Technical Fiat Stilo 1.9jtd 80 New front springs ride height check

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Technical Fiat Stilo 1.9jtd 80 New front springs ride height check

matrix7181

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Hi guys, I just got back from the car mechanic that installed new front springs since the old one snapped. Now the car looks 'odd' since the front is now visibly higher. I had the car for 1 year, with the old springs front was considerably lower, so now I don't know which height was correct, with old springs or new.

I can't find the ride height dimensions for the Stilo 1.9jtd 80 2002 (59kw).

So, how do I check if I have to correct springs ?

Current measured dimensions with new springs :

From ground to fender tip:
- Front : ~70 cm
- Back : ~68 cm

From center wheel to fender tip:
- Front : ~42,3
- Back: ~38

These are measured with 215/45 R17 rims, while the car is empty.
I've attached the picture. The mechanic told me that over time the springs should compress a bit making the ride lower, but for how much height ?
Are these ok ? If not, what are the correct dimensions ?
 

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Looks like they probably installed innadequate springs, do you feel the car bouncy or stiffer ?
 
I once fitted new springs to my Alfa 155 and they were the same - a few cm higher than the old ones. They didn't ever settle (or not noticeably) despite me wondering the same. On the other hand, new Stilo's don't look like that.. (their springs would be "not settled" too).

I'm guessing they're probably aftermarket or for a different Stilo model. Can they use a press to squash the springs a bit? :D The stance just looks wrong to me.


Ralf S.
 
I drove it this weekend to test ride it and the car is considerably different to drive than before. the springs stretch the damper so much, after each bump you can hear the dumper slamming. The breaking distance seems longer, or it seems, because the car dips to front when hard breaking and just feels awkward.

All in all, definitively going to call the mechanic to replace them.

Thank you for your replies, at least now I'm 100% its not just in my head that it looks odd!
 
When I changed my last year the front was quiet a bit higher than rear. This year after having a bike rack on at the weekends the rear ones had sunk. My car looked a bit like yours. After I replaced the rears springs the car now sits with equal distances above each arch.
Your car does sit very high at the front I would see what make of spring they fitted and search for the correct part number to be sure.
 
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