Hi,
My better halfs 500 has developed a clicking sound when driving. Just got through its mot so I would tend to rule out wheel bearing.
The sound is best described ad like a playing card against bike spokes. From the drivers seat it sounds to be from that side. I have had the osf wheel off and everything looks ok.
The sound seems to be constant whether driving straight or cornering, not there in neutral or off the power in gear. It's only really noticeable in gear on the power and can only really hear it up to about 40mph.
I was thinking maybe cv joint or driveshaft? Anyone got any other suggestions? Any methods of confirming what the sound is I.e. if it is the cv joint? Or other?

Does the noise change with speed? There's not a stone or screw in a tyre? Jack up the car and turn each wheel to see if you can hear the sound, how many miles on it?

Nothing obvious in the tyres. Have jacked up osf and no sound. About 78k on the clock. Noise gets faster with speed up to about 40 and then can't really hear it.

Caliper or calliper mounting frame?
Does the noise change any when you press the brakes

For the CV joints in a car park put full lock on and drive in a circle then try full other lock, it will click if it's the outer ones.
Nothing wrapped round the drive shafts like a rag or plastic?

If it's only on power is it maybe a minor exhaust blow somewhere near the front end? Does it change as the car warms up? (e.g. a crack in the exhaust manifold might close up as it warms?). Loose spark plugs can also cause odd noises...but don't overtighten.

If it's a 1.2, the air intake horn to the air filter box is quite notorious for vibrating in strange ways if at all loose (just fixed a Grande Punto with a persistent "untraceable" vibration which was this!).

Depending on age, maybe also check the engine mounts aren't too sloppy so the engine is moving under load, maybe causing random other vibrations. The one under the car at the back of the gearbox possibly being most likely.

Anyway just a few ideas.....good luck.

Nick
www.auto500.co.uk

By the way, does the disappearance around 40mph correspond with changing into 5th gear?

Nick

The disappearance around 40mph is the same in 4th or 5th.
The noise isn't noticeably different either in a straight line or turning.
Was recently serviced and mot'd by a fiat main dealer and despite a request to investigate the noise it came back the same. Obviously not something that would be picked up on MOT.
As I said it's only when it's in gear and on the power. In neutral or In gear and off the power it's fine.
Brakes work fine with no judder or noise.
Is there anything gearbox wise that would make that noise as it definitely seems to be drive related.

Ok, so a mobile mechanic and a garage have had a look and the consensus is that the gearbox is on the way out.
Anyone got any experience here, what sort of cost would people expect and can anyone recommend anywhere in the Midlands to get it done
Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Read the clutch and gearbox thread..

All relevant and current

Read the clutch and gearbox thread..

All relevant and current info

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/486357-damaged-gearbox-clutch.html?p=4588689

Thank you varesecrazy, that's great. These missus had been quote at least £1000 plus vat. If we could get it done for around half that it would be great.

Which part of 'the Midlands'?

Plenty of people on here can offer local knowledge

Nuneaton near coventry

I had a look in the Garages section

Nothing much other than Central Brum

Motormech under the Arches..opposite the Bullring

Excellent reputation and good prices



gadge isnt too far from you..

So might have a local recommendation


We all have an AVOID list of course..


Tbh.. if its a 1242 motor and a 5 speed manual g.box

Its something that can be done on your drive

Do let us know what you find

No recommendations as such as I tend to fix my own cars but there is a well established company in Coventry called "the clutch clinic" who have been separating gearboxes from engines for so many years that I imagine they could actually do them with their eyes shut so maybe pick up a second hand gearbox and see if they will swap them over (and fit a new clutch on whilst its there)

Thanks both, I don't mind doing a bit of spannering but I'm not sure about tackling it myself on the drive.
Will check out both the suggestions. Now you mention it I seem to vaguely remember having a dual mass 'something' replaced on a marea at motormech probably over 20 years ago.
I have read this morning that it's the same box at the 1.2 ford ka, is that correct? Perhaps that opens other options.

Just checked the clutch clinic website and the do actually list gearboxes and recon gearboxes.

The KA is supposedly a 500..and Panda ..mechanically

(All built together in Poland)

I meant that it should only be a short days work for a mobile mechanic

Thanks gadge