Hi, A little debate as to the cause of these bearings failing, firstly it was the quality of the original bearing (crap), that has been long sorted, so now we have two reasons, some folk think that water gets into the bearing from wheel spray under the car, the other (Fiat are aware) is a design issue, rain water drips onto the top of the bearing and soaks into its workings, turning it rusty and bust. You can see this yourself, wait until car has had a hour of so standing in the rain, pop the bonnet and shine a light on bearing top......water will be present........I rest my case !! haha. The 'trick', which I got off another member on here years ago.............go to the supermarket/shop (when you can), buy 2 black plastic tubed Mr Kiplings Sponge Puddings, come in a pack of 2 anyway. Unscrew the retaining screws holding the black plastic slatted grill vent which is between the top of the bonnet and the windscreen, then with a bit of care take a washed/cleaned empty tub, and liberally plaster the edge of it, all around, with silicon. Carefully lift the grill, and position the tub, silicon edge down over and to cover the bearing top and its 3 mounting nuts. Push it down and try to make sure its really in the correct position. The rain then drops on the inverted tub and is kept away from the bearing. A extra pair of hands can be a help, as you will only be able to lift (carefully) the grill on either side by just enough, do not be so hard puling it as to break it. The window wipers are what will stop the whole thing lifting away.........and I guess you will not have a window wiper puller. No matter the job is do able, take about a hour of so....No worries should you ever need the strut to be removed, for example replacing a road spring, the tub will twist and come away, just replace after with a new one.......Cheers Qube O.
PS, Had new bearings under warranty, Fiat replaced them, rubbish quality, went again when out of warranty, my None Fiat, Fiat Specialist replaced them, we tubed them and no probs since.............
