The white plastic bushes in which the release arm pivots are something I habitually replace when the gearbox is stripped-down; this the third one I've done so thoroughly. I can't remember finding the same situation as in this recent example where there is no bottom bush. The bottom of the shaft simply turns in the aluminium casing. It's very annoying because there does seem to be more play than I would like. Even if there is enough metal to allow it I'm not sending it away to be bored out to fit a bush at this stage. :bang: I've just looked at a 500 box and that seems to have two identical bushes. The one I'm dealing with is probably off a 126. Has anyone any idea if all 126 boxes are like this?

fiat500 said:

The white plastic bushes in which the release arm pivots are something I habitually replace when the gearbox is stripped-down; this the third one I've done so thoroughly. I can't remember finding the same situation as in this recent example where there is no bottom bush. The bottom of the shaft simply turns in the aluminium casing. Has anyone any idea if all 126 boxes are like this?

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I seem to remember coming across a similar 126 gearbox myself but I am well into double figures with ones I have messed with and all of the others had the two bushes.

Very curious Peter, I also have only come across the boxes with 2 bushes.

Snap! 500r 594 engine and box
Easy to fix
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/454382-whats-missing.html

Thanks for that info cambio Mine is on a gearbox which was also mated to a 594 engine. I don't know what vehicle it came off but it already had the shorter driveshafts fitted so was being used on a 500 even if originally from a 126. My gearbox has synchromesh although I see that on your linked posting yours didn't.
I think I'll live with the wear on mine for now and see how it goes. You've prompted me to realise that a small adjustable reamer would make short work of widening the hole....pity the only one I have is 16mm.

I did mine in situ, the drill was just long enough to get to the bottom using the upper as a pilot. Electric hand drill on slow. I can measure up the drill if it helps, I think it was an eBay cheap hss job.
May have been an early 126 mod, or cost reduction. Wasn't the problem on mine anyway (clutch cable was the culprit) but I didn't like the idea of it rattling round and wearing even more.

cambio said:

. Wasn't the problem on mine anyway (clutch cable was the culprit) but I didn't like the idea of it rattling round and wearing even more.

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I'm hoping the very slight movement won't have a negative effect....but it is negligible and given that I might make it worse by removing more metal, instead I decided to build it up. I have some aluminium-based, polyester bodyfiller which is a very fine consistency. So I wiped in a a tiny smear of this into the shaft housing and immediately inserted the shaft and let it all set. Then I scraped off the excess with a blade and some abrasive paper.
There's now no discernible play and as the top bush is taking most of the thrust I reckon that with a bit of lubrication it should be OK for a while.