Replacing Front Shock Absorbers on Fiat Panda 169

Replacing the front shock absorbers on a Fiat Panda 169 is a task that, although preferably carried out by professional mechanics, can be done as a DIY project if you have the right tools and a good level of skill. First, ensure you have purchased the correct parts; it is possible that during disassembly, other small parts that wear easily will also need replacing, so gather bump stops, top mounts, dust covers, and a spring compressor kit. The first step is to lift the car and remove the front tyres.

Next, open the bonnet and loosen the two 19mm bolts located at the upper corners using a socket spanner, leaving one last thread engaged without removing it completely. Once this is done, go back down, and after disconnecting the ABS sensor, remove the two bolts holding the caliper bracket and the bolt securing the drop link to the shock absorber.

The shock absorber is now almost free; hold it steady with your hand and make the final turn to loosen the bolts located in the bonnet. Once removed, place them on the workbench, and the next task will be to remove the springs from the strut.

Using the compressor kit, compress the spring (there are kits with different mechanisms, so read the instructions carefully on the box of the kit you purchased), remove the bolt holding the top mount and slide the spring off the strut. Be careful, place the spring in a safe location; if the compressor is not securely attached, it could release and cause injury! Now take the new shock absorber, secure it in a vice, and proceed to install the new parts.

First, position the bump stop and dust cover along the strut, place the still-compressed spring between the two plates, and secure the top mount with the fixing bolt. The final task on the bench will be to loosen the screws of the compression kit, ensuring the spring maintains its position.

You can conclude the operation by refitting the shock absorber using the same procedure as removal. The steps outlined are the same for both the left and right front shock absorbers.