Technical Seicento Sporting clutch cable

[reelrunner]

Hi. New to the forum and needing advice! I changed a clutch cable when I had a Cinquecento Sporting, but now need to change a clutch cable on my Seicento Sporting. Looks like I can't access it inside the car unless I remove some of the dash? Can anyone advise, please? Not sure what tool I need to remove the two tapered screws/bolts that I can see. Does this shelf come away once the two fixings are removed?

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

Check the downloads section of the forum, as far as I remember I've uploaded the official Seicento workshop manual scans some time ago.

EDIT: it was not the whole manual but go through the Seicento section, you should find something interesting.

The screws look like hex (I think you call it allen key in the UK).

 

[FiatMatt94]

Removing the 2 screws from the dash is hopeless as I tried it it won't come out without a fight or a breakage so I changed mine with the shelf in situ, it's doable but very fiddly with minimal access, you'll have to undo the adjuster nut from the gearbox end to release that end of the cable, then up by the bulkhead behind the gearbox you'll see where the cable goes through to the inside of the car where there are 2 10mm nuts, be careful there as the studs can snap if you're too heavy handed, then on the inside of the car pull the carpet back as you have in the picture, undo the 4 10mm nuts holding the power steering ECU in place, remove the bracket then move the ECU out of the way for better access, then there will be a black metal cover with 3 screws, remove this then with a torch & on your back in a very awkward position thanks to Fiat you'll be able to see the end of the cable where it hooks through the quadrant unless the hook has snapped in which case it'll already be free but you'll still have to remove the end of the hook still in the quadrant by removing the split pin, access on the Seicento is a lot tighter than the Cinquecento due to the dash & power steering wiring etc. I changed my cable when I replaced the clutch with the modified cable from Ricambio, the modified cable has a nut & bolt instead of the hook but I found a slight design flaw with the modified cable fixings, although the cable itself is a much better design as it has a round hole instead of the hook the nut & bolt setup looked like it was putting strain on the quadrant & access is even worse than with the hook so I did a little thinking over a cup of tea & what I did eventually I got a set of clevis pins with R clips from Amazon prime, pushed a clevis pin into the hole through the cable & quadrant from the back where the hook would usually go with a smear of grease around the pin then put an R clip through the small hole on the pin the other side, nearly a 1,000 miles in & it's still holding up, this also makes things a lot easier if I do have to change the cable again as all I'll have to do is pull the R clip out as I put it in a position where I can just pull it out with ease & push the pin through the quadrant with your hand the other side to catch it

Also when reinstalling everything the black metal cover I mentioned doesn't need to go back in, I've left mine out to make it easier for next time so the jobs slightly less of a nuisance to do. Also it's good practice to regularly grease the entire mechanism to keep it lubricated which will stop the pedal from feeling heavy, I've done this ever since I've owned my Seicento & I've had no snapped cables...yet

 

[reelrunner]

Removing the 2 screws from the dash is hopeless as I tried it it won't come out without a fight or a breakage so I changed mine with the shelf in situ, it's doable but very fiddly with minimal access, you'll have to undo the adjuster nut from the gearbox end to release that end of the cable, then up by the bulkhead behind the gearbox you'll see where the cable goes through to the inside of the car where there are 2 10mm nuts, be careful there as the studs can snap if you're too heavy handed, then on the inside of the car pull the carpet back as you have in the picture, undo the 4 10mm nuts holding the power steering ECU in place, remove the bracket then move the ECU out of the way for better access, then there will be a black metal cover with 3 screws, remove this then with a torch & on your back in a very awkward position thanks to Fiat you'll be able to see the end of the cable where it hooks through the quadrant unless the hook has snapped in which case it'll already be free but you'll still have to remove the end of the hook still in the quadrant by removing the split pin, access on the Seicento is a lot tighter than the Cinquecento due to the dash & power steering wiring etc. I changed my cable when I replaced the clutch with the modified cable from Ricambio, the modified cable has a nut & bolt instead of the hook but I found a slight design flaw with the modified cable fixings, although the cable itself is a much better design as it has a round hole instead of the hook the nut & bolt setup looked like it was putting strain on the quadrant & access is even worse than with the hook so I did a little thinking over a cup of tea & what I did eventually I got a set of clevis pins with R clips from Amazon prime, pushed a clevis pin into the hole through the cable & quadrant from the back where the hook would usually go with a smear of grease around the pin then put an R clip through the small hole on the pin the other side, nearly a 1,000 miles in & it's still holding up, this also makes things a lot easier if I do have to change the cable again as all I'll have to do is pull the R clip out as I put it in a position where I can just pull it out with ease & push the pin through the quadrant with your hand the other side to catch it

View attachment 464049

Also when reinstalling everything the black metal cover I mentioned doesn't need to go back in, I've left mine out to make it easier for next time so the jobs slightly less of a nuisance to do. Also it's good practice to regularly grease the entire mechanism to keep it lubricated which will stop the pedal from feeling heavy, I've done this ever since I've owned my Seicento & I've had no snapped cables...yet

This is really great, thanks very much. I had visions of butchering the dash, but there's obviously hope! I've got myself a standard cable and an r clip and will have another look tomorrow. I remember the Cinq was a bit awkward but doable and I'll see how it goes. Much appreciated and I'll let you know how I get on

 

[reelrunner]

Hello,

Check the downloads section of the forum, as far as I remember I've uploaded the official Seicento workshop manual scans some time ago.

EDIT: it was not the whole manual but go through the Seicento section, you should find something interesting.

The screws look like hex (I think you call it allen key in the UK).

Thanks very much for this. I've had a quick look at some downloads here and I'll definitely have a look for reference. Hopefully I'll get the clutch cable sorted soon and get back on the road. It's really helpful to have this info, cheers

 

[reelrunner]

Removing the 2 screws from the dash is hopeless as I tried it it won't come out without a fight or a breakage so I changed mine with the shelf in situ, it's doable but very fiddly with minimal access, you'll have to undo the adjuster nut from the gearbox end to release that end of the cable, then up by the bulkhead behind the gearbox you'll see where the cable goes through to the inside of the car where there are 2 10mm nuts, be careful there as the studs can snap if you're too heavy handed, then on the inside of the car pull the carpet back as you have in the picture, undo the 4 10mm nuts holding the power steering ECU in place, remove the bracket then move the ECU out of the way for better access, then there will be a black metal cover with 3 screws, remove this then with a torch & on your back in a very awkward position thanks to Fiat you'll be able to see the end of the cable where it hooks through the quadrant unless the hook has snapped in which case it'll already be free but you'll still have to remove the end of the hook still in the quadrant by removing the split pin, access on the Seicento is a lot tighter than the Cinquecento due to the dash & power steering wiring etc. I changed my cable when I replaced the clutch with the modified cable from Ricambio, the modified cable has a nut & bolt instead of the hook but I found a slight design flaw with the modified cable fixings, although the cable itself is a much better design as it has a round hole instead of the hook the nut & bolt setup looked like it was putting strain on the quadrant & access is even worse than with the hook so I did a little thinking over a cup of tea & what I did eventually I got a set of clevis pins with R clips from Amazon prime, pushed a clevis pin into the hole through the cable & quadrant from the back where the hook would usually go with a smear of grease around the pin then put an R clip through the small hole on the pin the other side, nearly a 1,000 miles in & it's still holding up, this also makes things a lot easier if I do have to change the cable again as all I'll have to do is pull the R clip out as I put it in a position where I can just pull it out with ease & push the pin through the quadrant with your hand the other side to catch it

View attachment 464049

Also when reinstalling everything the black metal cover I mentioned doesn't need to go back in, I've left mine out to make it easier for next time so the jobs slightly less of a nuisance to do. Also it's good practice to regularly grease the entire mechanism to keep it lubricated which will stop the pedal from feeling heavy, I've done this ever since I've owned my Seicento & I've had no snapped cables...yet

Removing the 2 screws from the dash is hopeless as I tried it it won't come out without a fight or a breakage so I changed mine with the shelf in situ, it's doable but very fiddly with minimal access, you'll have to undo the adjuster nut from the gearbox end to release that end of the cable, then up by the bulkhead behind the gearbox you'll see where the cable goes through to the inside of the car where there are 2 10mm nuts, be careful there as the studs can snap if you're too heavy handed, then on the inside of the car pull the carpet back as you have in the picture, undo the 4 10mm nuts holding the power steering ECU in place, remove the bracket then move the ECU out of the way for better access, then there will be a black metal cover with 3 screws, remove this then with a torch & on your back in a very awkward position thanks to Fiat you'll be able to see the end of the cable where it hooks through the quadrant unless the hook has snapped in which case it'll already be free but you'll still have to remove the end of the hook still in the quadrant by removing the split pin, access on the Seicento is a lot tighter than the Cinquecento due to the dash & power steering wiring etc. I changed my cable when I replaced the clutch with the modified cable from Ricambio, the modified cable has a nut & bolt instead of the hook but I found a slight design flaw with the modified cable fixings, although the cable itself is a much better design as it has a round hole instead of the hook the nut & bolt setup looked like it was putting strain on the quadrant & access is even worse than with the hook so I did a little thinking over a cup of tea & what I did eventually I got a set of clevis pins with R clips from Amazon prime, pushed a clevis pin into the hole through the cable & quadrant from the back where the hook would usually go with a smear of grease around the pin then put an R clip through the small hole on the pin the other side, nearly a 1,000 miles in & it's still holding up, this also makes things a lot easier if I do have to change the cable again as all I'll have to do is pull the R clip out as I put it in a position where I can just pull it out with ease & push the pin through the quadrant with your hand the other side to catch it

View attachment 464049

Also when reinstalling everything the black metal cover I mentioned doesn't need to go back in, I've left mine out to make it easier for next time so the jobs slightly less of a nuisance to do. Also it's good practice to regularly grease the entire mechanism to keep it lubricated which will stop the pedal from feeling heavy, I've done this ever since I've owned my Seicento & I've had no snapped cables...yet

Managed to get the cable out today but the replacement's too short by the looks of it. Had ordered a 712mm but this is only 500+ml. I was concerned about getting the black metal casing off at its upper screw fixing, but it's cleverly only lightly screwed in to allow removal. The split pin took ages to get out til I decided to cut the head off, then easy enough. The two 10 ml nuts in the engine bay came out ok too. So just need them to send the right cable now! The breakage point is obvious.

 

[FiatMatt94]

Managed to get the cable out today but the replacement's too short by the looks of it. Had ordered a 712mm but this is only 500+ml. I was concerned about getting the black metal casing off at its upper screw fixing, but it's cleverly only lightly screwed in to allow removal. The split pin took ages to get out til I decided to cut the head off, then easy enough. The two 10 ml nuts in the engine bay came out ok too. So just need them to send the right cable now! The breakage point is obvious.

It sounds like they've given you the cable for an 899 as they are shorter than the 1108, with my metal casing I undid 2 screws but the 3rd one which is the hardest to get to didn't have to be undone as it came away with the casing which was a result