Technical Front Suspension Rebound

[Brinky]

My 69 500 sits fairly high in the front and knocks as the front spring rebounds to the shock extension limit.
It would seem that there is no rebound bumper leavng the shock to control the rebound limit.

 

[usafstud]

Can you post some pics?

 

[Damon500]

Hi Brinky,
Australian Fiat 500F's have an extra leaf in the front spring to increase the height of the front end for headlight height regulations.
You can remove the spring and get it reset at a lower setting by a spring maker if you want to level it up- having said that I haven't experienced the problem you describe on any of the Australian 500's I have driven (including my own which still has a standard front spring)
The rebound bumper should be in the centre of the spring on top of the front spring clamp bolt- as the spring rebounds the rubber bump stop should contact the floorpan in the centre.
I would think it would require a pretty big bump for this to be a problem though... Are the shock absorbers and bushes in good condition?

 

[Brinky]

Front shocks new with new rubbers. The noise is deinitely the shock reaching full extend on rebound. This occurrs before the extend snubber on top of the spring contacts the underbody. I am wondering if the shocks are too short at full extend or the spring rubbers are fitted incorrectly allowing the spring to sit lower than required.

 

[Damon500]

Interesting- are the shocks correct? The rear shocks are a lot shorter than front- my car had front shocks in the back which caused some dire handling characteristics- if you want to measure the full extended length I will compare with some I have.

 

[Brinky]

Full extend length 330mm from washer flange to flange. 440 mm total length from ends of shaft.