Hi. I suspect that I have diff problems, but am interested to hear from others. I can select gears OK but on releasing the clutch I just get grinding noises and do not go anywhere. I am a DIY person, but have not had much experience with gearbox and diff problems. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks

I can’t help you too much with the problem, but just had to say what a great login name Welcome to the forum.

Cellmate2121 said:

Hi. I suspect that I have diff problems, but am interested to hear from others. I can select gears OK but on releasing the clutch I just get grinding noises and do not go anywhere. I am a DIY person, but have not had much experience with gearbox and diff problems. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks

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When you do that get some one to look under the back of the car to see if a drive shaft is turning. It could just be a broken drive shaft coupling. If you are brave you could make sure the hand brake is on and check it yourself

Are You sure it's not a clutch problem?

Easy things first, have you checked the flexible joints? If those are ok i guess the drive shaft will be ok otherwise you would have this noise without gear selection since drive shaft is spinning all the time.

Sounds like stripped splins on the axle / Flexi joint coupling to me, I experienced this exact thing on our delivery run from Auckland to Wellington (NZ) about 200 kms into the 800km journey!!

I have had a chance to check it out. With both wheels off the ground and out of gear, the wheels spin independently. Placing it in gear the wheels spin in opposite directions as you would expect .....UNTIL....holding one of the wheels reveals the LHS flexi joint is kaput !!!I am guessing that it is more likely to be a flexi-joint failure that stripped axle splines and that these are relatively easy to replace....my manual does not give any info. If anyone can share their experiences with replacing them that would be great. Thanks

Ok you are lucky this is easy to do, undo the four 13 mm bolts, withdraw the driveshaft flange and then axle will drop.
Then there is a big nut 32mm iirc with a cotter pin or a stake nut on later models. Untight it and you have the flexi joints out. Ofcourse replace both sides.
Thomas

Great, thanks. I have done all of the resto work on my car, paint, panel, interior and engine rebuild.....but have not ever really worked on the b/box, diff or drive shafts. I am looking forward to getting into it.

Before you remove the big nut and flexi-coupling or order any parts, I'd suggest checking if it's only the splines having failed inside the metal driveshaft flange (the one mentioned above held in place with 4 x 13mm headed bolts).
Sometimes the flexi-coupling is still ok but no doubt you'll check everything.

AL.

Yes, I plan to strip it tomorrow and see what I need to order. Given that I also order parts from Van der Laan or Ricambi, it pays to get it right first time given the delays and freight $$.

Do you have the parts catalog? You know some times there are parts missing.

I have a 'pukka' Fiat factory parts catalogue for the Fiat 500---if you would like me to copy the relevant page out (for the rear axle) and put it into the post to you, you only have to ask.

the hobbler said:

I have a 'pukka' Fiat factory parts catalogue for the Fiat 500---if you would like me to copy the relevant page out (for the rear axle) and put it into the post to you, you only have to ask.

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Hi Tom,

Seeing that the OP is in Australia, it might be better to send a copy of the relevant page as an Email attachment or similar? Or if possible, scan and post the page here?
Or he could do a search on this forum (see green line at top of page) as iirc others have shown pics of the driveshaft parts layout in previous threads.

AL.

If "cellmate 1212" would contact me direct ( [email protected]) and let me have his e-mail address, I will see if I can e-mail the relevant page through to him---no promises, I am a complete cretin when it comes to computers.

the hobbler said:

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------------------- I am a complete cretin when it comes to computers.

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Me too! :shrug:

AL.

Here it is...

Great, thanks. Being new to this forum, but a 500 devotee, I feel that I am amongst friends, what a great community. I have everything apart now and can see what is going on. The flexi couplings are not mint...but they are not slipping. It is a problem with the drive shaft/flange splines. Neither of them are fantastic, but I am suspecting the ones in the flange may be the worst.....would this typically be the ones that fail? I am hoping so because from what I read here, swapping the shafts is not that simple. When I work out how to include the photos that I have taken, I will upload them to give you a better idea of the problem.

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Here are the shots of the splines....what do you think....shaft OK....relatively speaking

I would recommend changing the driveshafts and the couplings as they usually come complete. They are likely to have been matched as a reasonable fit where as if you just change the driveshafts you could end up with play which could cause early wear to your new ones.
Whilst you are at it fit some new flexi joints. They are not that expensive for the F onwards and you will know they are ok for a good few years.