Technical RECALL: Service Solution for Suspension Springs

[PNL]

Re: Spring Recall !!!- no parts

Welcome to the forum mate nice to see that fiat are reading what we have to say personally I thought they might have been to arrogant and cock sure to even think we have anything to contribute I suggested that they read this thread "service solution etc"in my last email to them after the run around they gave me and the dealer with regards to the front springs replacement that we ended paying for ..yes the dealer as well didn't get his payment [I payed for the front springs as well] with regards to a solution if a spring should brake in the mean time all you can do is log a claim with fiat and they will give you a case No you go to the dealer and he should contact them then after he has inspected the car and they will decide what course of action then to take many have been lucky but for some reason that mystifies me I was not and in my last email they have once again referred me back to my dealer in other words THE BRUSH OFF I have two new front springs top mounts and bearings also two new drop links fitted all paid for by myself one spring sorted by myself [as the car couldn't be moved] and the other fitted by the dealer I haven't been refunded any of the cost of parts and fiat never paid the dealer for the labour cost for the side they did treated shabbily doesn't describe they way this has been handled IMO and if the new spring also brake then I will be fitting after market spring and front struts to my stilo this is the only guaranteed way you will not get any further problem with this issue

 

[DazW]

Got my recall letter through last weekend.

Took car to main dealer who had a mechanic look at the front suspension. Apparently the shock absorbers are too large for the 'containing' plate to be fitted. They will therefore be fitting new shocks (once ordered) but not changing the springs.

I have a completely standard Stilo Abarth on a 55 plate - no after market mods. Has anyone else here been told the same by their main dealer??

 

[Rich]

DazW, I'm sure someone'll be around to answer your question, but from me . . .

THANK YOU FOR USING THIS THREAD AND NOT STARTING A NEW ONE (you've made me happy again!).

Oh and welcome, I'm not usually this mad I promise.

 

[PNL]

DazW, I'm sure someone'll be around to answer your question, but from me . . .

THANK YOU FOR USING THIS THREAD AND NOT STARTING A NEW ONE (you've made me happy again!).

Oh and welcome, I'm not usually this mad I promise.

All together People


Oh yes you are :devil:

 

[Linamp]

Welcome to the forum mate nice to see that fiat are reading what we have to say personally I thought they might have been to arrogant and cock sure to even think we have anything to contribute I suggested that they read this thread "service solution etc"in my last email to them after the run around they gave me and the dealer with regards to the front springs replacement that we ended paying for ..yes the dealer as well didn't get his payment [I payed for the front springs as well] with regards to a solution if a spring should brake in the mean time all you can do is log a claim with fiat and they will give you a case No you go to the dealer and he should contact them then after he has inspected the car and they will decide what course of action then to take many have been lucky but for some reason that mystifies me I was not and in my last email they have once again referred me back to my dealer in other words THE BRUSH OFF I have two new front springs top mounts and bearings also two new drop links fitted all paid for by myself one spring sorted by myself [as the car couldn't be moved] and the other fitted by the dealer I haven't been refunded any of the cost of parts and fiat never paid the dealer for the labour cost for the side they did treated shabbily doesn't describe they way this has been handled IMO and if the new spring also brake then I will be fitting after market spring and front struts to my stilo this is the only guaranteed way you will not get any further problem with this issue

_________________________________________________________________________

Ciao and many thanks for the nice welcome to the forum.

Glad to be able to join in on this forum. Just sorry I posted a repeat about the spring recall that everyone else has spoken about.

Yes! was rather surprised that their ears pricked up when the 'Fiat Forum' was mention.
I was soon put onto someone senior, but like a million others, got the bump steer. Name,number,rank - we will give you a case number etc. They then said they would contact the UK office, which is 266 Bath Road, Slough. Not a million miles from me,
and not best pleased when I said I intended to visit the office with my questions. Hi.
So shall just have to wait now for my garage's response, whenever that will be.

I'm running here an 02 Black 1.6v - 35,000m head turner. Not had any problems so far, except the 'Airbag Light' mystery, which was soon sorted. But looking at this forum then it seems to be a common problem. Thankfully, one of the forum guides explained everything beautifully, so my thanks to them for that. I also fitted a new set of tyres at 30k, apart from that, she's running like a dream. Have probably put the kiss of death on the thing now, but at least I have this forum for some excellent advice. Hi.

Sorry to hear of your misfortunes with the Stilo, hope you get some decent answers from
whoever. Looks as if Fiat have been caught with a major problem and are trying to ease out of it. Seeing all these problems on this forum makes me think I've been very lucky with the car, so hope it stays that way.

Did check with several garages this morning on the availability on the spring parts, and so far no one in this area has any. Don't fancy have all the hassle you seem to have gone through with springs and struts, so am keeping my fingers crossed.
Think it would be a wise precaution to stop the wife driving it for a while, at least until the spring clamp is fitted. Don't think that is going to go down to well. Hi.

Ok will let you go, thanks again for the welcome and safe driving and good luck with the car. Shall keep my eye on this forum for future news and will post when my recall has been fitted.

Regards - Linamp

__________________________________________________________________________

 

[John57]

Should we all write to WATCHDOG on the TV. They often get results!
John

 

[PNL]

_________________________________________________________________________

Ciao and many thanks for the nice welcome to the forum.

Glad to be able to join in on this forum. Just sorry I posted a repeat about the spring recall that everyone else has spoken about.

Yes! was rather surprised that their ears pricked up when the 'Fiat Forum' was mention.
I was soon put onto someone senior, but like a million others, got the bump steer. Name,number,rank - we will give you a case number etc. They then said they would contact the UK office, which is 266 Bath Road, Slough. Not a million miles from me,
and not best pleased when I said I intended to visit the office with my questions. Hi.
So shall just have to wait now for my garage's response, whenever that will be.

I'm running here an 02 Black 1.6v - 35,000m head turner. Not had any problems so far, except the 'Airbag Light' mystery, which was soon sorted. But looking at this forum then it seems to be a common problem. Thankfully, one of the forum guides explained everything beautifully, so my thanks to them for that. I also fitted a new set of tyres at 30k, apart from that, she's running like a dream. Have probably put the kiss of death on the thing now, but at least I have this forum for some excellent advice. Hi.

Sorry to hear of your misfortunes with the Stilo, hope you get some decent answers from
whoever. Looks as if Fiat have been caught with a major problem and are trying to ease out of it. Seeing all these problems on this forum makes me think I've been very lucky with the car, so hope it stays that way.

Did check with several garages this morning on the availability on the spring parts, and so far no one in this area has any. Don't fancy have all the hassle you seem to have gone through with springs and struts, so am keeping my fingers crossed.
Think it would be a wise precaution to stop the wife driving it for a while, at least until the spring clamp is fitted. Don't think that is going to go down to well. Hi.

Ok will let you go, thanks again for the welcome and safe driving and good luck with the car. Shall keep my eye on this forum for future news and will post when my recall has been fitted.

Regards - Linamp

__________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for the reply Linamp nice to have you aboard the stilo massive :slayer: I personally am not holding my breath with a favourable solution and I have consoled myself with the reasoning that when these issues arise we must not go back to using the standard parts that have caused us the problems in the first place and in fact move on to a better and final solution or possibly we might end up in a coffin along with any passengers that we have riding with us caused by a possible spring breakage at high speed ..many of the guys on the stilo site have fitted aftermarket springs to their cars with a resulting solution for the occurring breakages so far none of them have had an after market spring break on their cars ..now to me that sort of says a great deal for me if the new springs once again fail then this WILL be my solution I just hope that this does not happen in the next 18 months which will be the time of my Wife's retirement and I will then be selling my stilo because we will no longer need two cars . The stilo is a great car and I will go so far as to say that fiat are doing themselves an injustice by not resolving this problem the car then would be even greater you see the comments from all the guys how much they love the car well I feel exactly the same its the best car I have ever owned and despite the faults with the car [that can be corrected] ITS GREAT

 

[T14086]

Got my recall letter through last weekend.

Took car to main dealer who had a mechanic look at the front suspension. Apparently the shock absorbers are too large for the 'containing' plate to be fitted. They will therefore be fitting new shocks (once ordered) but not changing the springs.

I have a completely standard Stilo Abarth on a 55 plate - no after market mods. Has anyone else here been told the same by their main dealer??

Yes done this many times.

 

[DazW]

Yes done this many times.

Many thanks for the reply.

Is it likely that the new shocks will need the 'containing' plate or have they been redesigned?

 

[Bombay]

Re: Spring Recall !!!- no parts

Oops!!! Sorry guys - made a mistake with this post, looking at this section of the forum everyone has got the message about the 'spring recall'.

_____________________________________________________________________

Greetings fellow ' Stilo-ittes' from a new member.

Been following this forum (did not get to this section in my reading) for all your great info on our Italian Gems. Thanks for all your excellent tips and advice on the different problems on the Stilo, so please keep it up.

Just had my garage call saying there are no parts for the spring recall and cancelled the appointment. They advise that they have no idea when these parts will arrive. Rang around several garages in the area ( Berkshire) and got the same answer.

I asked the garage, " If the springs break and damage the car, who will bear the cost of the repairs it". They came back with the answer 'Fiat'. I was not to happy with that reply as I have nothing in writing, so rang the 0800 number given out by 'Fiat' which happens to be in Milan. They gave me the runaround, have to contack the UK etc etc. So had no joy with them.

My question is - 'Has anyone any info on this, and how do we stand if anything nasty happened'


One big plus was on the mention of this forum " Fiat Forum" - it certainly seemed to grab their attention. I did detect a certain respect for your words of wisdom.

Ok Stilo-ittes, hope this bit of info ( if not already been seen or heard of) will be of some use, perhaps someone could advise on the situation of damage repair while we wait for the spares to arrive.

Ciao! Ciao! Great forum -
Linamp
******** 02 Black 1.6v Head Turner **********

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I would say, if Fiat has registered this recall with VOSA, which they have, Reference R 2006/184. If you have booked your car in for this work and they don't have the parts to complete this and they have cancelled your appointment.
Legally, Fiat must be held responsible for any damage to the car or persons in the car in the event of a spring failure and tyre burst.
You could ask your dealer to supply you with a free courtesy car, until they receive the parts, as you are not prepared to risk using it. You never know your luck they may agree.

 

[Bombay]

Should we all write to WATCHDOG on the TV. They often get results!
John

What a great idea! That is, if we all did this and there was sufficient numbers with broken springs, which I am sure, there must be. Lets have a list on this posting of how many members are prepared to do this.

 

[T14086]

Many thanks for the reply.

Is it likely that the new shocks will need the 'containing' plate or have they been redesigned?

The ones I have done have had the 'containing' plate' fitted afterwards.

 

[KK1]

Hello peeps, my cars going into the dealers tomorrow for the spring recall so wish me luck.

When I spoke to the dealer I did mention the springs had been changed about the three years ago, and said does the recall still apply, he said that the recall is for the damper(?) which needs a retaining bracket for the spring.
I then said that the springs are eibach which are unlikely to brake so do I need the bracket?
He insisted that I book it in as he said the damper could have a problem, so I took his advice.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

 

[Linamp]

___________________________________________________________________

Thanks Bombay for the info and advice on the spring issue. I did ring them and
said, "Now you have cancelled the appointment" ( no parts), who would be responsible
in the event of a spring failure. The service manager, after some consultation, came back to me
and said Fiat would pay for any repairs. Of course I don't have anything in writing
at the moment, but suppose by the time I get that, then the parts should have
arrived. Just can't win.

As for getting a service car!! No chance, with my garage. They even tried to charge me
almost £6 for filling up the windscreen washer bottle which I had filled up prior to
the car being serviced.
Just spotted that one on the invoice before I paid £430 for a 24,000m service. Yuk!

Better go now before I jump on my garage soapbox. Hi Thanks again for your reply,
but sorry I did not come back sooner, pushed for time as usual.

Good Luck in your quest, catch up with you again.

Regards - Linamp

________________________________________________________________________

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[T14086]

As for getting a service car!!

Whats that

 

[Rich]

Whats that

Courtesy car perhaps?

My dealer is great, had the car in to have brake/clutch fluid done, handbrake done and check if I fitted the rear caliper all ok (which I did ), and it was booked for an hour. Sit and wait I thought . . .

I got a 56 plate Sedici for the afternoon . They didn't charge me the fee, and said I didn't have to put fuel in it either as it had plenty. They're great

 

[T14086]

Cant complain with that & sedici is good car

Thing is courtesy car is as it says 'courtesy' (as in 'if available') its a pity folk 'expect' to get one everytime they visit garage unaware of the costs involved,I had bloke other day 'demanding' a courtesy car for the GP cover recall....a 10 minute job! :tosser:

 

[Linamp]

Meant to say Courtesy Car - not service car. My mind went
blank, that's my excuse.

Still no news on parts from garage though - expect it will be
at least 2-3 weeks (we hope) before any are shipped here.

Will post news of their arrival in the Berkshire area.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

 

[Rich]

Cant complain with that & sedici is good car

Thing is courtesy car is as it says 'courtesy' (as in 'if available') its a pity folk 'expect' to get one everytime they visit garage unaware of the costs involved,I had bloke other day 'demanding' a courtesy car for the GP cover recall....a 10 minute job! :tosser:

Well it's like you always say; I'm nice to my garage and they're great to me. Hence, I get to have the company Sedici instead of the base model Panda that is their actual courtesy car, and it was only for a brake/clutch fluid change. I could have waited but they offered it to me to save me from hanging around.

 

[dave]

yeah all write to watch dog and watch the re-sell value of your cars fall to some thing silly when its broadcast