I gave our 500, 2500 miles old, its second wash in as many months and opened the bonnet to do the shuts, inner wingss etc.
Top strut mountings were full of (rusty) water; cup washer, strut bolt thread and nut were all red rusty. Dried them and gave a liberal smear of petroleum jelly. Drain holes in front of the turrets were clear, drain holes behind turrets seemed to be blocked with mastic, so poked them free. Evidence of dried dirt around rear of turrets where water has evaporated.This is one to watch as it could become a corrosion point. Any ideas as to a cap over the mounting to prevent water collecting in the cup washer?

If only there was some kind of facility that let you check if others had this issue? Some sort of search.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/163669-rusty-front-shock-absorber-screw-threads.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/208712-rusty-top-monts-anyone.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/149955-water-trap.html


Also they use a bit of oil. And the servicing is quite expensive. You can keep warranty by getting it cheaper from an independant garage using original parts. Yes, the suspension is a bit bouncy, even the new suspension with the arb. And they loosen up after a few thousand miles and feel better and faster. And you should get some winter tyres. But not before arguing to point with everyone.

*sigh*

jnoiles said:

If only there was some kind of facility that let you check if others had this issue? Some sort of search.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/163669-rusty-front-shock-absorber-screw-threads.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/208712-rusty-top-monts-anyone.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/149955-water-trap.html


Also they use a bit of oil. And the servicing is quite expensive. You can keep warranty by getting it cheaper from an independant garage using original parts. Yes, the suspension is a bit bouncy, even the new suspension with the arb. And they loosen up after a few thousand miles and feel better and faster. And you should get some winter tyres. But not before arguing to point with everyone.

*sigh*

Click to expand...

THE END

we can lock this section now

Sorry, I was in a grumpy mood this morning. Strangely enough the source of my gumpiness was that I had to repeat the same thing to someone a million times and he wasn't getting it. Then I looked here for a bit of cheap escapism and got the exact same thing.

The problem has indeed been debated here several times before but I don't think anyone has seen this particular solution.

Go to Sainsburys & buy 2 bottles of "High Juice" squash in whatever flavour you like best. Will cost you £2 as they're on a multibuy promotion.

When you've finished drinking the squash, just cut off the bottom of the bottle and you will find you it fits perfectly!

alternatively use some paint

jrkitching said:

The problem has indeed been debated here several times before but I don't think anyone has seen this particular solution.

Go to Sainsburys & buy 2 bottles of "High Juice" squash in whatever flavour you like best. Will cost you £2 as they're on a multibuy promotion.

When you've finished drinking the squash, just cut off the bottom of the bottle and you will find you it fits perfectly!

Click to expand...

looks like you have created an ideal breeding ground for corrosion...

RobW said:

looks like you have created an ideal breeding ground for corrosion...

Click to expand...

Still looks like new after 8 months - there's just enough of a gap to let the air circulate. Since they're transparent, I'd soon notice if anything was amiss. And the bit that's left makes a great disposable funnel!

No part of the mammoth gets wasted in this household

jrkitching said:

Still looks like new after 8 months - there's just enough of a gap to let the air circulate. Since they're transparent, I'd soon notice if anything was amiss. And the bit that's left makes a great disposable funnel!

No part of the mammoth gets wasted in this household

Click to expand...

Did you keep the "waste" that you produced from the juice to fill the radiator with if it springs a leak?

RobinPJ said:

Did you keep the "waste" that you produced from the juice to fill the radiator with if it springs a leak?

Click to expand...

As said on other threads, what's the issue? If you're needing to undo that nut it'll be to replace a damper and you'll be wanting a new top nut anyway..... If you're squeamish about rust then have a look under the rear suspension at all the nuts and bolts which will already be rusty on your car.......

306maxi said:

As said on other threads, what's the issue? If you're needing to undo that nut it'll be to replace a damper and you'll be wanting a new top nut anyway.....

Click to expand...

On the Ka last year I had to strip down the front struts to replace the bushes - the dampers were still serviceable and so the nut got reused. Would have been a pig of a job if I hadn't kept those parts well greased, so I consider it a small investment against something I might just have to do if I keep the car long enough.

And if I sell the car before that, it makes it look that bit tidier, assuming anyone still looks under the bonnet these days.

jrkitching said:

On the Ka last year I had to strip down the front struts to replace the bushes - the dampers were still serviceable and so the nut got reused. Would have been a pig of a job if I hadn't kept those parts well greased, so I consider it a small investment against something I might just have to do if I keep the car long enough.

And if I sell the car before that, it makes it look that bit tidier, assuming anyone still looks under the bonnet these days.

Click to expand...

I don't know what the suspension setup is like on the Ka (I'd assume macpherson struts just as in the 500) but there should be no reason to undo the top nut anyway. When the Subaru had its front end rebushed earlier this year they didn't remove the struts, all they did was drop the arms down and then remove them.

Of course it's down to the individual person but as a problem it really is miniscule...

306maxi said:

I don't know what the suspension setup is like on the Ka (I'd assume macpherson struts just as in the 500) but there should be no reason to undo the top nut anyway. When the Subaru had its front end rebushed earlier this year they didn't remove the struts, all they did was drop the arms down and then remove them.

Click to expand...

Different bushes. This one needed the strut to be dismantled to replace it - and if you're ever thinking of replacing the springs, you'll need to get that nut undone.

Agreed, though, it's not a major issue - but neither is the fix, and that squash is surprisingly good!

306maxi said:

As said on other threads, what's the issue? If you're needing to undo that nut it'll be to replace a damper and you'll be wanting a new top nut anyway..... If you're squeamish about rust then have a look under the rear suspension at all the nuts and bolts which will already be rusty on your car.......

Click to expand...

I think it is a real issue. If water is pooling in the top mount permanently submerging the nut and shaft that can only result in accelerated corrosion. Its likely to shear off very early probably while your going around a corner. The designer hasnt designed it to be constantly submerged in water, and painting it is only half a solution I think

It will be interesting to see in a few years if the forum people reporting sudden failures.

Adrian Bravo said:

I think it is a real issue. If water is pooling in the top mount permanently submerging the nut and shaft that can only result in accelerated corrosion. Its likely to shear off very early probably while your going around a corner. The designer hasnt designed it to be constantly submerged in water, and painting it is only half a solution I think

It will be interesting to see in a few years if the forum people reporting sudden failures.

Click to expand...

It will take ages to rust through what is quite a thick bit of metal.

With the ****tiness of the dampers Fiat has used on the Panda range I suspect not many people are going to have the dampers on there long enough for the shaft to rust through and shear off

When I put some Bilstein's on my 500 I might look at protecting the shaft and nut perhaps but at the moment it seems like a waste of a bottle or grease or whatever you use to protect it

impact gun gets the top nuts off no problem even 4 year old GP's, the surface rust looks bad but so does pamela anderson in the morning

jnoiles said:

If only there was some kind of facility that let you check if others had this issue? Some sort of search.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/163669-rusty-front-shock-absorber-screw-threads.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/208712-rusty-top-monts-anyone.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/149955-water-trap.html


Also they use a bit of oil. And the servicing is quite expensive. You can keep warranty by getting it cheaper from an independant garage using original parts. Yes, the suspension is a bit bouncy, even the new suspension with the arb. And they loosen up after a few thousand miles and feel better and faster. And you should get some winter tyres. But not before arguing to point with everyone.

*sigh*

Click to expand...

Keep yer wig on , Wiggy!:whogives:

nickm535i said:

Keep yer wig on , Wiggy!:whogives:

Click to expand...

It's called common courtesy (to search), you might like to try it.

306maxi said:

It's called common courtesy (to search), you might like to try it.

Click to expand...

Yeah, sorry to all of you out there. Brain not working; just wanted a solution to the problem. Bit stressed just now.

nickm535i said:

Yeah, sorry to all of you out there. Brain not working; just wanted a solution to the problem. Bit stressed just now.

Click to expand...

No problems We all do silly things sometimes