Fitting suspension...easy job turns into a nightmare

[muppet42]

Well, went to fit my Eibach bits, using the guide on the Fiat Forum and it's went totally and utterly tits up.

First, my mate didn't read the guide completely about supporting the strut while loosening some of the bolts so out went all the gearbox fluid

But fair enough, that can be replaced.

So, we go onto fitting the first strut, no problem, done in 10 minutes. Second front strut, loosening the bolts, bottom one won't come out. Try WD40 and moving back and forth, nope. Try angle grinding the head off and tapping it through, nope. Try angle grinding the damn old strut off around it and getting it off that way, nope. Try drilling it out once the strut's out the way, nope, the titanium drill bit won't go through the bolt.

So, now I've left my car at my mates 20 miles away since it's now been rendered un-drivable, on axle stands and hoping and praying that a local garage can come out with some sort of tool that loosen this fecking bolt or drill it out some how. God knows how much it's going to cost to put right as well. I swear, it's the little things that ruin everything

Oh yeah and to top it all off, I found out the springs Fiat fitted to the front of my 1.2 Stilo were actually meant to be for the heavier JTD/Abarth. I wondered why it sat so high as well

Anyway, I'm away now to have a nervous breakdown...

 

[steve119]

one word mate......ouch!!

you may need a tap and dye set while you're at it!!

 

[muppet42]

one word mate......ouch!!

you may need a tap and dye set while you're at it!!

Shall find out on Thursday when the mechanic comes round to "have a look". Think it'll need the surrounding metal torched and then tapped out, but that'll be a garage job which'll probably mean a hoist and flatbed

I had some cash set aside for induction, but I'm hoping it won't take all of it (a few hundred) to put right, though guessing it's a distinct possibility.

Couldn't believe the springs I took off though. Were almost double the size of the Sportlines. I guess when it's all put right and on the full Eibach set up, it'll be lower than I thought it would be

 

[M21MFS]

Shall find out on Thursday when the mechanic comes round to "have a look". Think it'll need the surrounding metal torched and then tapped out, but that'll be a garage job which'll probably mean a hoist and flatbed

I had some cash set aside for induction, but I'm hoping it won't take all of it (a few hundred) to put right, though guessing it's a distinct possibility.

Couldn't believe the springs I took off though. Were almost double the size of the Sportlines. I guess when it's all put right and on the full Eibach set up, it'll be lower than I thought it would be

Fingers crossed mate!

 

[Stuart]

if at first you dont suceed, get a bigger hammer lol, hopefully you get it sorted bud

 

[muppet42]

Cheers guys, hopefully it will be.

 

[muppet42]

Well, £240 later and it's all sorted. Broke down to getting the bolt out, fitting the new springs and dampers and of course the evil VAT. Still though, glad it's sorted.

Shall put up some pics when the lovely May weather improves

 

[Stuart]

glad you got it sorted bud

 

[muppet42]

glad you got it sorted bud

Thanks mate, trying to get some dry weather to exploit the better handling/take some good pics seems to be the next challenge

Got some briefly tonight before the heavens opened, shall hopefully be getting better one's on the 24th

 

[M21MFS]

Nice, some good shots of the car there mate

 

[muppet42]

Cheers, there was literally a down pour of rain forest severity moments later as well