Front end rebuild

[rmalicki]

Hey Fiat lovers,
I'm have put 750 miles on my spider 2000 in a week of owning her and love every minute. The front end is really worn bad with the bushings almost totally gone and has been wearing into the metal on the a-arms. I just went to IAP and ordered there complete a-arms top and bottom for both sides along with the new center link and tie rods for both sides. I will be ordering new IAP springs all the way around next month. The rear end suspension has already all been redone and looks great. I'm wondering if anyone has advise for what to start with first when taking the front suspension off and then back on? Also I'm not sure if i need a spring compressor and if so what is the compressor that i should use? Please any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for the help Ryan

[azygoustoyou]

Check around for your local auto parts. Most will rent you the spring compressor and when you take it back. You get your money back. You should use a spring compressor. There is a chance of getting hurt if you don't. If you don't have a manual yet. You should get one. They are very helpful and give you the step by step procedures on most of the mechanics.
It's nice to hear someone is enjoying their car. Have fun with it.

[SLOSpider]

I have not used a spring compressor when doing any of my work. I use a floor jack with the car on jack stands. Jack up from lower control arm and remove top ball joint nut and then lower jack and separate the spindle from the top ball joint. I would recommend doing the shocks and springs now while you are replacing your control arms. May also want to go ahead and do new bearings for the wheels while you are there

[rmalicki]

Thanks...I've done the front end the same with big block corvette but can't with small block that's why i was asking so you answerd that. Also the shocks are new just replaced and wheel bearings very soon (weeks) along with springs a bit later. Money, money so prioritizing. Thanks

[htchevyii]

I've gotten away without using a spring compressor also, I actually tried two, but in the end the floor jack worked just fine. It's been awhile, but I think I had to disconnect the upper control arm to get the necessary travel to get the spring out.

[backyardbill]

I just did my front end. I rented the spring compressors from Autozone, $32 each. They worked very good.

http://www.glocktech.net/fiat/pic/Img%2010-5.4.JPG

When you take the compressors back to Autozone, you get your money back.

I did buy a 3" steel pipe (1" diameter) from Elliott's Hardware ($1.25 cents) to act as a spacer. (see picture).

I agree with the others, it is too dangerous not to use a strong, fork type spring compressor. I learned this the hard way early in life :
http://www.glocktech.net/~billg/Cars/Fa ... inger.html

Good luck.

[spidernut]

I also recommend the internal spring compressor. It can be very dangerous without one. I followed the instructions in the repair manual and they worked very well. It really difficult and I'm glad I didn't pay anyone to do it for me.

[mdrburchette]

We've done it both ways but I prefer using a spring compressor. If you're going as far as wheel bearings, you may want to check your brakes/rotors. Don't forget to order the left and right hub nuts with your order.

[rmalicki]

Well i got a spring compressor from checker. Not the best but it worked...I managed to get the driver side off after a lot of metal softener, beating, heating, beating, heating and so along with hours of waiting...Then i started the the passenger side. I spent twice the time with zero results of getting the piece that connects the tie rod and the wheel hub together. It was so welder together i finally just cut the bottom ball joint to get it apart. Then i saw another pain, the bottom A-arm stud was bent. It broke the weld after getting the A-arms off...So I'm almost done besides the A-arm bolt that i can't tighten and I'm waiting on a welder that is supposed to be here in a week or two. This was very frustrating even compared to my 30 year old corvette which was cake compared. So the cars sitting on four jack stands for another two weeks unless someone has a trick of getting the bolt tight without cutting under the cross member and welding the bolt...
But it has been fun too. I do enjoy working in the garage and having excuses for buying new tools...
So while she sits I'll redo all the interior, convertible top, and then bondo and primer the body along with putting the Abarth black down the center with a clear coat, then rubberizing the undercarriage with wheel wells and trunk and under the carpet. Lots to do but all the supplies are here...YEAH!