Technical RECALL: Service Solution for Suspension Springs

[Stilo_ste]

The very first post describes affected chassis numbers.

 

[nidza]

Am I really so bad in English?

1. I know my Stilo is affected.
2. My question is - How can i check if the previous owner (back in Italy) has fixed the suspension already, or not?

Is it posible to check visualy?

edit: sorry people, saw the picture on 5th page of thread. They actually do not change the springs, but put some plastic parts? Quite intresting, can't imagine how this helps the spring not to cancel it's services.

 

[Stilo_ste]

I think that this is a major sticking point. The contraption doesn't stop the spring breaking, just prevents a potential consequence of the spring puncturing the tyre.

IMO they should change the springs on this recall notification.

 

[PNL]

IMO they should change the springs on this recall notification.

Correction Steve they should change the springs for nice shiny eibach ones and not the fiat ones so we know they wont break again :devil:

 

[Argonought]

Actually Phil, according to Steve's recent information the new springs don't break

.....which once again makes you wonder why they don't just replace the springs and be done with it

 

[PNL]

Actually Phil, according to Steve's recent information the new springs don't break

.....which once again makes you wonder why they don't just replace the springs and be done with it

Is that correct can you point me to that post ..must have been having one of my afternoon snoozes to have missed that snippet of info

 

[Stilo_ste]

Here you go old timer. Maybe a trip to the opticians would be on the cards for you.
https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/95397-broken-springs-poll-ii-3.html

The new ones are to a new spec, design and material than the old, so should now (hopefully) not break

 

[PNL]

Was in my dealers today picking up some selenia 20K oil for Junes new stilo and the receptionist said to me we have in the spring catcher kits now will you come in next Wed morning ..fine I said thats ok with me.. so that will cover me incase another one of these wonderfull fiat springs should snap until I change the buggers ..the truth is of course I get to drink as much hot chocolate as I wont and read all their playboy mags while I'm waiting :devil:

He also asked me I had the car lowered because if it was I didnt need the bodge

 

[Stilo_ste]

Got the car back today, feels much better than it did before.

New springs and still fitted the bodge thingy.

 

[Bombay]

Here you go old timer. Maybe a trip to the opticians would be on the cards for you.
https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/95397-broken-springs-poll-ii-3.html

The new ones are to a new spec, design and material than the old, so should now (hopefully) not break

I have repeatedly asked Fiat UK, if the spring specification has changed since the recall and, as you would expect, no reply months later.:bang:
Talking to the Main Dealer, they say this information is not available to them and the only thing they can say, the part number is the same, so the spring must be the same. Other postings on this forum suggests that the Main Dealers are giving out conflicting information to their customers i.e. “ spring is not the issue it’s the spring cup” “the recall was for the dampers not the coil” “ it’s a design fault with the spring”
If Victor Chambers are telling you the material, corrosion protection and design of the new springs has changed they are admitting that Fiat UK got it wrong and should have just replaced the springs.:bang:
Also if this is the case why doesn’t Fiat UK officially issue this information to all it’s Main Dealers, VOSA and it’s customers.
I smell a rat and it certainly stinks all over the Fiat network.

 

[Bombay]

He also asked me I had the car lowered because if it was I didnt need the bodge [/QUOTE]




What an admission, if you have lowered springs these won’t break and you don’t need the catcher,:bang: is this because they are superior quality to the Fiat ones?
Sorry no prizes for getting the answer correct first time.

 

[Stilo_ste]

I have emailed Victor today reminding him of his responsibilities that he agreed on last week, ie giving me all the documentation to support the chosen path of fitting the bodge instead of actually addressing the issue of the excessive spring failure rates. I'll see if it arrives as promised on Monday.

He was actually quite helpful on the phone, but not sure if he can back that up with results.

He diffinitely said that the spring material, design, corrosion protection and specificition had changed. I also asked for drawings of these parts, but doubt he will have them. The spec should be good enough though to answer any questions.

I will try to post up what ever information is sent to me.


Part number not changing only means that the new revision is completely compatible with the old system, ie there is no change to fit, form or function.

 

[Stilo_ste]

Although the information was promised yesterday, surprise, surprise it hasn't arrived yet.

 

[SchooweeNick]

Part number not changing only means that the new revision is completely compatible with the old system, ie there is no change to fit, form or function.

Part number not changing means it is the exact same part.. Manufacturers are required by legislation to change part number's when any alteration is made. Fiat have so many supersessions on part numbers its ridiculous. Even a change of manufacturer/supplier means a part number change although the actual part may be exactly the same.. Trust me if Fiat had changed the spring design in ANY way there would be what we call a C or D mod.. C=before change D=after change. You may have seen these on the eper if anyone's ever looked at it.

 

[PNL]

There you go then straight from the mouth of a fiat parts manager ..Thanks for that Nick

 

[Stilo_ste]

In the commercial vehicle world (which is where our engines and equipment go) part numbers do NOT have to be changed by law. We only change part numbers if they are not the same, and do not have full backwards compatibility.

Do you have the particular piece of legislation to hand for reference? It seems illogical to force a part number change (which clearly costs money) if the parts are compatible fully.

 

[NumanR]

I have examples of part numbers not changing but parts changing, so unfortunately nick you are wrong.

 

[PNL]

I have examples of part numbers not changing but parts changing, so unfortunately nick you are wrong.

Hi NumanR can you tell us definatly then that the OE springs have indeed changed regarding quality and spec..welcome back as well hope you have a nice holiday

 

[SchooweeNick]

I have examples of part numbers not changing but parts changing, so unfortunately nick you are wrong.

Like? Would you point me in the direction so I can humbly apologise for my mistake..

I've been in the motor trade (parts) business for 15 years now and have seen literally thousands of part number changes. Fiat especially!

Merely putting my input into a discussion where nobody seems to have come up with an answer.

In the commercial vehicle world (which is where our engines and equipment go) part numbers do NOT have to be changed by law. We only change part numbers if they are not the same, and do not have full backwards compatibility.

Do you have the particular piece of legislation to hand for reference? It seems illogical to force a part number change (which clearly costs money) if the parts are compatible fully.

No I dont have the legislation to hand. This was explained to me many years ago when discussing the irritating part number changes with Fiat technical. Perhaps the commercial world is different to Fiat?!?

Looking into Eper a bit more they HAVE changed part numbers on the shocks. I have seen the new shocks and they are different. They have a completely different spring base (much wider) and dont need the mod. It is backwards compatible and replaces previous shocks which we have replaced when doing this mod as some cant be fitted.

Hope this helps.

 

[Stilo_ste]

Somtimes part numbers change for other reasons, one being implementation tracking and monitoring.

I'm expecting the info of the springs, and will post up what I get that is useful.