On the Fiat 500 1.4 six-speed gearbox -

Is it possible to alter (reduce) the spring tension on the gearselector lever - the springs which keep it centred to the 3rd/4th position? And if so, how much dismantling is involved (in other words, how expensive would it be to have this done). What I need to do is make it easier to push the gear lever across the gate into the 1st/2nd and 5th/6th positions.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

John

there are 2 springs of different weights in the casing bolted to the top of the gearbox one for left one for right

in theory this could all be dismantled quite easily and maybe the ends of the 2 springs loped off with side cutters which would result in the movement being lighter

you would need some glue to seal the top casing back on again and a little access would have to be made to do the job ie removing battery battery tray slave cylinder stuff like that and a few special tools like circlip pliers and other basic stuff

all could be done in maybe 1.5 or 2 hours

in my experience the gear linages on pandas mainly and the new 500 being the same car underneath are always tight from side to side from new but don't worry they will soon loosen up with time returning to the usual fiat style clean crisp easy gear changes

so if i were you i would leave it for now and see how it goes as you may end up making a modification you later regret

all be it for the price of 2 simple springs maybe 10 quid at most

Littlepip

Thank you so much, this is exactly the advice I was looking for. I shall ponder over it.

Best wishes

John

o hang on just realised the springs are aposed to each other one is pressed as the other is released

they are different weights because you find it easier to push away from yourself that to pull towards

there for if you cut them both down it would remain the same weight ever way as reducing the size of both of them has equal and opposite affects

it makes it easier to push one spring but at the same time reduces the push from the other if you were to cut to much off they would become slack and then float about freely

so i'm afraid there's nothing you can do except fit lighter springs

or as i say wait a wile till it loosens up

Thank you again Littlepip (and for the PM).

Luckily I hadn't got the spanners out just yet! What you say sounds logical - different springs would have to be the answer.

John

That's some really great advice from littlepip, thanks so much, even though I think I'll be happy with my gear shift and won't need to modify it is really good to know that there are people on here who can and are willing to reply to questions like these so concisely and with that sort of expertise.

hummmm if you were to cut just one of the springs it would become lighter in just one direction

but heavier in the other lol