Suspension Overhaul Questions

[profcucchi]

Hey guys,

How long would it take a competent FIAT mechanic to replace the shocks, springs, front and rear sway bars, tie-rods?

Anything I missed? I figure if it's going in, might as well overhaul the entire suspension.

Thanks

[So Cal Mark]

are you also going to include upper and lower bushings and ball joints?

[lglade]

I consider myself a competent home mechanic (e.g. I have to use jack stands), and I did my front suspension, using new fully-assembled control arms, in a weekend. I replaced my wheel bearings at the same time too. If you're planning to rebuild your old control arms, then you'll likely need more time. The rear suspension took another half a day by itself. But like Mark suggests, you'll want to add new bushings to your list of parts to overhaul.

I'm sure I could cut out some time if I were to do it again (or if I had access to a lift), but that's a decent estimate for your first effort.

[njoconnor]

Agree with Lloyd's estimates. I'd add a day to a weekend for all the bushings (front and rear) and ball joints (unless using new fully assembled control arms like Lloyd, and I, did). Significant time sinks for me were re-installing the front sway bar (about 3 hours with lots of language), and replacing all the bushings (no hydraulic press, so I used the sockets/vise/c-clamp method). The difference in ride and handling is well worth the time.

Neil

[profcucchi]

Thanks Guys.

All the bushings, too. I've had the car for 4 years and havent done any serious work like this.

I figure buying complete kits makes more sense than just getting parts and hoping for the best. I'm also pretty impatient that's why I'm looking for the "competent" mechanics hours.

Two full, at home, days should be at least a full day for a mechanic, day and a half tops.

[Dawgme85]

I recently had new front control arms, new progressive lowering springs, and shocks installed on my Spider by an experienced Fiat mechanic at a reputable shop. The charge was for 4.5 hours labor. We discussed whether to do bushings/ball joints or complete control arms, and decided the time saved from not pressing bushings/installing ball joints would more than cover the additional cost of the control arms. Bushings/ball joints would have been $106.50, control arms were $168.00, $61.50 more. Time saving was an hour or so, at $118/hr. The improvement, especially handling, was night/day.
Don't forget you'll need to have the front end aligned afterwards.
LeRoy

[profcucchi]

I recently had new front control arms, new progressive lowering springs, and shocks installed on my Spider by an experienced Fiat mechanic at a reputable shop. The charge was for 4.5 hours labor. We discussed whether to do bushings/ball joints or complete control arms, and decided the time saved from not pressing bushings/installing ball joints would more than cover the additional cost of the control arms. Bushings/ball joints would have been $106.50, control arms were $168.00, $61.50 more. Time saving was an hour or so, at $118/hr. The improvement, especially handling, was night/day.
Don't forget you'll need to have the front end aligned afterwards.
LeRoy

Thanks LeRoy, so slightly less than I estimated. it's an amount I can work towards.

[Dawgme85]

Here's the end result, with before and after pics:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 14&t=33799

LeRoy

[profcucchi]

Does anyone know what model Bilstein we would use?

No online auto parts can find anything close, well that is in North America. Germany has lot$...