Technical Front Shock Replacement Type

[gerwoods]

Had difficulty finding new replacements (Fiat said 2 to 6 weeks). Got 2 different types from local suppliers (both wrong).
Contacted Alfashop ([email protected]) who supplied 2 new Bilstein Shocks which fitted & worked perfectly.

 

[koalar]

You don't say if it front or rear

Bilstein don't supply a specific 100HP

The front B4 and B6 are the same as the 1.3 diesel, the stabilizer bar pick up is in a different place

OEM shock uses these stabilizer bars

To fit the Bilstein Shocks 1.3 diesel shock you need to change them for these

Unless they have already been fitted in the past

 

[gerwoods]

The heading was Front Shock Replacement.
I bought this car new, it never has had any Suspension work done, so the Drop Links have never been replaced.
I got 2 different shocks locally. 1 had the Drop Link Mount lower down + the shock body & shaft were much narrower.
The 2nd one had the Drop Link in the correct location & the Shock body was the correct size, but shaft was approx 50mm longer.
The new Bilstien had everything in the correct position & the correct length / size.

 

[koalar]

Check the angle they will fit fine

Here a 1.3 strut with a 100hp stabilizer bar fitted, now no longer vertical

Here an originally 100hp strut with an offset pick up point, this is what should be fitted, no others are listed as fitted by fiat, it's possible some did leave the factory who knows

the rest of the range more central pick up

 

[cooperman]

The 100hp used both types of drop links during its production to confuse things, it changed around 2008.
If I’m honest I still don’t really get what the difference was and with the passing of time and different shocks being fitted I couldn’t tell you what would fit, your better just fitting like for like with them.
The pick-up of the shocks I fitted where straight but listed as 1.3/1.4 so as I said it’s a bit of a minefield.

 

[gerwoods]

I understand what you say regarding the Upper Drop Link Mount. The Upper Mount on the Bilstein (i have fitted) is in the same position and angle as the original Fiat Shock.
I have included some pics.

 

[koalar]

The 100hp used both types of drop links during its production to confuse things, it changed around 2008.

Are you sure on this, I seen this posted before. The picture I posted earlier was from a 2009 car

There normally hard to obtain and £160 each, instead of paying out over £300 they often get swapped out at nearly 20 year it likely there on there 2nd or 3rd set by now


Fiat parts catalogue show unique part for 2006-2009 and 2010

As does shop4parts

original Fiat Shock

Is the part number label still on it

If it is a photo would help

 

[The Panda Nut]

See also Shocks Direct.co.uk via eBay. They seem to know their business and they have various price options.

 

[gerwoods]

I looked up your Magneti Marelli S4P4239 which is listed on Shop4Parts as Front Shock RHS. The picture they show is a Rear Shock.
The Label is still on both my Original Shocks. When i contacted Fiat Ireland, they said the original Part Number (in the pic) is updated to 518 57 326.

 

[koalar]

LH and RH 257 and 258 are the correct part for the 100HP
With have an offset drop link mount

According to BILSTEIN catalogue this is the replacement

With the drop link mount in a different position

What year is your car

 

[gerwoods]

My Car is 2009. They are the Biilstein Shocks I have fitted and can assure you the Mounts are in the correct position.
I did have all the dimensions and pictures of a side to side comparison, but have deleted them.

 

[gerwoods]

Forgot to mention, the Mount is not perpendicular to the Shock tube but is angled, just like the original. See Pic 2 above.
When refitting the Drop Link it pops in at the same height as the original.

 

[cooperman]

Are you sure on this, I seen this posted before. The picture I posted earlier was from a 2009 car

There normally hard to obtain and £160 each, instead of paying out over £300 they often get swapped out at nearly 20 year it likely there on there 2nd or 3rd set by now


Fiat parts catalogue show unique part for 2006-2009 and 2010

View attachment 475770





View attachment 475771





As does shop4parts

View attachment 475768
View attachment 475769


Is the part number label still on it

If it is a photo would help

I’m as sure as you can be with Italian part numbers!
When you check on eper and drill down to the 100hp it gives 2 part numbers for the drop links, 51856872 is the drop link with the fittings the different way round and are compatible with ‘electric steering’ if you click on the ‘E112’.
While 51856873 are the same way and show compatible with 16v when you click on the ‘M17’
I would say it would be more the 51856873 part for the 100hp so the one with the fittings the same way looking at epar.
Maybe!

 

[gerwoods]

If you look at Pic 5 you can see my Drop Links have the fittings on the same side (as I mentioned above, they are original drop links).

 

[cooperman]

If you look at Pic 5 you can see my Drop Links have the fittings on the same side (as I mentioned above, they are original drop links).

I’m starting to think these are the correct ones for a standard 100hp, I have the other ones fitted (where they point in different directions) and I get rubbing on full lock with them which would explain that.

 

[koalar]

I suspect 51857326 50708257 are the same part just out off different factory or slightly different manufacturing process, it's just a way of tracking Inventory, if one or other start to fail they know which factory or process has the problem


line to shut down

They both have the same offset mount both are listed only for the 100hp

And

and are designed for this drop link

Any aftermarket shock that also fits the 1.3D has the more central drop link mount which will require the drop link with the ball joint opposing each other


This type mount

Requires

I can't see anything that points to a swap over period, except for one mention on this forum, the secondhand ones I posted earlier were from a 2009 being broken for parts

We have recently had a someone have the shocked changed at a garage and they fitted the wrong shock, didn't tell the customer and didn't change the drop link type, and when it rattled told the customer it had loose springs


It's possible some were fitted at the factory, but I don't see why Fiat would specify a unique shock then not use them, I suspect the loose springs on full droop might have something to do with this also

 

[koalar]

I looked up your Magneti Marelli S4P4239 which is listed on Shop4Parts as Front Shock RHS. The picture they show is a Rear Shock.
The Label is still on both my Original Shocks. When i contacted Fiat Ireland, they said the original Part Number (in the pic) is updated to 518 57 326.

Your label says this

So it's one of these

The replacement is one of these

Camera angle can be deceptive but it does not look like the drop link is at the right angle and would benefit if changed to one with opposing ends to move the bottom a cm or so closer to the wheel

No big deal, when the stabilisers isn't vertical to the bars movement, body roll will be increase, it will be none linear, and probably puts more pressure on ball joints reducing its longevity


Of course I am going of photos and the information given, so could be wrong

 

[gerwoods]

What I have now is what Fiat had Originally. That's good enough for me.