Technical RECALL: Service Solution for Suspension Springs

[wotnowarninglight]

From experience with Skoda Favorit's the bottom suspension cup on the front struts was a corrosion weak spot. Later struts were modified and had 2 holes drilled through the bottom cup to let residue/water drain out. Due to a bump I had 1 modified strut and 1 original, I had intended to modify the the original to match but never got round to it. Don't think it was a recall issue but my point is that car was 9-10 years old before the MOT man took exception to the corrosion on the original non modified strut.

Perhaps Fiat's reasoning is that, as the bottom of the front struts is where the springs are most vunerable due to them being thinner at this point and this is where gravity will deposit the corrosion inducing silt residue / water so that this is the way to go in terms of a solution. They possibly also figure that it may take years for corrosion to significantly weaken the spring to the point where they do break, so they have hedged their bets with the spring cups devices like I have fitted post recall, rather than endure the vast expense of replacing the front springs. Think that FIAT are playing the probability game...

As folk have deduced from posts so far and the chassis nos. this must affect the bulk of Stilos manufactured to date.

 

[PNL]

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?

Well my last pair lasted approx 30k miles so lets see how long the new pair last you will be the first I inform if they snap [keep your tow truck free Argo]

 

[NumanR]

The only vehicles not affected are those after that chassis number and schumis with the GP suspension option.

 

[T14086]

I doubt if the problem is money as they are still doing the punto mk1 brake pipe recall to this day which costs alot in labour....more than if new stilo springs were fitted.

 

[Argonought]

The only vehicles not affected are those after that chassis number and schumis with the GP suspension option.

So what Stilos were made after that number as I've seen postings of 06 models getting recalls?

.....or is that the chassis number of the last Stilo built right up to the date of the recall or something

 

[PNL]

and schumis with the GP suspension option.

That about says it all as far as I am concerned change your suspension and springs and you haven't got the problem

 

[ian grant]

Ive had mine done today, on a 7 day old brand new '56 plate Stilo Sporting which has a chassis number below the number indicated. I must confess, the repair looks very similar to the images posted earlier in his thread and although I'm not a mechanic it does have just a hint of 'bodge' about it.

It was in for the attempted repair of my deadlocks which are, er, dead! They cant fix this just yet however, theyre not sure what to do.......SUPER!

I must admit, 7 days into brand new Stilo ownership I cant say I'm exactly thrilled. I love the car, its perfomance, its looks ec, etc - it just feels as though here are now one or two rather large flies in the ointment - if you know what I mean?

Ian.

 

[PNL]

Ive had mine done today, on a 7 day old brand new '56 plate Stilo Sporting which has a chassis number below the number indicated. I must confess, the repair looks very similar to the images posted earlier in his thread and although I'm not a mechanic it does have just a hint of 'bodge' about it.

It was in for the attempted repair of my deadlocks which are, er, dead! They cant fix this just yet however, theyre not sure what to do.......SUPER!

I must admit, 7 days into brand new Stilo ownership I cant say I'm exactly thrilled. I love the car, its performance, its looks ec, etc - it just feels as though here are now one or two rather large flies in the ointment - if you know what I mean?

Ian.

So lets get it right you have a 7day old stilo and they dont know how to fix your dead locks BUT they are quite capable of performing a bodge :chin: yep that about sums up fiat all the same its a great car and if only fiat sorted out the problems instead of passing the buck it would be an even greater car

 

[Argonought]

It was in for the attempted repair of my deadlocks which are, er, dead! They cant fix this just yet however, theyre not sure what to do.......SUPER!
(

There seems to be mounting evidence that Fiat have dropped the dead-lock feature on all late 2006 models. I expect you've seen this: https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-technical/81380-active-dead-lock-2.html

I'm still very confused by the suspension 'bodge'. From what evidence I can see I'd say you don't even need it. Quite honestly, in your position, I think I'd take if off after say 12 months if it looks clear that late Stilos don't suffer from spring failure.

 

[ian grant]

Hi,

Thanks - I did see the thread you mention about the deadlocks, but I just cant figure out how the brochure and users manual state very clearly that the car has dealocks when all the physical evidence seems to point to the opposite.

I'll be honest, I am both suprised and dissapointed that a brand new Stilo should require this 'spring mod' - so maybe I should leave it 12 months then take them off as you suggest, assuming of course that no problems arise?

I must admit though, hat had it not been for this foum I wouldnt have even know anbout this recall, so I must thank you all for your support despite the outcome having made my new car feel slightly less special....

Ian.

 

[Rich]

So what Stilos were made after that number as I've seen postings of 06 models getting recalls?

.....or is that the chassis number of the last Stilo built right up to the date of the recall or something

I expect that chassis number would have been the Stilo built on the recall release date, so that this cap is probably being fitted at the factory (or a redesigned base cap). I expect there will be new Stilos for a few months yet that are affected.

I believe it takes two months from production date in Italy to registration date in the UK for normal models. Of course, some may end up sitting in a compound (ala my Stilo ) if they are not ordered.

 

[pacman32]

my stilo abarth just failed the mot on a snapped front coil spring and when i went to fiat they didnt mention any recall, they just sold me 1 which i got fitted elsewhere.

my questions are :

1: should they have?
2: should they refund me the cost off the front coil spring i purchased off them?
3:will they refund me the cost of having spring fitted at other garage? (i have all reciepts)
4: will they now replace the driver side coil spring(gratis)?

any help or advice would be great.........

 

[PNL]

my stilo abarth just failed the mot on a snapped front coil spring and when i went to fiat they didnt mention any recall, they just sold me 1 which i got fitted elsewhere.

my questions are :

1: should they have?
2: should they refund me the cost off the front coil spring i purchased off them?
3:will they refund me the cost of having spring fitted at other garage? (i have all reciepts)
4: will they now replace the driver side coil spring(gratis)?

any help or advice would be great.........

In my honest opinion the answers to your questions are


[1] Yes they should have
[2] Yes they should have [but didn't for me]
[3]Yes they should do[said they would but didnt]
[4] yes they should[dealer fitted mine at no cost to me and fiat didnt pay the dealer]

Not a very satisfactory situation is it and fiat wonder why the owners of their cars are well pi$$ed of with them

 

[T14086]

my stilo abarth just failed the mot on a snapped front coil spring and when i went to fiat they didnt mention any recall, they just sold me 1 which i got fitted elsewhere.

Whose Fiat? Fiat italy? Fiat uk? Fiat garage? bloke that used to work at Fiat?

1: should they have?
2: should they refund me the cost off the front coil spring i purchased off them?
3:will they refund me the cost of having spring fitted at other garage? (i have all reciepts)
4: will they now replace the driver side coil spring(gratis)?

No.No.No & No.

 

[pacman32]

r well i'll put it down 2 experience...

save sum more cash and bin the crappy fiat springs and get the apex lowering kit for about £95. THEN I MIGHT B ABLE TO GET ROUND A BEND OVER 30 MPH, without it lurchin. lmao.

chrs.

 

[dan-the-man]

Had my modification done today, not sure if i'll keep them on or not lol if there's anything wrong with my springs they should have snapped by now anyway, some of the torture I put my car through :devil:

 

[D-Stilo]

Hi Guys
Got a call from my delaer last friday about this "springs issue". She said that the recall does not involve replacing the springs. She did say that the spring cups will be replaced. I have already had my front driver side spring slip down because the cup bent. The spring broke and stuck into the tyre. I paid for the repairs myself. I mentioned this to the dealer who advised me to take it up with Fiat Customer Services.

Any advice?

Thanks

Darren

 

[PNL]

Hi Guys
Got a call from my delaer last friday about this "springs issue". She said that the recall does not involve replacing the springs. She did say that the spring cups will be replaced. I have already had my front driver side spring slip down because the cup bent. The spring broke and stuck into the tyre. I paid for the repairs myself. I mentioned this to the dealer who advised me to take it up with Fiat Customer Services.

Any advice?

Thanks

Darren

By all means try if you wish BUT dont hold your breath for to long how old is your car is there a warranty still running on it ?

 

[Argonought]

I have already had my front driver side spring slip down because the cup bent. The spring broke and stuck into the tyre.

Darren, That's a very interesting report you've made there. Are you quite sure you didn't suffer from conventional spring failure as most people seem to have reported?

Some members have received compensation from Fiat over this. A firm measured legalistic approach I think serves best. A letter to Fiat UK with a suggestion you might take it further would be a start.

 

[D-Stilo]

It's hard to say exactly what happened. The bottom 2 coils of the spring were broken off and the outside edge of the spring cup was bent right over. My car is Jan '02, it was well out of warranty when this happened. Plus the car was 2 years old when I bought it and we all know what's covered in the 3rd warranty year - FECK ALL!!:bang:

Cheers

Darren