Mike1alike
Established member
Told you those are good!
Technical Rear axle and replacing springs
- Thread starter Aad Doix
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Technical Rear axle and replacing springs
Did some measurements as requested, I calculated that a full tank of gas is around 27kg and I have exactly a quarter left so I placed a 20kg kettlebell in the boot (trunk?) (I use it at least once, both trunk and kettlebell 
). I have other rims 175-65-14 instead of 155-80-13 which results in a tyre-rim combination with a 0.5 centimeter increase, so given this information a ride height of maximum 63.1 centimeter instead of 62.6 should be the result.
Well, the ride height is 66.4 centimeters and the wire diameter should be 12mm as described by Ridex, the website of supplier and according to the article number shown on the packaging. Well, it is 13,5mm, measured it three times to be sure, but the wires are a bit thicker than expected ..... So, are those springs still the right one or did I receive a spring with other specifications than purchased and stated on the packaging?
And then of course the 64 million dollar (Pounds, sorry) question: does it affect handling negatively or not? So far it still drives better than with the old springs and shocks, but those were worn .....
). I have other rims 175-65-14 instead of 155-80-13 which results in a tyre-rim combination with a 0.5 centimeter increase, so given this information a ride height of maximum 63.1 centimeter instead of 62.6 should be the result.Well, the ride height is 66.4 centimeters and the wire diameter should be 12mm as described by Ridex, the website of supplier and according to the article number shown on the packaging. Well, it is 13,5mm, measured it three times to be sure, but the wires are a bit thicker than expected ..... So, are those springs still the right one or did I receive a spring with other specifications than purchased and stated on the packaging?
And then of course the 64 million dollar (Pounds, sorry) question: does it affect handling negatively or not? So far it still drives better than with the old springs and shocks, but those were worn .....
Mike1alike
Established member
Yes, those springs are alright! The diameter is 1.5 mm larger than given specs. That doesn't affect negative in any way, it's a plus, better mechanical resistance.
Having it rear end higher 3.3 cm compared to data you found does not affect negatively driving it, in any way, shape of form. It's just better. And in time, the springs will drop a little bit.
Having it rear end higher 3.3 cm compared to data you found does not affect negatively driving it, in any way, shape of form. It's just better. And in time, the springs will drop a little bit.
Does it effect the handling
Yes
Altered spring rate
Altered center of gravity
Does it effect comfort / ride
Yes
Altered spring rate
Does it effect braking
Yes
More weight transfer to front
Are they the wrong part
Yes
They are are stiffer than they should be, even allowing for paint thickness
Will they settle
No, unless they are badly made
OEM springs are within a couple of mm after 100K miles if I remember right,, I believe it was @The Panda Nut car we checked, maybe they can confirm, otherwise I will look up the old post
If you poodle around town you will not notice much difference in except maybe an increase in harshness
Was it 188C0551 on the box
Yes
Altered spring rate
Altered center of gravity
Does it effect comfort / ride
Yes
Altered spring rate
Does it effect braking
Yes
More weight transfer to front
Are they the wrong part
Yes
They are are stiffer than they should be, even allowing for paint thickness
Will they settle
No, unless they are badly made
OEM springs are within a couple of mm after 100K miles if I remember right,, I believe it was @The Panda Nut car we checked, maybe they can confirm, otherwise I will look up the old post
If you poodle around town you will not notice much difference in except maybe an increase in harshness
Was it 188C0551 on the box
The box definitely sais 188C0551:
I allmost think that Ridex sent me this one?
https://www.autodoc.nl/ridex/15199987
RIDEX 188C0952 / OE 51780554 — FIAT & OE 51752213 — FIAT
This spring is 318 just a nonnoticable little longer but was the only one I could find with a diameter of 13mm ,,,,,
I allmost think that Ridex sent me this one?
https://www.autodoc.nl/ridex/15199987
RIDEX 188C0952 / OE 51780554 — FIAT & OE 51752213 — FIAT
This spring is 318 just a nonnoticable little longer but was the only one I could find with a diameter of 13mm ,,,,,
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Mike1alike
Established member
Pfffff...
If I was to hazard a guess I would say you have the 4x4 springs, wrong part in box
They are are a little longer and the wire is an little thicker
Being stiffer and longer would account for it riding higher
My feeling is they should replace them for you FOC
They are are a little longer and the wire is an little thicker
Being stiffer and longer would account for it riding higher
My feeling is they should replace them for you FOC
What does FOC mean?
And I am totally lost now, in ePER I see different OEM numbers for the Panda 169 1.2 and 1.2 4x4 but on Autodoc the same Ridex springs are shown for both types. All that fiddling with different numbers and article numbers, why does it have to be so damn complicated and costly for the customer due to incorrect or incomplete information from suppliers?
The springs are already mounted, the order was placed end of September, so swapping and return is not possible anymore, also by the fact that changing those things, how simple for most of you, still takes some deliberate time for me due to lack of skills and most of all lack of proper working space .
But to be honest, I really don't like the stance of the car now but I also hate it to get underneath again trying to replace with whatever will be send to me then, because I am not sure how to order the right springs without endless trying and buying, assembly and disassembly .....
And I am totally lost now, in ePER I see different OEM numbers for the Panda 169 1.2 and 1.2 4x4 but on Autodoc the same Ridex springs are shown for both types. All that fiddling with different numbers and article numbers, why does it have to be so damn complicated and costly for the customer due to incorrect or incomplete information from suppliers?
The springs are already mounted, the order was placed end of September, so swapping and return is not possible anymore, also by the fact that changing those things, how simple for most of you, still takes some deliberate time for me due to lack of skills and most of all lack of proper working space .
But to be honest, I really don't like the stance of the car now but I also hate it to get underneath again trying to replace with whatever will be send to me then, because I am not sure how to order the right springs without endless trying and buying, assembly and disassembly .....
FOC = Free of charge
They don't match the specification for that part number on ridex own catalouge
Good rule of thumb
51780554 4x4
51793551 except 4x4 and 100hp
They don't match the specification for that part number on ridex own catalouge
Good rule of thumb
51780554 4x4
51793551 except 4x4 and 100hp
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
They may fit and allow the car to go, but a good idea, NO.
For me this stiffens my belief that that most, OK not all, OEM original Fiat parts are the only way to go. I fitted KYB to my Leon, and KYB struts to my Panda 100. In both cases I regretted it. The struts lasted only 3 years and the springs while still sound on the Leon rusted so fast it was a joke. If you have the wrong part I would insist its being swapped over free of charge. Even then you will have the annoyance of changing the things again.
For me this stiffens my belief that that most, OK not all, OEM original Fiat parts are the only way to go. I fitted KYB to my Leon, and KYB struts to my Panda 100. In both cases I regretted it. The struts lasted only 3 years and the springs while still sound on the Leon rusted so fast it was a joke. If you have the wrong part I would insist its being swapped over free of charge. Even then you will have the annoyance of changing the things again.
Describing is one, but showing is all, or how do you say that in proper English? In comparison with the old springs my car is now 3.5 / 4 centimeters higher at the back, but to be honest I don't know what other Pandas look like on standard coil springs, so to get a really proper view on this situation here a picture:
Mike1alike
Established member
"A picture is worth a thousand words".
You're going for the sporty look? In that case you could put bigger wheels in there - plenty of room now!
Cross
Standard
Springs are too stiff and too long
They are closest to the cross
And gives similar results
Standard
Springs are too stiff and too long
They are closest to the cross
And gives similar results
