Phone call from daughter - high pitched noise in first year in her 58 plate 1.2 Fiat 500. Driving ok, other gears appear to be ok. I've not got to hear the noise myself, but I've got a tip off its the first motion shaft bearing??


As far as I can tell it is gearbox, I've asked her if the whining noise could be her brakes, aircon, windows open/closed, radio on and off, moaning companion in the passenger seat!


Can't find anything in the forums about this part, is anyone familiar, it sounds expensive?


Also, is it wise to drive?


BTW Newbie - sorry guys and gals

Hello and welcome :wave:

Sorry to hear your daughter is having problems with the gearbox on her car.

The 500 is not known for gearbox problems (at least, not in manual form); normally you'd expect the 'box to last the life of the car. If internal problems do occur, generally it's because they've been allowed to run low on oil. Gearbox oil level is the first thing to check - a garage job unless you're handy with the spanners.

If the internals have worn to the point where it's started to whine, then on a 7yr old car, replacing the 'box complete with one bought from a breakers is probably the simplest and cheapest way forward. Expect to pay £100-£150 for the 'box, and get an independent garage to fit it - it's a straightforward job so charges should be reasonable.

If you drive for any length of time with a worn gearbox, you will probably cause excessive wear to other internal gearbox components - though if it's got to the whining stage, that may already have happened.

thanks for the speedy reply. I have noted that there is not much on the forum about gearbox problems, having searched "gearbox" and "noise". Could there be other explanations or common faults that we need to check for first?