isn't a problem.
It's my mums car, so not being clued up on the Fiat world I just wanted to get some opinions on where you guys source parts from, I know each manufacturer is different!
A motor factor spring would be okay, I don't need to get genuine?
Thanks

Click to expand...

As long as they are decent quality and made to the same standards set by fiat, aftermarket springs will be perfectly fine

I seriously advise doing both front springs

Ensure you are prepared to fight some very very rusty bolts out as well!

Ziggy

yea I will do both, and am used to nightmare bolts, nothing easy on cars ha

Cheers for that, I know sone manufacturers there are do and donts for specific parts when it comes to gebuine/

Alot of the punto can use generic parts with ease
Shocks, springs, dampers, service items, consumables

Hell alot on the mk2 / mk2b you can often avoid hitting fiat
Except nuts bolts and fixings tho.... generic sometimes dont work out

Ziggy

Perfect, thanks mate!
I'll get onto my local factors for a pair of replacements then set about doing it.

Edit: any difference in springs between 3/5 door variants?

Well tackled this today.
The lower strut bolts either side were an absolute bastard.
Even when blasted with a blow torch.
Subsequently damaged the threads on both, so I need replacements.

jambob28 said:

Well tackled this today.
The lower strut bolts either side were an absolute bastard.
Even when blasted with a blow torch.
Subsequently damaged the threads on both, so I need replacements.

Click to expand...

Not uncommon, if they are never broken off due to no problems they seize into place like a bi....

Only mk2 i must have spent Hours and hours of wacking with a sledge hammer, was somewhat annoying, but relieved when they worked free

Mk2b was a dream
Undone - tap tap - out

Copper grease on refitting = No problems in future

Dont go to Fiat - they are a rip off price
cant remember where i got my parts from - but i'll post a like once i've found it!

ziggy

Found it!!
Eurocarcare.net
Used them before - very quick

The Nut is here
http://www.eurocarcare.net/front-suspension/ecc7676614-nut-front-strut-to-hub-carrier.html
Bolt is here
http://www.eurocarcare.net/front-suspension/ecc7676615-bolt-front-strut-to-hub-carrier.html

I believe fiat wanted something silly like £15 for 1 side
Where as 4x 2.75 = £11
4x 0.60 = £2.40
Shipping + 2.95 = Grand total of 16.35

Well worth it IMO, i painted mine before, lasted a short while before it was blasted off by the road tho

ziggy

Cheers mate, you're a star.
I'd already found that site funnily enough searching on google.
I've emailed a couple of people breaking them on Ebay, most want around £5 for the set second hand, whether they can remove them without destroying them is another matter!

It was all going fine until those two blasted bolts. Top mounts all undone easily, the nuts on the strut bolts came off easily, top bolts knocked out happily, just the bleeding bottom bolts, endless swearing, heating with a blow torch, penetrating grease, smashed threads and eventually they came out.
Swapping the springs and refitting was a breeze in comparison!

ive struggled and failed with the lower bolts so your in good company
those springs are banana shaped so need fitting correctly
the top mounting needs the bar marking visible through the inner wing and the tab on the plate pointing towards the wing or car will creak like hell when steering turned

Well I fitted all the top mounting exactly the way it came off.
Springs the same.