Technical 2016 Fiat 500 1.2 - new shocks needed

[Guerciotti]

Hi all,

The wife's car has 87,000 km on it and one of the front shocks is leaking and so needs replacing. In terms of what I need I think I need the following:

- Left and right shocks
- New top mounts
- New drop-links (I hear is an easy and cheap replacement since the shock is off)

Anything else?

Does anyone have a recommendation regarding what are the best shocks to buy? I don't want Monroe as they are OEM and failed already - TRW, Sachs ok? The ride is already firm enough on 16 wheels so don't want top go any firmer. Also is there any difference between left and right shocks? The Sachs are listed as R or L on the website I am looking at but not sure if this is right or not.

Thanks in advance.

 

[John202020]

Your list is correct

Different left and right Do both sides

New bump stops/dust shields? Goes in the top spring cup

I went for Sachs try Bilstein?
You'll need spring compressor tools

 

[The Panda Nut]

Hi all,

The wife's car has 87,000 km on it and one of the front shocks is leaking and so needs replacing. In terms of what I need I think I need the following:

- Left and right shocks
- New top mounts
- New drop-links (I hear is an easy and cheap replacement since the shock is off)

Anything else?

Does anyone have a recommendation regarding what are the best shocks to buy? I don't want Monroe as they are OEM and failed already - TRW, Sachs ok? The ride is already firm enough on 16 wheels so don't want top go any firmer. Also is there any difference between left and right shocks? The Sachs are listed as R or L on the website I am looking at but not sure if this is right or not.

Thanks in advance.

On our Pandas (et al) we have tried KYB - not recommended as they got so rusty so fast and seem to need doing after very few miles. Fiat - Notrecommended as ride is less good and they just are not worth the cost, I have also tried Bilstein and they were excellent but the bottom bush eyelets were too big and they rattled so came off the rear of the panda after just 1000 miles. Recently replaced our 169 front and rear with Monro which are reasonably priced and very good indeed I would go straight for these next time I have to buy some.

Obviously get new pinch bolts and top nuts. You will almost certainly foind the suspension arms are shot too and I would do them at the same time. You get new ball joints built in giving an entire new suspension. Make sure top mounts are correctly aligned even a few degrees off can cause knocks on the panda. Get hold of an impact wrench or drop link and top nut removal will be a pain to say the least. Make sure youn replace the bump stops and gaitors as well. If you have said impact wrench and spring compressors the job should be easy. Pinch bolts can be seized so loads of pentrating oil a week in advance, Undo and then wrap then back and fore before trying to remove Cost of new bolts is worth every penny.

 

[Danoid]

On our Pandas (et al) we have tried KYB - not recommended as they got so rusty so fast and seem to need doing after very few miles. Fiat - Notrecommended as ride is less good and they just are not worth the cost, I have also tried Bilstein and they were excellent but the bottom bush eyelets were too big and they rattled so came off the rear of the panda after just 1000 miles. Recently replaced our 169 front and rear with Monro which are reasonably priced and very good indeed I would go straight for these next time I have to buy some.

Obviously get new pinch bolts and top nuts. You will almost certainly foind the suspension arms are shot too and I would do them at the same time. You get new ball joints built in giving an entire new suspension. Make sure top mounts are correctly aligned even a few degrees off can cause knocks on the panda. Get hold of an impact wrench or drop link and top nut removal will be a pain to say the least. Make sure youn replace the bump stops and gaitors as well. If you have said impact wrench and spring compressors the job should be easy. Pinch bolts can be seized so loads of pentrating oil a week in advance, Undo and then wrap then back and fore before trying to remove Cost of new bolts is worth every penny.

When you say the bottoms rattled was that only on a panda?

I’m thinking of changing the rears on mine to bilstein b4’s and eventually the fronts but the fact you said it rattles makes me wonder whether it’s worth ignoring them.

Seems weird if they’re making them too big, unless the one you had was faulty or so hmm

 

[John202020]

When you say the bottoms rattled was that only on a panda?

I’m thinking of changing the rears on mine to bilstein b4’s and eventually the fronts but the fact you said it rattles makes me wonder whether it’s worth ignoring them.

Seems weird if they’re making them too big, unless the one you had was faulty or so hmm

Its possible that the bolt dia. changed in production maybe check yours and compare to the tech spec? We have KYB on the rear(car came with them) seem "OK" fronts I fitted Sachs, now after about 4 years something makes a noise over speed humps can't find what, not the drop links or top bearings or control arms, leaves springs or shocks, when I replaced them I replaced everything bar the steering track rod end

 

[The Panda Nut]

When you say the bottoms rattled was that only on a panda?

I’m thinking of changing the rears on mine to bilstein b4’s and eventually the fronts but the fact you said it rattles makes me wonder whether it’s worth ignoring them.

Seems weird if they’re making them too big, unless the one you had was faulty or so hmm

The ones I have are Bilstein B4 for the Panda rear, and the hole for the bolt to go through is 1mm too big. I have tried everything to get round this and failed to do so. If you buy them insist on guaranteed correct bushings for the standard bolts or bolts to fit. I failed to get the right bolts, tried to get tubed bushings to close it down and in the end tired making sleeve bushes nothing worked. If you want to try these you can have them for the postage. They are very good dampers and the ride was massively improved but I wouldnt buy anything else from them without taking the old bits to compare and mircometers to measure £65 down the drain!. Let me know if you would liek to try these and Ill get the part numbers which may be same as for the 500. The ride was superb but accompanied by constant clonking. I have to say the Monro dampers are as good to all intents you would be hard pushed to fault them by comparrison but they fit properly. Cost of rebushing is 90% of the cost of repalcements!!!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Its possible that the bolt dia. changed in production maybe check yours and compare to the tech spec? We have KYB on the rear(car came with them) seem "OK" fronts I fitted Sachs, now after about 4 years something makes a noise over speed humps can't find what, not the drop links or top bearings or control arms, leaves springs or shocks, when I replaced them I replaced everything bar the steering track rod end

No bolts are ALL the same its just Bilstein that sell things that dont fit. They have been told in no uncertain terms so may have rectified the issue. I was a great fan for many years but not any more.

My only recourse is to get fatter bolts and start modifying tji gs to accomodate Bilsteins badly specced items. I will not compromise safety so this is not a consideration.

 

[Danoid]

No bolts are ALL the same its just Bilstein that sell things that dont fit. They have been told in no uncertain terms so may have rectified the issue. I was a great fan for many years but not any more.

My only recourse is to get fatter bolts and start modifying tji gs to accomodate Bilsteins badly specced items. I will not compromise safety so this is not a consideration.

Was the part number 19-184104 for the rear b4’s? I can’t find any documents to say the size so if it is the same I’ll get something else.

Annoying as I’m one of those people that procrastinates for ages thinking I know what to get, but if it’s the same part number I’ll think about what to get for the next few months

 

[The Panda Nut]

Was the part number 19-184104 for the rear b4’s? I can’t find any documents to say the size so if it is the same I’ll get something else.

Annoying as I’m one of those people that procrastinates for ages thinking I know what to get, but if it’s the same part number I’ll think about what to get for the next few months

Will check tomorrow

 

[Danoid]

Will check tomorrow

Hey, I was wondering if you’ve had chance to look at the part number?

Drove the 500 again today and felt sea sick whilst driving again

 

[The Panda Nut]

Sorry not too good on following up but have set alarm for toimorrow morning.

 

[The Panda Nut]

3118BNEE226BG Is the number stamped in the metal

 

[The Panda Nut]

Monro fitted now are just as good as the Bilsteins, they have been doing fine for 2 years and are still good. The correct size bushes too.
Nice controlled ride and way better than KYB I fitted to my Panda 100. They are gas filled too. Panda 100 KYB's failed their test a fter 4 years.Bilstein PArt that have used and still have

Bilstein B4 - Gas Damper 19-142265​

Does anyone want these.. Current retail is £48 each! I am gloing to put them on the classifieds here for 1 month and them throw them away so if your interested please shout.

 

[Danoid]

Thanks for getting that, when you ordered them was the part 19-142265 as that is different to the ones they say fit the 500 which is 19-184104?

I wonder if that’s why it rattled about and they’ve changed to 19-184104

 

[Guerciotti]

Hi all,
Just to give you a quick update I fitted new TRW front shocks, new Febi top mounts, new Febi bump stops / dust boots and new TRW drop links.

The ride is much more controlled and it doesn't make a 'clonk' anymore when hitting a bump so I'm very happy !

Upon inspection after removal the original shocks were both leaking and didn't 'return' when pressed so had completely gone.

I'm going to fit new TRW shocks for the rear and rear spring bump stops now !

Thanks for your help and advice.

 

[Guerciotti]

Fitted the new TRW shocks and Febi rear spring bump stops. Like the fronts, the rear shocks didn't 'return' and the bump stops were hanging off so is a good job I did it !

The bump stops didn't want to go in initially but I used some vaseline and a floor jack to push them in and it worked.

Overall the car feels so much better and 'new'.

 

[DaveMcT]

Just to add - The new shocks come with a new top nut. The special stepped nut is re-used. If the rubber tops are good (usually are) you can get new bearings alone. The old bump stop is often good but you can check before doing the job. Ditto spring top seat.