Technical getting stuck in gear when in traffic, heavy use.

[sherbsville]

I'm sure you and Bubbles have many happy miles ahead together

To future - proof Bubbles make sure the rear axle spring pans don't get too rusty, just a wipe with old engine oil every oil change will add years to its life.

And have a look at steveras57's 500 guide here:

500 - Fiat 500! things you should check once you get your car home

This thread is for the general discussion of the Guide Fiat 500! things you should check once you get your car home. Please add to the discussion here. steveras57 submitted a new guide: Fiat 500! things you should check once you get your car home These are the common problem areas on these...

www.fiatforum.com

For advice on safely working under your car, can't do better than Jock's guide here:

Raising and supporting light vehicles (ie. cars) - some thoughts and observations.

I recently posted some stuff on jacking and axle stand use in the thread "What's needed to run Multiecuscan" and several people "liked" it and Herts Hillhopper said he thought it should be moved to the guides section. I took another look at it...

www.fiatforum.com

They're both super friendly and helpful if you need anything

oooh thats brilliant, thankyou so much. I defo need info on how not to get crushed by a car. I'm scared of it tbh. It happened on an episode of casualty decades ago, and I'm still traumatised.

There was something about corrosion on the back something as an advisory on the mot... Ok, just checked it says "rear axle corroding" and "rear shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both upper bushes". The axle thing scares me, as I don't know what it means, like how worried should I be. It sounds scary. I will look under and see soon. Can I fix the corroding? Oiling it will help stop it getting worse, right?

When I took her in to get the bluetooth disconnected as it was draining the battery, (£215 quid gone like that. Nightmare) fiat did a health check, and gave me a nervous breakdown. I just read through it again, it was in July. It doesn't mention corrosion, but mentions front and rear near side shocks, and both front top mounts have play. They are insane with the prices, and frankly need to calm the beep down. I wouldn't go there anyway, but still.

On the checklist it says the master cylinder/servo are green, as in ok. So idk if that helps with diagnosis.

Anyway, I'm going to order the things I need so I can change the slave cylinder tomorrow, (unless it might be something else as the masters ok?) I've watched a couple of vids, If I have to take the battery out to grease the thing, I might as well change it. I hope it isn't all stuck together so I can't do it. The man in the video had everything go wrong.

Honestly, you are an angel. Thankyou so much for all your help.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I'd imagine if the garage know you they won't mess you around.

If you can do plumbing then yes you can absolutely do this

I don't even need to raise my Panda up to change oil and filter, just wriggle underneath.

Hopefully the 500 is the same for you, as long as you can loosen the sump plug and filter - they can be very tight.

12mm hex for the sump plug and I use a strap tool for the filter. Use oil to spec in the owners manual.

If you do need to raise the car for access, running a wheel up on a kerb is a good option if possible. Please stay safe and never get under a car with only a jack. And feel free to ask for advice if you need, plenty of friendly knowledgeable folk on here

And replacing a clutch slave isn't much harder, as long as you can get the battery tray out.

But try some oil (NOT WD40) under the slave boot first. I had a sticky slave in traffic a couple of years ago, put some grease on it and it's been fine since.

And if it does improve, then that will confirm it is the slave at fault.

I use Wd40 Silicon spray. Its not the peneetrating oil! and it does help. Halfords also do similar

 

[rmjbn1]

Personally I would disregard the FIAT dealership report, they're trying to get you to put your car back to new.

Only MOT advisories are worth taking action on I think.

Rear shock bushes no concern, nothing to do until they fail, you'll probably hear them knocking, they're a cheap easy job to replace.

Corrosion on the rear axle does need attention. Rust-treating it (or smearing oil) won't stop the rust but can slow it down to coax some more life out of it. As it's an MOT advisory you might need to budget for replacement in the next few years. Post pictures on here if you can.

Good luck with the slave cylinder. Do the same as the video, if the slave comes with new pipe, remove it and connect the new slave to the old pipe.

Give yourself plenty of time, don't want to rush it.

Then replace clutch fluid, so you need a small bottle of DOT4. There are some kits to help bleeding, but I've only ever used a length of pipe and a jar. Good tutorials on YouTube, let us know if you need a link or any advice.

 

[rmjbn1]

On the checklist it says the master cylinder/servo are green, as in ok. So idk if that helps with diagnosis.

Anyway, I'm going to order the things I need so I can change the slave cylinder tomorrow, (unless it might be something else as the masters ok?)

I think the checklist is referring to the brake master cylinder here, as the clutch doesn't have a servo.

Personally I would still start with the clutch slave cylinder as it's the cheapest easiest thing and causes most problems.

But without confirmation it could still be the master.

I don't think you need to remove anything to reach the slave cylinder rubber boot, although it is a bit tight between the battery and engine. Peel the rubber boot off the end of the cylinder, add some grease or oil to the shaft and replace the boot.

 

[sherbsville]

Personally I would disregard the FIAT dealership report, they're trying to get you to put your car back to new.

Only MOT advisories are worth taking action on I think.

Rear shock bushes no concern, nothing to do until they fail, you'll probably hear them knocking, they're a cheap easy job to replace.

Corrosion on the rear axle does need attention. Rust-treating it (or smearing oil) won't stop the rust but can slow it down to coax some more life out of it. As it's an MOT advisory you might need to budget for replacement in the next few years. Post pictures on here if you can.

Good luck with the slave cylinder. Do the same as the video, if the slave comes with new pipe, remove it and connect the new slave to the old pipe.

Give yourself plenty of time, don't want to rush it.

Then replace clutch fluid, so you need a small bottle of DOT4. There are some kits to help bleeding, but I've only ever used a length of pipe and a jar. Good tutorials on YouTube, let us know if you need a link or any advice.

Ok, thankyou so much. I thought that about fiat too tbh. The corrosion does scare me, when it's drier I will get a pic. I might have to wait until I can get that car raising kit thing. Should I post here, or start a new thread about corrosion?

Please give me a heart attack so I know roughly how much getting the axle sorted would cost when the time comes.

I will order the stuff for the cylinder now. Eeeeek!

Thankyou again.

 

[rmjbn1]

Please give me a heart attack so I know roughly how much getting the axle sorted would cost when the time comes.

A new axle is about £150 but quite a bit of labour. I know @John202020 replaced theirs but maybe did it themselves?

Best recent estimate I can find is this:

I’d expect to pay £500 maybe more for a new rear axle installed, I would not have it welded

There's no need to jack up the car to have a look at the rear axle, as long as you're prepared to get on hands and knees and stick your head under the bumper

It's the pans underneath the springs that will be the main concern.

You could also ask your local garage what they think of it, if they could coat it with anything like Waxoyl or Lanoguard, I've had this done on an old car.

 

[sherbsville]

A new axle is about £150 but quite a bit of labour. I know @John202020 replaced theirs but maybe did it themselves?

Best recent estimate I can find is this:



There's no need to jack up the car to have a look at the rear axle, as long as you're prepared to get on hands and knees and stick your head under the bumper

It's the pans underneath the springs that will be the main concern.

You could also ask your local garage what they think of it, if they could coat it with anything like Waxoyl or Lanoguard, I've had this done on an old car.

oooh ok, brilliant, thankyou. When it's dry I will get some pics. Hope it's not a mare under there. Poetry corner.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I think the checklist is referring to the brake master cylinder here, as the clutch doesn't have a servo.

Personally I would still start with the clutch slave cylinder as it's the cheapest easiest thing and causes most problems.

But without confirmation it could still be the master.

I don't think you need to remove anything to reach the slave cylinder rubber boot, although it is a bit tight between the battery and engine. Peel the rubber boot off the end of the cylinder, add some grease or oil to the shaft and replace the boot.

Silicon spray lube works for me. Some original slave cylinders were plastic and these need occasional lubrication.

 

[sherbsville]

Silicon spray lube works for me. Some original slave cylinders were plastic and these need occasional lubrication.

oooooh ok, ty!

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi is Bubbles behaving any better in traffic with a new slave cylinder?

 

[sherbsville]

Hi is Bubbles behaving any better in traffic with a new slave cylinder?

I still haven't done any, as I'm too scared! I really need to try, but just can't face the drama if she gets stuck in traffic again! I have been meaning to call the fiat dealer about the fact they left the mileage flashing, and try and make em fix it, but there's sooooo many BIG roundabouts on the way, I'm just avoiding it!

 

[rmjbn1]

Well I'm frankly astonished you didn't rush out and join the first traffic jam you could find just for fun, giggling with excitement
No pressure, just let us know the outcome as and when. Could help someone else

And don't be too disheartened if it hasn't cured it. There's no guarantee it was the slave at fault.

But it won't be any worse than before, probably better, hopefully cheaper than another fruitless trip to the garage and a step in the right direction, so well worth doing anyway.

Plus all the fun you've had doing it and the friends you've made along the way

 

[sherbsville]

Well I'm frankly astonished you didn't rush out and join the first traffic jam you could find just for fun, giggling with excitement
No pressure, just let us know the outcome as and when. Could help someone else

And don't be too disheartened if it hasn't cured it. There's no guarantee it was the slave at fault.

But it won't be any worse than before, probably better, hopefully cheaper than another fruitless trip to the garage and a step in the right direction, so well worth doing anyway.

Plus all the fun you've had doing it and the friends you've made along the

Well I'm frankly astonished you didn't rush out and join the first traffic jam you could find just for fun, giggling with excitement
No pressure, just let us know the outcome as and when. Could help someone else

And don't be too disheartened if it hasn't cured it. There's no guarantee it was the slave at fault.

But it won't be any worse than before, probably better, hopefully cheaper than another fruitless trip to the garage and a step in the right direction, so well worth doing anyway.

Plus all the fun you've had doing it and the friends you've made along the way

Lol, thankyou. I will at sooooome point! I just can't cope with another woman screaming and swearing at me again, like when it happened on grapes hill roundabout. The horror, the horrrooooorrrr!

 

[A3jeroen]

Just shout back.

gr J