Hi again, I am going to replace the front wishbones and while I am there, I thought I could replace some more parts. Last owner didn't really take a good care of my Stilo (original 16 years old thermostat etc.).

So are there any parts, that are known for breaking on our Stilos? (And are easy to replace )
Springs and shocks looks fine, they might be replaced not too long ago.

Also what brand of wishbones should I take? Somebody says TRW, somebody Lemforder. What are OEM?

I want to change the stabilizer coupling rod bushing, since it looks very worn. I could not find it by FIAT number (they only sell the whole unit?) Only thing I found is bushing by Impergom 29156, which I don't trust, or Magneti Marelli 301181313230, but there are no pictures of this online, so I'm not sure if it is the right part. Have anybody changed this?

I have 2003 115hp JTD 5 door
Thanks for answers

I'm intreseted also ... got an abarth 2001 ..

MOT was ok, but they told be one of the front bushing got a little play ..

This thread probably answers your questions https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/321931-cheap-wishbones.html

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roll said:

Hi again, I am going to replace the front wishbones and while I am there, I thought I could replace some more parts. Last owner didn't really take a good care of my Stilo (original 16 years old thermostat etc.).

So are there any parts, that are known for breaking on our Stilos? (And are easy to replace )
Springs and shocks looks fine, they might be replaced not too long ago.

Also what brand of wishbones should I take? Somebody says TRW, somebody Lemforder. What are OEM?

I want to change the stabilizer coupling rod bushing, since it looks very worn. I could not find it by FIAT number (they only sell the whole unit?) Only thing I found is bushing by Impergom 29156, which I don't trust, or Magneti Marelli 301181313230, but there are no pictures of this online, so I'm not sure if it is the right part. Have anybody changed this?

I have 2003 115hp JTD 5 door
Thanks for answers

Click to expand...

The front springs on mine lasted until 180,000 miles before one of them lost half a coil off the bottom - the spring catcher kept the spring on the shock and apart from it was a little bit softer on that corner, it took me a while to actually notice..

I changed the dampers at the same time as I fitted new springs and new rubber top-mounts and gaitors... but apart from the gaitors were a bit shredded, the main components were still fine. On my old Alfa 155 the dampers ran to about 185,000 miles before they started leaking, so I suspect that 180-200k is the usual lifespan for the Fiat (Boge) dampers.

The springs are huuuuge compared to the damper ... and the top mounts are rubber and don't have a positive spring seat .. so they can twist when you try to put the top-mounts on. You need the longest spring compressors you can get hold of. Mine are just 30-40cm long and they're too short really (I needed to use 2 pairs) and even then it took a couple of goes to get the spring seated straight.

When I changed the dampers I couldn't remove the drop links so I had to cut them off the dampers and fit new ones.. but the old ones (which didn't look factory original but were on there for over 100,000 miles all the same) were still okay. I don't think Stilo really kills its drop links.

The wishbone arms on my car are stamped TRW and also have the Fiat logo. They were new-ish before I bought the car (according to MOT and some service history) so they've done 100,000 miles and are probably just starting to droop, judging by the front tyre wear.

I fitted new track rod ends, when I replaced the drive-shaft (near side) and the inner CV spider (off side) but again, only because I was there; the new ones were quite cheap and the old ones were just a bit "old" looking... but I could probably have left them on there a bit longer.

Most aggro' I've had has been with the front wheel bearings.. since they turned moody around the same time as the driveshaft / CV aggro'.. so it tookme a few months to track down and solve all the causes of the front end drone/whining noises. Front wheel bearings were a bit of a Mo-Fo because of the shape of the hub (it's difficult to get leverage for your bearing winding kit - it's easier if you have a workshop bench press)...

But apart from that, everything lasts well and isn't too expensive anyway. It could be a good idea to change out everything if you have some time and a bit of budget. You won't need to touch it again for years.


Ralf S.

Yes, I've seen that thread.

I guess I will take TRW wishbones then, they are cheaper and I don't drive that much anyway