Lowering Fiat 127 - transverse leaf FWD

[dunk11]

Hello All,

Doing a few bits and bobs on my Fiat 127 project - but a little stumped on how to lower the rear.

For those that don't know it has a transverse multi-leaf spring only mounted at either end. I'm looking to lower it (at least 2 inches) but cheaply!

Only ways I have found are decambering / flattening the leaf springs (either properly or with a hammer and smashy-smash adjustment) or the use of lowering blocks - is this even possible with a FWD car and just pack between the leaf and the wishbone?

I have read on one website that you can just pack-out the lower mount on the leaft spring clamp and I guess that will let it sit further down.

Thanks in advance - will be some updated picturesin the reader ride thread in a couple of weeks once a bit more work has been done.

Thanks,

Duncan

[ditchdigger]

I am pretty sure your rear spring is the same as the front spring on my Fiat 850. I reversed the eyes on my spring using the same way as this DIY

www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409458&highlight=reversing+spring+eyes

You can also weld extension tabs on to your hub carrier to lower it in the same way transverse front leaf fiats do

[G A R'goyle]

Something like this?


You can forge the spring to lower the car without harm to the rear camber that adjustment is done by adding washers between c-arm bracket and chassis

On my 128 estate had similar brackets + 127 struts in front
Was about ten centimeters lower than original + 185 50 14 tires
on 131 supermirafori rims

[mrj]

well, some years ago i was working for a Seat dealership, the Mk.I Ibiza had the same rear suspension and the lowering kit contained two springs for the front and a plastic plate (like the thing you play icehockey with, don't know the english name). That plate was put in the middle of the leaf spring between spring and body and that was it ....

[dunk11]

Thanks for the advice all!

Thanks G A R'goyle that is exactly what I was thinking about doibng - wasn't sure if it was an 'approved' way of lowering the rear - I read elsewhere you can use nuts and washers to improve the gap - but will try to obtain some suitable metal blocks.

Duncan

[stealthstylz]

G A R'Goyle have you got any pics of your 128 that sounds awesome.

Matt

[VIP]

An article I have bookmarked from my Yugo modifying days.

Particularly the section "Hot Rodding the 128"

www.subrew.com/chris/grm_sample/fiat/index.html