I was just looking at the possibility that brake shoes for the 126 might be fitted to a 500. What I'm after are the locating pins which secure the shoes to the backplate. Without them, it can sometimes be a PITA to keep the shoes in the right place whilst you fit the drum...I had just that experience today.:bang: I also think they would reduce the tendency I think the shoes sometimes have, in that they maybe rub on the side of the drum.

I guess I would need 126 backplates as a minimum?

Has anyone done this?

126 brake shoes have an additional hole in them Peter (re. the 500 shoe). If you got a set of them, would it be possible to drill through the back-plate usingthe brake-shoe as a guide?

the hobbler said:

126 brake shoes have an additional hole in them Peter (re. the 500 shoe). If you got a set of them, would it be possible to drill through the back-plate usingthe brake-shoe as a guide?

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I think I might simply buy 126 shoes next time I change them Tom. Do you know if they are made to the same radius as the 500 type?

According to my various "books of words" Peter, the radius of the 500 brake-drum is between 6.702 and 6.712 ins (170.230 to 170 480mm) and the 126 brake drum diameter on the Mk1 (595cc) is between 6.697 and 6.708 ins (170.1 to 170.4mm) and on the Mk2 (652cc) between 7.293 and 7.304ins (185.24 to 185.53mm). It would seemthat there is practically no difference between the 500 and the Mk1 drums. The 500 measurements were from the Factory "book of words" and the 126 measurements from my Haynes' books---hope that helps

Maybe you could fit the bigger brakes like on my Giardiniera
Alan

fiat500 said:

I was just looking at the possibility that brake shoes for the 126 might be fitted to a 500. What I'm after are the locating pins which secure the shoes to the backplate. Without them, it can sometimes be a PITA to keep the shoes in the right place whilst you fit the drum...I had just that experience today.:bang: I also think they would reduce the tendency I think the shoes sometimes have, in that they maybe rub on the side of the drum.

I guess I would need 126 backplates as a minimum?

Has anyone done this?

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You will not be able to fit 126 brake shoes inside the 500 set up. Quite a few guys have fitted 126 brakes to a 500 but you have to start at the backing plate and change everything plus you can only fit the original wheels with adaptor plates.

Toshi 975 said:

You will not be able to fit 126 brake shoes inside the 500 set up. Quite a few guys have fitted 126 brakes to a 500 but you have to start at the backing plate and change everything plus you can only fit the original wheels with adaptor plates.

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That's a shame. At least it's one less pointless task to set myself.

fiat500 said:

That's a shame. At least it's one less pointless task to set myself.

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You could possibly try fitting clips to what you have. I seem to remember a post about the brake shoes leaning out about a year ago. I think that it was solved by fitting new backing plates as the pins for the self adjusters were not worn.

The Giardiniera uses Fiat 600 brakes Alan. Same wheel PCD (98) as the Mk2 (650) 126 models. The Mk1 versions of the 126 used the same 190 pcd as the 500 saloon which enables one to fit the slightly wider (4in as against 3-1/2 in) Mk1 126 wheels to a 500.

Toshi 975 said:

You could possibly try fitting clips to what you have. I seem to remember a post about the brake shoes leaning out about a year ago. I think that it was solved by fitting new backing plates as the pins for the self adjusters were not worn.

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You might be onto something there. I've just fitted a front pair of brake-shoes. Admittedly, the backplates look in much better condition...like new in fact, but this set is old stock from a very reputable supplier and has the old, removable friction adjusters. They sit there quite calmly, without the slightest hint of a lean. So, maybe they have more accurately machined self-adjusters..certainly looks like that.

Hi Hobbler,
thanks i'm still learning with these little Fiats.
Alan

Looking through my spare parts again searching for something I discovered that I have 2 sets of front brake backing plates, also front flexi hoses, brake cylinders, shoes and brake drums just in case there is any interest

Toshi 975 said:

Looking through my spare parts again searching for something I discovered that I have 2 sets of front brake backing plates, also front flexi hoses, brake cylinders, shoes and brake drums just in case there is any interest

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I recommend that anyone who's likely to need these items in the near future snaps them up. Toshi 975 supplied the front set for my car and they fitted better than any of the other braking-system parts that I had stupidly bought previously from a main supplier.