Technical Project Paolo

Franko500 · Jul 25, 2015

I made 2 new ones. The front one over laps the ones on the floor.
The rear one, I removed the small parts on the floor panels and then inserted a new one.
With regard to floor panels being different height to the tunnel floor section, I wouldn't worry. Mine are a lapped joint & all I will do is brush some seam sealer over the joints and then stone chip the underneath. Its different if you are trying to achieve a concourse finish and therefore disguise any repairs. But lets face it, if you are fitting a 650 engine then its not going to be original. No one will worry about the floor seams if the floor is new, no rust and appears to have been replaced properly.

Paolo66 · Aug 8, 2015

Bit more welding today. New floor beams in to join up the two new floors. Rotten front wheel arch repaired using the bits of new sills we cut off. It's actually 4 bits welded together to make 1 new repair panel and I think it looks fab. Not dressed yet so will look even better

Paolo66 · Aug 10, 2015

Just managed to squeeze in dismantling and cleaning the front leaf spring today. Just got to remove the bushes, spray it black and reassemble it. Couldn't fit it in my shot blasting cabinet so just used a 60 grit flap wheel on my grinder

Vitesse · Aug 10, 2015

I think I have been well and truly dethroned as the king of all things nice and shiny by Damian.

Just say no..................... to Patina!!!!!!!

Paolo66 · Aug 11, 2015

Sorry Tony it's my OCD. Be warned, you ain't seen nothing yet!

fiat500 · Aug 11, 2015

Vitesse said:
Just say no..................... to Patina!!!!!!!

"I am the Genie of the encrusted mirror. Did someone just try to rub off my patina?"

Say no to OCD

Nice work on the springs, I am fully in favour of a shine like that, which makes mechanical sense. Although I think that in the case of the 500, as the leaves are separated by the plastic interleaves, it's not strictly essential.
Personally I think it's right to have the original-style spring as it works quite hard doing more than just making the ride "comfortable".

looigi · Aug 11, 2015

The first rule of OCD Club is that there has to be a second rule, because then there is an even number of rules.

Paolo66 · Aug 12, 2015

looigi said:
The first rule of OCD Club is that there has to be a second rule, because then there is an even number of rules.

Oh yes. My car stereo volume always has to be on an even number as does the tv!

fiat500 · Aug 12, 2015

No-one who really suffered from OCD would ever buy a car whose back wheels sit so far off the vertical. \-/

looigi · Aug 12, 2015

Haha, OCD is kind of part of my job description..... I am an Aircraft Engineer!

Paolo66 · Aug 13, 2015

I'm an ex aircraft engineer

fiat500 · Aug 13, 2015

I'm an ex-mower-mechanic; maybe that explains something.

I'm not sure if the Fiat 500 is more like a mower than an aeroplane but I have a pretty good hunch it's the former.
....OK, I know Dante Giacosa had some early experience in aero-engines.

Paolo66 · Aug 24, 2015

Not had much time lately so just been plodding on with cleaning up suspension parts
Have used Simoniz tough black satin which is good stuff

Paolo66 · Sep 8, 2015

I've done the front leaf spring now, well almost I just have to put that funny clip on each end. When it's complete I'll post some pictures, it looks better than brand new! I used Molyslip AS40 grease between the plastic strips and the leafs, probably a bit of an over kill but it will aid friction and prevent rust.
Anyway I digress, the real reason I came on here was my next job is to tackle the rear wheel bearing housings. I've got them cleaned up and I've got my bearing kits but looking at the picture attached I'm an item missing. This item was also not in the housings originally when I stripped them down. The item number is 890292 and looking at the parts suppliers is a spacer of sorts. According to the attached it goes between the clip and the seal? Is this right?

fiat500 · Sep 8, 2015

I think that the spacer acts as the bearing surface for lip of the inner seal and is also integral to the torque transfer when tightening the bearing nut. Are you sure it wasn't there when you dismantled because I can't see how the setup would have worked without it.

Good luck with the tightening; I found it quite a challenge when doing it "by the book".:bang::bang::bang:

https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/359424-tightening-rear-hub-bearings.html

Paolo66 · Sep 8, 2015

fiat500 said:
I think that the spacer acts as the bearing surface for lip of the inner seal and is also integral to the torque transfer when tightening the bearing nut. Are you sure it wasn't there when you dismantled because I can't see how the setup would have worked without it.

It definately wasn't there Peter. I've still got the other side untouched and that hasn't got one either. I find it hard to believe that the kits you buy don't have the spacer in them.

stevehg · Sep 9, 2015

It definately wasn't there Peter. I've still got the other side untouched and that hasn't got one either. I find it hard to believe that the kits you buy don't have the spacer in them.

I assume it's because it can be used again.

Paolo66 · Sep 9, 2015

Heres the finished leaf spring in all its glory. Could have bought a new one but prefer the challenge of restoring the old

Paolo66 · Sep 9, 2015

I've solved the mystery of the missing wheel bearing housing spacer. When I first looked at the exploded parts diagram because the seal is labelled after the spacer I thought it went in the housing. Looked in my rear suspension parts box and found 2 spacers. Looking at everything together on the bench the spacer sits inside the inner diameter of the seal and sits against the bearing and coupling. It seems slightly longer than the seal so it must hold the coupling away from the seal face. Just got the complicated tightening procedure to look forward to now

Paolo66 · Sep 14, 2015

Old rear bearing housing cleaned up with new bearings fitted

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