new suspension from AR

[kevsem65]

So im on vacation till next Monday and i just ordered Most of a new suspension from AR. SPRINGS, shocks, front sway bar ,front brake rebuild kit and rear pads. Dropped a chunk of $ and hopefully the installation goes smoothly. Any practical advice would be appreciated. Also what kind of handling results to expect from anyone whos done it! Thanks!

[lanciahf]

Front Spring removal is dangerous and a bitch. If you have not done front end work I would bring it to a mechanic.

Or if you are a gluten for punishment and since you are not reusing the stock front springs. I would cut the springs with a torch or cutoff wheel. Leave the shock in place, that way the spring will not come flying out trying to impale/cut your favorite appendages.

or.... bring it to a mechanic.

[4uall]

wish i purchased from AR myself when I went to do mine however, here is a good read

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... suspension

[wizard124]

First, I read this thread and wonder why someone bothers to take the effort to post a response that is not in the least helpful????????

Then, I read in the OP's bio that he is a general manager at a dealership! Obviously the thought of taking the car to a mechanic has occured to him LMAO

I re-built my front end and found the process pretty straight forward. Search and read the threads on this job and then determine if you are up to the task. Obtain the proper spring compressor so you can do the job safely. Take many digital photos so the re-assembly goes smoothly. Soak nuts and threads to ease removal and prevent breakage.

I replaced the bushings and ball joints. Cleaned and re-painted the A arms. New KYB shocks. Kept the original springs. New tie rod ends and center link. I found the handling and tightness in the steering to be much improved.

I can't comment on the AR components as I have no experience with them. Keep us informed on your progress and the results!

[4uall]

First, I read this thread and wonder why someone bothers to take the effort to post a response that is not in the least helpful????????

which part

[rjkoop]

So im on vacation till next Monday and i just ordered Most of a new suspension from AR. SPRINGS, shocks, front sway bar ,front brake rebuild kit and rear pads. Dropped a chunk of $ and hopefully the installation goes smoothly. Any practical advice would be appreciated. Also what kind of handling results to expect from anyone whos done it! Thanks!

I got my front-end components from AR (complete control arms, steering linkages, etc...) and everything fit perfectly. The spring worried me a bit but the internal spring compressor borrowed from Jay worked like a charm.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 14&t=29145
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 14&t=30232

[lanciahf]

I think he meant me?

Sorry was I supposed to read a bio? Another rule I have broken.

First, I read this thread and wonder why someone bothers to take the effort to post a response that is not in the least helpful????????

which part

[njoconnor]

Kevin:

Last month I finished the same project you are starting: complete suspension rebuild with A/R components. It's very doable,but expect it to take llnger than your current vacation... . I posted the majority of my effort in the suspension forum; 70spider,rjkoop, and, of course, Jay (4uall) all have posted excellent threads on their processes. Some thoughts/encouragement:

1) you will notice an incredible improvement in ride and handling over the older, tired suspension components. Passengers will comment on much better it feels. It's worth the effort.
2) Buy a coil spring compressor, and take your time learning to use it. It's a major PITA first try, but you get faster each succeeding time. Avoid wire ties, load rachets, etc.
3) Please read my "cautionary" tale. I was stupid and damned lucky. 'Nuff said.
4) Lots of PB blaster. Buy/rent a torque wrench which does inch pounds (for front wheel hub nuts and sway bar mounts). HF sells a nifty ball joint separator for under $20.
5) Replace every suspension bushing you have, and check the insides of the rear trailing arm bushing mounts for erosion. I ended up replacing my lowers because the rust erosion in the bushing socket was so bad.
Enjoy the process; this is supposed to be fun (sometimes frustrating).

Post pics of your progress, and ask lots of questions.I got incredible help from the Forum, and could not/would not have done it without everyone here.

Neil

[kevsem65]

Lol thx for the bio read! My chevy dealership is almost 2 hrs away (terrible commute ) and outside of being able to put the car on a lift bringing it in wouldn't be really helpfu.l most of my techs are younger guys that have never worked on a classic car and give me a blank stare when i say fiat, lol. Thx guys ! ! I'll try and post pics.

[mpollock]

They'd probably spend all day trying to find the ECU.

Really, then actually made cars that ran without ECU's?????

[DieselSpider]

They'd probably spend all day trying to find the ECU.

Really, then actually made cars that ran without ECU's?????

The early cars had engine control units its just that they were spread out and were not computerized. A throttle cable along with a few dash pots here, a thermal switch there and a few switches elsewhere to tell when your foot was off the throttle and you had engine control.

[kevsem65]

ANYWAY, ... parts should show up tomorrow. Gotta compartmentalize the job to do as much as possible between tomorrow and Monday.

[fiatfactory]

.

[bradartigue]

Front Spring removal is dangerous and a bitch. If you have not done front end work I would bring it to a mechanic.

Or if you are a gluten for punishment and since you are not reusing the stock front springs. I would cut the springs with a torch or cutoff wheel. Leave the shock in place, that way the spring will not come flying out trying to impale/cut your favorite appendages.

or.... bring it to a mechanic.

I would think cutting the springs would be far more dangerous than simply using the right tools and taking your time. I've yet to know or hear or anyone in the FIAT Spider world take this on and hurt themselves beyond a cut in their hand. Stabilize the car using good jack stands - I take all four wheels off and support it in the four spots on the body as well as put the wheels under the car unless something goes awry. You're not working under the car when doing the suspension, but your legs often go under it.

Removing the springs simply requires a good spring compressor that you can borrow from most auto parts stores, and it is not some kind of horrible thing to do.

[lanciahf]

Brad I was just offering a quick and dirty way of removing the front springs. If you want to do it the "right" way and are borrowing this tool from Autozone. Please note the tool as is will not work. The threads are too long and you will need a 6" or 8" piece of black pipe. You will also have to remove the "fingers" and reinstall them on the car between the coils in situ. Not a big deal just time consuming.

If you have the right tool from the factory, then its easy.


Autozone Tool


Great thread here.
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 14&t=20365



Ralph
Official Front Spring Remover for NJFIATS.org