General Broken Springs POLL II

[Argonought]

The first poll suggests ALL types of front spring fitted to Stilos are prone to failure with greatest risk limited to 2002/3 models. The link to the first poll is here.

This 2nd poll is designed to find what events might lead up to spring failure and in particular to check for a possible link between creaking suspension and impending spring failure.

If you’ve suffered front spring failure then, apart from taking part in the poll, please feel free to post as much detail about the event as you wish.

This thread is to try and find more information as to why springs fail. So please do not fill it will posts about how angry you are with your dealer or with Fiat, how you hate your Stilo or how much you love your Stilo for that matter. Plenty of other threads for that if you want

 

[PNL]

You didnt put a dont know how it happened in the list

 

[ChrisMClark]

No break, but knocking on rear suspension/chassis.

 

[dan-the-man]

No break, but noisey front and rear suspension that will be solved on the weekend with about 4 tubs of grease lol

 

[Rich]

My front is a bit bangy, but my rear passenger side is squeaking like a goodun - always has, buy my awful drive at uni is making it worse. Will be interesting come MOT time!!

 

[PNL]

Thanks Argo I voted the last one now

 

[dave]

:devil:

 

[Argonought]

Thanks Argo I voted the last one now

Well, it could only be you Phil

So far - very good news for anyone who likes to take their Stilo for a long blast down country lanes in sub-zero temperatures

 

[Juelz]

My springs are alright so far but my front suspension bangs like a bitch whenever I go over a pothole and my rear suspension seems to be squeaking quite a bit as well.

 

[PNL]

LMAO theres three votes in the last one now so I not alone :woot: :woot: :worship: wondering who the others are tho :chin: hehehe

 

[NanoSi]

LMAO theres three votes in the last one now so I not alone :woot: :woot: :worship: wondering who the others are tho :chin: hehehe

 

[wotnowarninglight]

NSF Spring CREAKING... reminds me of an old wooden sailing ship Noticable on low speed manouvering only whilst winding lots of lock on and off... should I go buy the spring compressors now folks?

 

[Argonought]

NSF Spring CREAKING... reminds me of an old wooden sailing ship Noticable on low speed manouvering only whilst winding lots of lock on and off... should I go buy the spring compressors now folks?

The poll results already shows there's no correlation between suspension noise and springs breaking. The percentage of members reporting noisy suspension compared to those that aren't is pretty much the same whether their springs have broken or not - hence no correlation.

Why don't you give the suspension bushes a good lube (WAXOYL is my favourite) and give anything with a rubber content a good coating.

Most likely all it is

 

[Whintersby]

My second front spring snapped yesterday.

It must've gone as I pulled up to park at my house on Saturday evening (although I didn't hear it go) as no problems before I got out on Sat, but upon driving off on Sunday morning there was an immediate and very worrying metal on metal scraping noise, combined with feedback through the steering wheel and pedals. At first I thought something (maybe a stone) had got caught in the brake caliper or something, but upon removing the wheel found the spring had sheared clean off and was rubbing on my wheel whilst attempting to puncture my tyre. The spring looked as good as new and showed zero evidence or wear or corrosion, therefore FIAT's fob-off excuse cannot be the truth.

The scariest thought was if it hadn't been catching on the metal interior of the wheel and making a noise I probably wouldn't have noticed until I pulled onto the M1 and was killed as my exploding tyre pitched me into the centre barrier.

The first spring went about four months ago, but wasn't as noticable due to the spring still being held up on its base.

I can't beleive FIAT aren't worried about being sued over something so dangerous.

 

[CraigB]

It happened just as I pulled out of my road, spring snapped and lodged against front tyre. Luckily my brother owns a recovery truck or would have been mighty expensive. Your theory about 2001/2002 models could be right.
A bit dissapointing after only having it 8 days, all done now though so hopefully I can now get the enjoyment from her I was after.

 

[wotnowarninglight]

Thanks for the lube up suggestion Argo...

Whintersby... agree, its probably only a matter of time before there is a serious incident as a result of a spring snapping resulting in death or serious injury and it is supprising that FIAT's response is limited to the spring cup fitting recall, rather than spring replacement, as was the case with the Multipla.

Having covered 10K in the last 6 months in the JTD during the winter months (summer mileage tends to be higher still) it plays on my mind, especially with a couple of holidays coming up including a bit of Autobahn blatting... would be happier fitting a set of aftermarket springs with a modest 30mm drop for piece of mind but my insurance company won't entertain modifications :bang:

 

[Argonought]

... would be happier fitting a set of aftermarket springs with a modest 30mm drop for piece of mind but my insurance company won't entertain modifications :bang:

Unbelievable - such irony

 

[dan-the-man]

I know what you mean waitnowarninglight tesco wanted another £200 a year for lowering the car

Have you throught about getting stiffer spring with standard height as this wouldn't affect your insurance?

 

[Whintersby]

It happened just as I pulled out of my road, spring snapped and lodged against front tyre. Luckily my brother owns a recovery truck or would have been mighty expensive.

Luckily my Abarth has a space-saver spare wheel (or do all stilos have those?), therefore changing onto that allowed me to drive very carefully to the garage without the spring catching.

I have now bought and fitted aftermarket springs with a 35mm drop all-round for peace of mind more than anything - although I was always looking for an excuse to get it lowered

Haven't told my insurance (I know some insurance companies allow a certain number of upgrades before it affects your policy) but will be checking my documentation as whether I should or not.

Has everyone else who's fitted lowering springs informed their insurance?

 

[Kieran83]

Just had the car in the dealer for a new brake light switch and to my utter amazement they addressed the recall without saying a word! Basically they have put a new surround for the strut brace which makes it impossible for the spring to pop out....didnt change the springs as i had hoped though.

Also, i have just phoned Fiat Uk and they are going to have a look at my complaint after i kicked up a stink when i had to have the nearside spring changed....fingers crossed.