OP
OP
I found the passenger side lower shock mount was too wide, needed 2 washers one side 3 the other, drivers side fine
Technical Rear Axle Replacement ?
- Thread starter John202020
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Technical Rear Axle Replacement ?
All successfully fitted and car back on the road! However, word of warning for those who are thinking of doing this using the Axle I purchased. The drivers side lower shock mount does not line up and when I put the bolt in it knackered it! I had to clear out the thread with a tap and drill the mount hole bigger so it would line up! All successful and looking good, drives really well.
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I should take that up with the supplier they might give you some money back! also be good if you could remind us whom you bought from so if anyone goes to buy from them in the future they can mention your problems before they but in case anything goes wrong! mention your issues to the supplier and suggest that they follow it up with the manufacturers!
OP
OP
Pretty sure it wasn't IM axle
Errrrrrr
OP
OP
My mistake it is IM. My lower passenger side shock mount was too wide,
OP
OP
When I contacted them re wrong spacing I got no reply but as the poster hasn't mentioned it maybe they've just adjusted it?Gives me some food for thought.
Hopefully some response from IM.
Bit vague for anyone thinking of buying one though isnt it!
I would not be confident it would fit without" modification" and i would not be happy
aftyer spending that sort of money!.
This sort of thing is often the case with pattern aftermarket parts; a little fettling may be needed to get them to fit properly, whereas OEM ones generally go on without issue.
But an OEM 500 axle would likely be well north of £1000, even if you could find one. And even OEM axles have something of a reputation for being somewhat variable with respect to the geometry.
For me, the real takeaway from this story is that if you have an original beam and it's still sound, it's worth taking the time to protect it to make sure it stays that way.
But an OEM 500 axle would likely be well north of £1000, even if you could find one. And even OEM axles have something of a reputation for being somewhat variable with respect to the geometry.
For me, the real takeaway from this story is that if you have an original beam and it's still sound, it's worth taking the time to protect it to make sure it stays that way.
I've not come across any significant dimensional problems with the (quite a few) IM-Axle Panda beams that I've fitted so far.
I do tend to build up a complete unit ahead of time, so it's just a meccano job once the car is up in the air, so any "adjustments" would be done on a bench, in comfort. But so far, other than cleaning excess paint from a few holes, they've fitted just fine.
Looks like their 500 jig needs a tweak, so definitely worth contacting them.
I do tend to build up a complete unit ahead of time, so it's just a meccano job once the car is up in the air, so any "adjustments" would be done on a bench, in comfort. But so far, other than cleaning excess paint from a few holes, they've fitted just fine.
Looks like their 500 jig needs a tweak, so definitely worth contacting them.
OP
OP
My shock gaps were fine, just the lining up was an issue. After doing this I found a YouTube video with same Axle and they had same issue. Just check and fettle before you fit. It is a good axle.
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In the same boat
Noticed a bit of a blow from the exhaust of my daughters 500
So I jacked it up to have a look and while under it I noticed that the hand brake cable mounts have dissolved
Both sides had rusted away
the rust / corrosion on both sides for the brake pipes would be a NCT ( MOT ) fail here
The shocks are also shot
There is corrosion on the axle and springs
It is a late 2015 fiat 500 UK import and the salt has taken its toll ( they don't salt roads here )
Luckily at present I am working for a large auto parts distributor so I organised a new axle yesterday at a very good price
also got some shocks and new flexi pipes
After getting the Axle I realized that the part of the axle the holds it to the body is a separate piece so will need to get them too :-(
So I am guessing there is not a chance that the brake pipe screws will undo and I would think I will need to cut the pipes off
Which brings me to my first question please
What brake pipe should I use as some of the reviews of some pipework suggests there are some steel or copper or a mix of both and also some are covered in a plastic coating
some photos attached and at the mo I am just gathering the parts as my daughter has some time off work in June
Next NCT ( MOT ) is in August so no panic just yet I just like to have things organised before I start
Noticed a bit of a blow from the exhaust of my daughters 500
So I jacked it up to have a look and while under it I noticed that the hand brake cable mounts have dissolved
Both sides had rusted away
the rust / corrosion on both sides for the brake pipes would be a NCT ( MOT ) fail here
The shocks are also shot
There is corrosion on the axle and springs
It is a late 2015 fiat 500 UK import and the salt has taken its toll ( they don't salt roads here )
Luckily at present I am working for a large auto parts distributor so I organised a new axle yesterday at a very good price
also got some shocks and new flexi pipes
After getting the Axle I realized that the part of the axle the holds it to the body is a separate piece so will need to get them too :-(
So I am guessing there is not a chance that the brake pipe screws will undo and I would think I will need to cut the pipes off
Which brings me to my first question please
What brake pipe should I use as some of the reviews of some pipework suggests there are some steel or copper or a mix of both and also some are covered in a plastic coating
some photos attached and at the mo I am just gathering the parts as my daughter has some time off work in June
Next NCT ( MOT ) is in August so no panic just yet I just like to have things organised before I start
OP
OP
You don't need anything else to fit the axle just pull the bolts at the front, copper pipe, can be bought ready made on ebay as a set
Oh I see what you mean new brackets, note these can be moved I think to adjust the track so take this in mind
Oh I see what you mean new brackets, note these can be moved I think to adjust the track so take this in mind
Yeah this piece outlined is attached to the bodywork and separate to the Axle
the part that holds that end of the flexi is in a bit of a state :-(
The other end of the flexi is held by a similar bracket but on the axle
I did not take a good enough look before and did not realize they were 2 separate pieces so I think I will need to get these also
Unfortunately ebay is not great anymore
As after brexit anything ordered from the uk now goes through the Global shipping program and usually takes a month and attracts customs charges and extortionate shipping rates so might end up going to Fiat dealer for pre made pipes
Or possibly get Kunifer kit and make my own
Just a little concerned that the OEM pipe work will be steel and may prove a little difficult to flare while lying on my back under the car on the Gravel
the part that holds that end of the flexi is in a bit of a state :-(
The other end of the flexi is held by a similar bracket but on the axle
I did not take a good enough look before and did not realize they were 2 separate pieces so I think I will need to get these also
Unfortunately ebay is not great anymore
As after brexit anything ordered from the uk now goes through the Global shipping program and usually takes a month and attracts customs charges and extortionate shipping rates so might end up going to Fiat dealer for pre made pipes
Or possibly get Kunifer kit and make my own
Just a little concerned that the OEM pipe work will be steel and may prove a little difficult to flare while lying on my back under the car on the Gravel
On a similar note if you remove your rear springs/shocks for maintenance do I need to get my tracking done again?
technically speaking no, there is no adjustment in the rear suspension so nothing to have gone out of track, that said if the whole rear beam is slightly misaligned with the front then you might need the front adjusting to match the back again.
It would just be to clean out the spring pans and check the shocks
