Club126UK

Fiat 126 Chat => Tuning & Customising 126 Models => Topic started by: Fiat500f on March 09, 2013, 09:06:42 PM

Title: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: Fiat500f on March 09, 2013, 09:06:42 PM
I've seen somewhere a post on lowering the front leaf spring by taking it part and rearranging the springs, does anyone no how to do this.
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: Pete126 on March 10, 2013, 12:51:13 AM
 :welcome to the forum, If you remove a leaf from the front spring you will soften the suspension. 500mania do the reverse eye front spring for 63quid+postage it drops the front by 35mm, also you can shave 10mm off the alloy mounting bracket

http://www.500mania.it/ns/index.php/store_gbr/leaf-spring-5-leaves-revarsed-eye.html

Some members have had there springs re-tempered and flattened though this needs to be done by a professional spring re-manufacturer for safeties sake.
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: kev126 on March 10, 2013, 02:06:10 PM
Apparently if you flip over the second largest (to the eye'd) leaf it will drop it loads but I am yet to try
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: Pete126 on March 10, 2013, 04:12:07 PM
Apparently if you flip over the second largest (to the eye'd) leaf it will drop it loads but I am yet to try

I wouldn't recommend that method, the leaf above the main leaf is a safety leaf, it curves round the main spring eyes, if the eye or the main spring fracture or break the suspension is caught by the safety leaf to give you a fighting chance of stopping safely.

Even the modified reverse eye springs have a safety leaf, its there for a reason ;)
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: kev126 on March 10, 2013, 04:23:46 PM
It must be the one below the safety leaf then, I haven't had a look at mine and I'm completely new to leaf spring suspension. Need to get my servicing out of the way then I can slam it to bits!
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: Pete126 on March 10, 2013, 05:59:32 PM
Another thing to consider is that the front spring is also the bottom control arm and "anti-roll bar" i use that term loosely ;D so is subjected to  high lateral forces Forward/Aft/Side especially under steering and braking etc.
 If you remove any of the leafs From the spring, you compromise the rigidity across the spring which will compromising the handling and safety of the car.

To achieve the kind off drop your after i would suggest having the spring re-tempered and fattened this seems to be the method used in Poland and retains all the leaf intact ;)
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: kev126 on March 10, 2013, 06:51:17 PM
Another way is to apparently replace some of the leaves with stiffer ones from other cars, however I do not know which cars.
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: Fiat500f on March 10, 2013, 08:23:14 PM
I want it to be safe so might just get a lowered spring, thanks for the advice tho
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: popik81 on March 10, 2013, 10:15:31 PM
if You now how to use google translator this is 4  You :)

http://www.rezerwa126p.pl/warsztat/warsztat-mechaniczny/122-obnianie
Title: Re: Fiat lowering leaf spring
Post by: Topolino on March 11, 2013, 04:35:38 PM
Lowering spring are sold in Holland for around 95,- Euro's. Sometimes you see them on Marktplaats.nl sold as second hand part. I bought one three weeks ago together with KONI Classics for aroud 100,- Euro. Shockers look good, oilfree and not rusty