Technical Wishbone
- Thread starter SJ2016
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Technical Wishbone
It's a bumper off job to do try "clickmechanic" for a quote?
I'm not a mechanic but I did my passenger side in about 30-40 minutes including taking the bumper off. I also buy the arms for about £30. I can't see labour for both sides being more than 2 hours in total, should be much quicker up on ramps in a garage with an experienced mechanic.
It's certainly worth considering doing both sides. Firstly, it's good engineering practice to always replace suspension components in pairs. Secondly, the other side will likely not last that much longer. Thirdly, the overall cost will be less if you do both at once, rather than one now, and one later.
If you're on a very tight budget, or just about to trade the car in, then doing just one side is acceptable.
Whatever, don't go anywhere near a franchised dealer for this sort of work; their prices will likely be considerably greater. The job is perfectly starightforward for any competent independent mechanic.
If you do attempt this yourself, a second pair of hands is advised when removing and replacing the bumper.
If you're on a very tight budget, or just about to trade the car in, then doing just one side is acceptable.
Whatever, don't go anywhere near a franchised dealer for this sort of work; their prices will likely be considerably greater. The job is perfectly starightforward for any competent independent mechanic.
If you do attempt this yourself, a second pair of hands is advised when removing and replacing the bumper.
Could be an annual job then
Bodga
New member
Like most original parts on a FiatCould be an annual job then
Not necessarily. My near 12yr old 1.2 Panda is still running on all its original suspension parts and is now past the 100k miles point.Like most original parts on a Fiat
Remember this chassis was originally designed to run a 60HP engine with 155/80 x13 tyres and relatively light steel wheels. The issue, as I see it, is that Fiat have progressively increased both the power and wheel/tyre dynamic mass without upgrading the running gear; the OEM suspension parts in particular seem to be significantly less durable on higher powered versions, particularly those with the optional larger wheel/tyre combinations.
Not optional in many cases, they came from the factory like that.
Thank you for all the good advice, I'm not mechanical at all! So had no clue what they should be charging. Have been unlucky with garages in the past. So wanted to go in and at least have an idea of price so I don't get ripped off again.
Stuff from the factory can still be optional just look at the configuration page for ordering a new car often has a option to upgrade to a larger wheel size
Not factory' items are aftermarket
You cant go back 6 years to see the options now, but I'm sure the 500 S or Sport didn't have 13" steels as an option. most appear to have the same few alloys of the same size. The higher spec cars would have come with these wheels as standard.
You can get a pair of wishbone and two new drop links( you'll need these as you have to cut them off ) for £70 once you know this you can work out the Labour cost a garage is quoting, you can buy "better " quality items if you're keeping the car a long time ie mine cost about £200 inc drop links.
14inch is standard for the steels and goes up to 16" alloys for the normal cars and 17" I think for the arbath models
Not just Fiat that has the bad rep, our new juke (new model) needs 2 lower arms after 24k miles on the second service!!
Where are you seeing these 2 arms and 2 drop links for £70??
My local factors were that for jsut 1 arm and 1 drop link. And they tend not to offer cheaper stuff as they say the got fed up with returns.
EBay can post a link when I finish work
Halfords didn't like the wishbone on The Younger Mrs S' Rasputin when it had its MOT in November last year,.
I can't remember what they quoted if I wanted them to fix it... it was either £150 or £250 (helpful, I know..!
) to change a single wishbone arm. I presume that would include an aftermarket arm, not a Fiat one. Changing two arms should not cost twice as much... but the parts I bought (Meyle) were £43 each, including new bolts, to give you an idea.
Ralf S.
So if you need them https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-FIAT...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
Nothing wrong buying from EBay, you just need to buy wisely?
Nothing wrong buying from EBay, you just need to buy wisely?
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