FIAT MODEL SPECIFICS: by David V. Voss

This is a summary of the suspension systems used by FIAT for the models covered in The Fiat Page, namely the 124, 128, 131/Brava, X1/9, and Strada series cars.

124 Series

The 124 Sedan, Wagon, Coupe, and Spider all share the same suspension layout.

The front uses a hub carrier (spindle) supported by upper and lower A-arm type control arms with ball joints. The upper A-arm pivots at the body while the lower A-arm pivots at the cross-member. Each side uses a conventional shock absorber inside a coil spring located between the lower A-arm and the body by passing through the upper A-arm. An anti-roll bar connects to the lower A-arms to control body roll.

The rear suspension on early models use a solid axle housing located by two lower control arms and a Panhard rod with shock absorbers inside coil springs. The lower arms position the housing in relation to the body while the Panhard Rod locates it sideways. A small anti-roll bar mounted to the body attaches to the housing to control body roll. Driveline torque is absorbed by a long tube extension bolted to the housing on one end and supported by the body at the other to keep the housing from rotating.

Later models use a solid axle housing located by two upper control arms, two lower control arms, and a Panhard rod with shock absorbers inside coil springs. The lower arms position the housing in relation to the body while the upperarms absorb torque from the driveline, keeping the housing from rotating. Unlike the 131/Brava, the upper arms on the 124 series are parallel to each other. The Panhard rod is used to locate the housing sideways. Each side uses a coil spring with a conventional shock absorber positioned inside to maximize spring control.

128 and Strada

The front suspension of this model is very similar to the 131/Brava. Each side uses a MacPherson strut bolted to a hub carrier (axleshaft support) and a control arm that pivots at the body with a ball joint that connects to the hub carrier. Both sides share an anti-roll bar that also locates the control arms laterally. This system is both strong and reliable.

Each side of the rear suspension uses a strut (without coil spring) bolted to a hub carrier (spindle) and a control arm that pivots at the body and at the hub carrier. Both sides share a transverse leaf spring that is supported in the middle by the body and at the ends by the control arms.

The 128 Wagon uses the same layout as the sedan with the following exceptions: front anti-roll bar is larger diameter and rear leaf spring is a three-leaf instead of a two-leaf.

The front suspension of the 128 Coupe differs from the sedan in that there is no anti-roll bar. In place of it are two (one on each side) control rods that bolt into the body at the front of the car and to different control arms at the suspension.

131/Brava

The front suspension of this model is very similar to the 128 and Strada. Each side uses a MacPherson strut bolted to a hub carrier (spindle) and a control arm that pivots at the cross-member with a ball joint that connects to the hub carrier. Both sides share an anti-roll bar that also locates the control arms laterally. This system is very strong and very reliable due to the large size and small number of components.

The rear suspension of the 131/Brava uses a solid axle housing located by two lower control arms, two upper control arms, and a Panhard rod. The lower arms position the housing in relation to the body, while the upper arms react to the torque from the driveline keeping the housing from rotating. Unlike the 124 series, the upper arms on the 131/Brava are angled to better support the body since it is larger and can carry more weight. The Panhard rod is used to locate the housing sideways. Each side uses a coil spring with a conventional shock absorber positioned inside to maximize spring control.

The 131/Brava Wagon uses the same layout as the sedan with these exceptions: front struts have larger pistons, rear springs are heavier duty, rear shocks are located outside springs, and Panhard rod is straight instead of curved.

X1/9

The front suspension of the X1/9 is very similar to the 128 Coupe, each side using a MacPherson strut bolted to a hub carrier (spindle) and a control arm that pivots at the body, attaches to the hub carrier with a ball joint, and is positioned laterally by a control rod.

The rear suspension also uses a MacPherson strut bolted to a hub carrier (axleshaft support) and a large A-arm type control arm on each side. The A-arm connects to the hub carrier with a ball joint and has incorporated into it a provision for adjusting rear toe.


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