Suspension Overhaul Questions

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
profcucchi
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Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 2000
Location: Toronto, On

Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby profcucchi » Fri Nov 04, 2016 11:12 pm

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
1979 Fiat 2000 "Luigi"

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So Cal Mark
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Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby So Cal Mark » Sat Nov 05, 2016 12:32 am

are you also going to include upper and lower bushings and ball joints?
Mark Allison
allisonsautomotive.com Fiat and Alfa Romeo parts and service. Performance parts our specialty!
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lglade
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Location: Mukilteo, WA

Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby lglade » Sat Nov 05, 2016 1:00 am

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.
Lloyd Glade- Mukilteo, WA
1984 Pininfarina Spider Azzurra
1962 Fiat 500D - wife's car
2015 Subaru Outback
2017 Ford Focus RS

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njoconnor
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Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider

Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby njoconnor » Sat Nov 05, 2016 7:58 am

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
Neil O'Connor
Madison, WI
72 FIAT 124 Spider
12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
14 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Eco-Diesel
ex-71 FIAT 124 Coupe
and a host of Audi's, Saabs, VW's, MOPAR's, Fords, and a Bimmer....

profcucchi
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:12 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 2000
Location: Toronto, On

Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby profcucchi » Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:02 pm

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.
1979 Fiat 2000 "Luigi"

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Dawgme85
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Your car is a: 1977 124 Spider - Shelob
Location: Sammamish, WA

Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby Dawgme85 » Sat Nov 05, 2016 6:11 pm

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
1977 Spider 1800 (SHELOB - driver)
1970 124 Sport Spider (99% complete barn find, now in my garage, awaiting restoration)

profcucchi
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:12 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 2000
Location: Toronto, On

Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby profcucchi » Sat Nov 05, 2016 6:20 pm

Dawgme85 wrote: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.
1979 Fiat 2000 "Luigi"

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Dawgme85
Posts: 148
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Your car is a: 1977 124 Spider - Shelob
Location: Sammamish, WA

Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby Dawgme85 » Sat Nov 05, 2016 6:32 pm

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

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

LeRoy
1977 Spider 1800 (SHELOB - driver)
1970 124 Sport Spider (99% complete barn find, now in my garage, awaiting restoration)

profcucchi
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:12 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 2000
Location: Toronto, On

Re: Suspension Overhaul Questions

Postby profcucchi » Tue Nov 08, 2016 4:56 pm

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$...
1979 Fiat 2000 "Luigi"


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