Re: Broken (Front) Springs - READ NOTES BEFORE VOTING

Argonought said:

Well done Stu

There’s still a few oddities

Schweck: Front spring (I‘m guessing ) = 5

Click to expand...

Oops, sorry! You're right of course, it was the FRONT nearside that failed. I saw the thread was 'Broken (Front) Springs' and my eyes sort of tripped over the front & rear options. Well, that's my excuse...

T14086 said:

so how many here have actually had springs break?

Click to expand...

so is it 5,6 or 7

T14086 said:

so is it 5,6 or 7

Click to expand...

yesterday is was 6 ..... now it's 7

...tomorrow ?

I will try and rejig all the counts later on - what a mess

To be fair... suppose I could have made it a bit clearer

...but at least it's a public poll so with a bit of effort you can still make sense of it

Very strong trend based on Stilo registration date.

We now have 9 reported failures on 2002 models and just one on a 2003 model.

Argonought said:

Very strong trend based on Stilo registration date.

We now have 9 reported failures on 2002 models and just one on a 2003 model.

Click to expand...

Is that because they are 4 years old or because they were made by a particular supplier?

french bean said:

Is that because they are 4 years old or because they were made by a particular supplier?

Click to expand...

That's the very thing I'd expect Fiat to have worked out. The distribution is so tight around the 2002 model that it can't be dismissed as general wear and tear as everyone drives differently with different annual mileages so you'd expect failures with newer models.

There's seems to be something wrong with production around the 2002 to early 2003 period. What we don't know for certain is if EVERY 2002 registered Stilo is at risk (or why).

Now up to 11 failures (10 = 2002; 1 = 2003)

Hmmmm interesting stuff - but I remain the only double failure? Jings

FIAT have some thinking to do with the new Bravo methinks (if it is indeed based on a Stilo floorpan and suspension etc) - oh well.

ABZSTILO said:

Hmmmm interesting stuff - but I remain the only double failure?

Click to expand...

:chin: You're the only Stilo 2003 registered.

...but you and three others share the distinction of double failures

It looks like failure is likely on either side but is most common on the near side (in the UK) which is most likely due to stress imposed by constant use of roundabouts.

Total Now 12 (11 = 2002; 1 = 2003)

Yes he's not alone in that department two broken for me as well got a pair of new springs on now but I cant help wondering how long these will last before joining all the others in spring heaven and we must all remember that this is only the tip of the iceberg with regards to this spring issue as we are only counting the forum members and NOT the public at large how many poor sods out there who dont realise what is what and cough up their hard earned money to fiat when this happens to them :chin:

PNL said:

Yes he's not alone in that department two broken for me as well

Click to expand...

I thought you replaced the 2nd as a precaution

got a pair of new springs on now but I cant help wondering how long these will last

Click to expand...

Should be OK - there's no evidence yet that replacement springs fail like those in 2002 models do (unless of course the garage got them very cheap from a very dodgy factory in Italy ).

Argonought said:

I thought you replaced the 2nd as a precaution

Should be OK - there's no evidence yet that replacement springs fail like those in 2002 models do (unless of course the garage got them very cheap from a very dodgy factory in Italy ).

Click to expand...

Dealer changed the second one after inspection and came out and said "I think we need to change the spring" cant you remember me reporting that in my original thread

I honestly think that this should be put into perspective. Since production started we (as a dealer ) have changed 4 springs due to fracture. We have 300 stilos on our database. We havent changed a suspension spring on stilo for approximately 5 months, and our parts department do not keep springs in stock as they do not sell fast enough.

NumanR said:

I honestly think that this should be put into perspective. .

Click to expand...

Which bit? The fact that it's possibly extremely dangerous to drive an unmodified Stilo of a certain vintage without FIATs recall modification fitted?

NumanR said:

Since production started we (as a dealer ) have changed 4 springs due to fracture We have 300 stilos on our database..

Click to expand...

How many of those 300 actually remain with their original owners, are still on the road and how many have been to your dealership to have the recall modification fitted?

NumanR said:

We havent changed a suspension spring on stilo for approximately 5 months, and our parts department do not keep springs in stock as they do not sell fast enough.

Click to expand...

They're unlikely to sell any unless they're free courtesy of FIAT. Let's face it, many more savvy owners are likely to seek out an alternative when they face the fact that the FIAT springs have an 'explosive' history.

If we are honestly going to put this into perspective then let's not mince around the subject - this is a serious matter for those of us who own Stilos. Whilst it might be less significant (whilst still shocking) to non Stilo owners (and indeed some dealers) let me assure you as the 'victim' of a double spring failure the perspective I have of the brand is less than savoury at the moment. Furthermore the car as a whole represents something potentially untrustworthy - I've never felt that with a car before (and I've had some dodgy motors over the years).
It would be unwise to suggest to someone who has had this happen to them that they should put it into 'perspective' as it affected only a small percentage of cars.
It's only affected a small percentage so far. Be thankful that your (NumanR) dealership hasn't had to deal with as many irrate Stilo owners as I'm sure others have had to do.
Perspective? Perspective my ar*e

:yeahthat: and thats why I would always advocate going away from that OE parts route I know I keep on about this but its the only logical course to take and the only SAFE route to take in this case

PNL said:

Dealer changed the second one after inspection and came out and said "I think we need to change the spring" cant you remember me reporting that in my original thread

Click to expand...

Not actually a 'live' failure then Phil (like ABZSTILO suffered). Is this the spring the dealer ended up paying for then rather than yourself and as a matter of interest did it show any signs of corrosion or other damage?

PNL said:

...and thats why I would always advocate going away from that OE parts route I know I keep on about this but it’s the only logical course to take and the only SAFE route to take in this case

Click to expand...

PNL, I've got to say, I think you're going a bit OTT on that one

Sure we know the springs are real dodgy on some (all?) 2002 models but it's crazy to suggest every other part of the car is the same. Hell! If that's the case then everyone might just as well drive their Stilo to the local scrap yard and hand them the keys

Argonought said:

Not actually a 'live' failure then Phil (like ABZSTILO suffered). Is this the spring the dealer ended up paying for then rather than yourself and as a matter of interest did it show any signs of corrosion or other damage?

PNL, I've got to say, I think you're going a bit OTT on that one

Sure we know the springs are real dodgy on some (all?) 2002 models but it's crazy to suggest every other part of the car is the same. Hell! If that's the case then everyone might just as well drive their Stilo to the local scrap yard and hand them the keys

Click to expand...

Yes the dealer changed the second one after they had a look and they[the service manager ]came out and said "we would like to change the spring now if you have time to stay" so I dont think they would have done that IF it had been safe to use the car and no charge to you we will get the money back from fiat [did they hell as like].

And with regards to going OTT well I personally dont think I am cos if an item has proved to be unreliable then would you go back and buy another one No I certainly wouldn't or in fact any sane person for that matter and my comments are only about the items that have consistently proved to be unreliable on the stilo such as springs /discs that warp at low mileage etc wouldn't get shot of the car because of those faults just dont fit OE parts and add an improvement to the car that's more reliable and IMHO the only way forward

ABZ as well as being a DET for fiat I also own a stilo, its also irrelevant how many cars are still with original owners as our database follows the cars and also the customers seperately, Fiat also update our database with any updates they have.
Regarding the "explosive history", how many non franchise garages/owners would know about spring failure unless they come on a forum like this? The world doesn't begin and end with FF so dealers will always get asked for spare parts whatever.
As one of the largest dealer groups in the uk, and in an area which has terrible roads, surely we would get more breakages than perhaps a central london dealer may?

NumanR

NumanR said:

ABZ as well as being a DET for fiat I also own a stilo, its also irrelevant how many cars are still with original owners as our database follows the cars and also the customers seperately, Fiat also update our database with any updates they have.
Regarding the "explosive history", how many non franchise garages/owners would know about spring failure unless they come on a forum like this? The world doesn't begin and end with FF so dealers will always get asked for spare parts whatever.
As one of the largest dealer groups in the uk, and in an area which has terrible roads, surely we would get more breakages than perhaps a central london dealer may?

NumanR

Click to expand...

What's a DET?

Where on earth in the UK has worse roads than London?