So my little fiat 500R is now running lovely; i put a 126 30 carb on it (actually from a polish 126 with electric solenoid and it just seems to go very nicely now, anyway after leaving it for a few weeks it now making a noise which seems to be coming from the rear.

It only starts to happen at speed 20+ and its like a wheel is rubbing on and off, its the same whether in gear or not and its the same if breaking or accelerating. I would say its the wheel bearing do they usually go? could it be something else? breaks are fine.

Any help guidance and advice would be v v welcome i would like to use the car this summer but don't have load of time to fix it so am looking for a quick fix for now if indeed there is ever such a thing.

Many thanks indeed!!!

Does it stay continuous past 20 mph or go away? Continuous equals bearing, random equals flexible joint.

Okay thanks it stays after 20mph but it's like something is banging as it goes around so not a continuous grind but an on and off grind if that makes sense?

Appreciated

Trying to diagnose from a distance is always fraught, but from your description I would be tempted to agree with 'Luxe' and go for the cause being a drive-shaft coupling. How far away are you from Proietti? (they aren't far from Swiss Cottage (www.fiat500.cc).

Silly me---it didn't seem to be very far to Swiss Cottage when I visited Steph Proietti, but I was driving---it is 2-1/2 miles! Caledonian Road underground is just up the road from Proietti.

So we reckon it's the flex joint ? Okay will try that and see how it goes, thanks indeed much appreciated !!

Are you sure it is not the brake shoe? Try while driving and you are hearing the sound to press the brake and see if it will stop. My car has sounds coming and go from different places, like brakes, gearbox etc