Suspension parts preplacement

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
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barnesjtsl
Posts: 203
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:13 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider
Location: Hillsboro, OR

Suspension parts preplacement

Post by barnesjtsl »

79 Spider 2000

I have ordered new a-arms (upper and lower), Tie Rod Kit, and Center link.

My purpose for ordering these is that I'm a little nervous about the ball joints.

While I'm replacing all this anyway, is there anything else under there that anyone would suggest I replace being I have it all apart anyway.

jb
bobplyler
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 823
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 spider 2000
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Suspension parts preplacement

Post by bobplyler »

Maybe shocks and brakes.
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
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lglade
Patron 2018
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Posts: 327
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:05 am
Your car is a: 1984 Pininfarina
Location: Mukilteo, WA

Re: Suspension parts preplacement

Post by lglade »

My steering idler needed new bushings as it was allowing the passenger side front wheel to wobble about 1/4 inch on its vertical axis. If you're going to be down there working anyway, give your idler some careful attention to make sure that yours has no unwanted play in it. You might take the opportunity to drain and fill your steering gear while you're at it too.
Lloyd Glade- Mukilteo, WA
1984 Pininfarina Spider Azzurra
1962 Fiat 500D - wife's car
2015 Subaru Outback
2017 Ford Focus RS
njspider
Posts: 73
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2016 8:14 pm
Your car is a: 1982 spider

Re: Suspension parts preplacement

Post by njspider »

hey barnesjtsl, I'm thinking about the same project this spring. Please let me know how easy/hard it is to do and what to avoid, thanks
klweimer
Posts: 550
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:45 am
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Arvada, Colorado

Re: Suspension parts preplacement

Post by klweimer »

Sway bar bushings, rubber brake lines to calipers.
profcucchi
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:12 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 2000
Location: Toronto, On

Re: Suspension parts preplacement

Post by profcucchi »

I went to a Fiat mechanic and had him take a good look. Bushings were swollen, ball joints were iffy, control arms were ugly, shocks were leaking oil. Surprisingly, the rear suspension was upgraded by the PO.

Then I called a vendor and he talked me through what was needed - basically a new front suspension. Not cheap.

A mechanic shop would take about 8 hours. My understanding is it's the springs that add time.
1979 Fiat 2000 "Luigi"
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