Technical RECALL: Service Solution for Suspension Springs

[PNL]

just had a strange phone call to FIAT, they said the spring recall was released in July 2005 and that mine was done in bath. my car has never been to bath as far as I know as the previous owner lived near nottingham.......

I'm taking it in next saturday to have it looked at, but this is very strange

Maybe its a cut and shut with two cars from different areas :chin:

 

[ian grant]

Fiat have just released a recall to do with the front springs on all stilo's from start to chassis 00644197.

If you dont receive a letter and your chassis number is below the above then contact your local dealer.....

Just thought I'd let you know..

Quick question.....

Ive just picked up a brand new Stilo (last Thursday) and the chassis number is lower.

Does this sound right?

Also, would it still be subject to the recall or will the issue be fixed as its a new car?

The model is a 150 MJET Sporting.

Thanks,

Ian.

 

[PNL]

This will apply to all stilo's what ever the age

 

[minimad99]

Evening Guys And Gals,

While I Had The Wheels Off Today Thought I'd Take Some Piccys, They Are Attached If You're Interested.

 

[Argonought]

Got some nice clean springs on there Minimad99.

Anyone else think that 'deflector' is on back-to-front. Looks to me like the spring could still strike the tyre

 

[minimad99]

YES I AGREE,

I FITTED MY REAR EIBACHS TODAY, JUST TO GOT TO GET THE FRONT ONES DONE NOW.

I AGREE THOUGHT IT LOOKED BACKWARDS BUT IS THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS PHOTO POSTED

 

[french bean]

Perhaps it's that way round to protect the brake pipes?

 

[PNL]

Or maybe its the case that the fitting instuctions only come in brail because it would appear its a case of the blind leading the blind

 

[sgh1970]

Really not sure if i want mine done now ive changed the springs.

 

[Argonought]

Really not sure if i want mine done now ive changed the springs.

I'm inclined to agree as all it's really going to do is increase un-sprung weight (very slightly ) for you.

Mine are still original so will need to get it done for the safety issue.

 

[PNL]

Really not sure if i want mine done now ive changed the springs.

TBO if I were in your position with lower springs I wouldnt bother I think its the bad design of fiats springs that are the problem I have a brand new set of standard fiat front springs and I'm not going to have that crap on my car if they brake again then I wont be using OE springs again

 

[bircia11]

i had mine done today when they finished i asked service desk why it had to be done and they were not willing to disclose that :nono: so i goes out to the car and asked the tech he said i shouldnt tell you but it cos the springs can snap and fall out
i said i smell a rat:hm:

 

[HornetUK]

Got my letter, can I ring any dealer as would rather have it done elsewhere to where I bought car (Pinneys who sent letter). Also will they let me bring it in and wait, anyone managed to take it in willing to wait two hours say and the've agreed to that or will they want car all day?

Also do they actually remove anything or just bolt them round?

Cant actully book in yet as car is still with crash repairers, third week now, still in a very uncomfortable C3!

Cheers

 

[PNL]

i had mine done today when they finished i asked service desk why it had to be done and they were not willing to disclose that :nono: so i goes out to the car and asked the tech he said i shouldnt tell you but it cos the springs can snap and fall out
i said i smell a rat:hm:

As I have said all the way through this thread its a cover up [well they are trying to but I can see right through their con] its the springs that need to redesigned and until they do then they Will carry on snapping :bang: The only thing they are interested in is containing the spring should it snap can you imagine the law suit if someone should die from an accident when a spring snaps

 

[dan-the-man]

I really can't see the point in putting that protective thing round the cup because yes it will stop it from ripping the tyre but if a spring snaps at 70mph it will still cause you to swerve, which could be fatal.

Couldn't FIAT replace the springs then claim the money back off whoever made them?

 

[T14086]

Got to put things into perspective here......if you never had a stilo would you be so concerned/bothered?

End of the day any part of car could fail resulting in an accident.I'm not saying for one moment stilos dont have a spring problem (i'd of thought there would be more broken springs in the FF poll on this?) but manufactuers have to be careful these days because of the 'sue everything/everybody culture'...all I know is that there is contamination at bottom of springs,this is what recall sheet/details say...does this recall affect warmer climate countries?

 

[bircia11]

so they just use the cheaper route to save them money. why they just cant do it properly instead of cutting corners
what makes it worse is when you have a idea what the outcome could be doing 70 mph down the motorway and one of these break's
not good

 

[PNL]

I hate to keep harping on about this BUT as I have said before on the stilo section the way to go is away from fiat OE spares and in the case of this spring issue either have the springs made for you or use Eibachs /Koni/ or other springs along with their struts yes it can be expensive but at the end of the day it saves a load of hassle AND improves the car with road holding and responsiveness now that's the way forward and NOT one step backward If anyone want a link for the hand made springs then ask and I will post it up

 

[Argonought]

I'm getting increasingly confused by this recall issue.

I originally assumed that chassis 00644197 would cover all Stilos up to say 2003 on the basis that after that chassis # Fiat changed the front spring supplier. This would tally with our own poll which doesn't show any issues with late 03 models onwards.

However from some reports coming in it would appear the recall affects ALL Stilos

It's also critical to know if Fiat OE replacement front springs suffer the same weakness as the front springs fitted to the original 02 models (surely not)

Anyone like to give a definitive answer?

 

[ScottyP]

My Schumi has been done while waiting for parts to fix my engine.

At the end of the day, companies employ accountants and lawyers to decide how they deal with known problems.

I think it was GM that was fined because they knew there was a safety issue with a car which under certain circumstances could blow up. They calculated the likelihood of the accident taking place and how much a law suit would cost against the cost of recalling thousands of cars. The latter was much more expensive so they left it, knowing that one day someone would die as a result. An employee blew the whistle and it cost GM a lot more and had to recall all the vehicles as well.

It always comes down to money. At least Fiat are addressing the situation.