I'm in the middle of a mini chassis makeover... not on purpose.. 
but mainly caused by a clunky n/s driveshaft which I changed (worn cup) that then allowed me to better hear that the rear o/s wheel bearing was knackered too...
I decided to also change the slightly moody but still okay n/s rear wheel bearing to match.... and the steering track rod ends, while I was there.
Apart from the o/s front driveshaft, which grumbles occasionally but still seems okay enough at the moment, my car is now starting to become quite refined.
During the work I noticed that the n/s front spring has lost some metal. A piece about 5cm long is missing off the bottom coil where it fits into the spring pan.
I now have all the pieces I need to assemble a pair of new front dampers including bump stops, gaitors and even genoooine new old-stock Fiat Spring catchers... since my old spring catchers is all that's holding the spring in place by the looks of it..
Is there any special technique/gotchas in assembling the dampers? I know the top mount bearings have to be properly aligned.. but is that it?
I have assembled dampers before (not Stilo though) so I'm otherwise okay with the general concept. I'm borrowing some enooooormous spriung compressors too. The new springs seem to be about 1m long, off the car..
Ralf S.
but mainly caused by a clunky n/s driveshaft which I changed (worn cup) that then allowed me to better hear that the rear o/s wheel bearing was knackered too... I decided to also change the slightly moody but still okay n/s rear wheel bearing to match.... and the steering track rod ends, while I was there.
Apart from the o/s front driveshaft, which grumbles occasionally but still seems okay enough at the moment, my car is now starting to become quite refined.
During the work I noticed that the n/s front spring has lost some metal. A piece about 5cm long is missing off the bottom coil where it fits into the spring pan.
I now have all the pieces I need to assemble a pair of new front dampers including bump stops, gaitors and even genoooine new old-stock Fiat Spring catchers... since my old spring catchers is all that's holding the spring in place by the looks of it..
Is there any special technique/gotchas in assembling the dampers? I know the top mount bearings have to be properly aligned.. but is that it?
I have assembled dampers before (not Stilo though) so I'm otherwise okay with the general concept. I'm borrowing some enooooormous spriung compressors too. The new springs seem to be about 1m long, off the car..
Ralf S.
