Technical Front top suspension mounts

[grimwau]

Just took the car in today for the airbag software update and the also carried out a free safety service. Both rear tyres 7mm across the whole tread, both front tyres 6mm on inner and outer edges and 7mm in the centres.

These are brand new Continentals with 400 miles on them only so how come some of you have more tread even after 3000 miles? Do different tyre manufacturers tread depths on new tyres vary ?

I think I might increase the front pressures to 34lbs PSI to even out the edge wear, currently on 33lbs PSI.

 

[jiveblue500]

Hi, I've just taken my 1.2 POP in for it's 3rd yr service and MOT. I asked them to look into the knocking noise which I've noticed for a while, not just at the back of the car but also front passenger side also. Any ideas what these might be and whether I'd get these on my warranty...which runs out in less than a month!
Thanks

 

[306maxi]

Hi, I've just taken my 1.2 POP in for it's 3rd yr service and MOT. I asked them to look into the knocking noise which I've noticed for a while, not just at the back of the car but also front passenger side also. Any ideas what these might be and whether I'd get these on my warranty...which runs out in less than a month!
Thanks

Balljoints, droplinks or bushes probably.

 

[jnoiles]

Balljoints, droplinks or bushes probably.

If it's drop links you'll only pay £44 a pair. If it's ball joints you'll pay north of £200 for the set, you can't get the balljoint by itself, it's integrated into the wishbones. If you replace them, get an alignment done afterwards. And if they've been this way for a while listen for any bearing squeaking afterwards.

I say all this as someone who did all this last week

 

[306maxi]

If it's drop links you'll only pay £44 a pair. If it's ball joints you'll pay north of £200 for the set, you can't get the balljoint by itself, it's integrated into the wishbones. If you replace them, get an alignment done afterwards. And if they've been this way for a while listen for any bearing squeaking afterwards.

I say all this as someone who did all this last week

Jason, might interest you. I found this site

http://seekpart24.com/fiat/500-07/1-4-2

They sell wishbones, droplinks, tie rod ends, rack ends and the like. I figure that stuff from QH or Febi can't be any worse than the crap that Fiat send out with the 500 from the factory! When the balljoints go on our 500 (which seems inevitable) I won't be fitting genuine bits that's for sure

 

[jrkitching]

When the balljoints go on our 500 (which seems inevitable) I won't be fitting genuine bits that's for sure

Me neither. And as most if not all of these bits are common to the Panda & Ka there's sure to be a good selection of aftermarket parts to choose from at reasonable prices. The sheer volume of cars sold make all 3 a good long term prospect for cheap DIY maintenance.

By way of example, on the old model Ka you can buy the wishbone bushes seperately (though not the balljoints) - they cost only pennies though you really need a hydraulic press to fit them, and complete aftermarket wishbones can be had for under £25.

 

[306maxi]

Me neither. And as most if not all of these bits are common to the Panda & Ka there's sure to be a good selection of aftermarket parts to choose from at reasonable prices. The sheer volume of cars sold make all 3 a good long term prospect for cheap DIY maintenance.

By way of example, on the old model Ka you can buy the wishbone bushes seperately (though not the balljoints) - they cost only pennies though you really need a hydraulic press to fit them, and complete aftermarket wishbones can be had for under £25.

The Panda and 500/Ka wishbones are different sadly.

I really don't like being made to pay dealer prices for crap bits

I'm not working after next thursday so the first job is to order some pads and discs and I'm going to see if I can find somewhere that can supply good quality parts for the front steering and suspension at a reasonable price.

Curiously the bushes for the front wishbone are available seperately even though the arms (presumably) already come with them which is a bit strange considering that the balljoint is the weak point.

I know I must seem Scottish or something (Sorry Venters! ) but I've always been the sort of person who would rather spend money now to save money later I spent about £160 on consumables for the 500 for the first 3 services but over those 3 years it'll save me ~£210+ and it also means that a good chunk of the service has already been prepaid which is always a good thing.

 

[T14086]

lower arms need bumper removed so labour is higher than panda etc, never seen a worn ball joint on a 500 but done a few on pandas.

 

[jnoiles]

lower arms need bumper removed so labour is higher than panda etc, never seen a worn ball joint on a 500 but done a few on pandas.

Send me a postal address, you can have my old worn ones for reference.

 

[T14086]

Never 'seen or done one' done but then again I only get the crap jobs!

 

[fellowsuk]

Just an update to this. fiat willenhall are a nightmare. Collected the car twice and it was bought back without any work being done to it for different reasons. Then all that was done was the suspension mount (tbh I can't tell that anything has been done at all) I also had to pay for the tracking to be done to avoid uneven tyre wear again as the other tyre is/was starting to show signs of uneven wear.