Hi guys, anyone found if the bearings split on removing the hubs, is it sensible to replace them anyway.
And have any of you clever Internet search gurus found replacements that don't call for removing your underwear at the stealer?

I'm in the USA for awhile longer, and will need to do something about wifeys pride and joy when I get back.

Cheers all, happy motoring.

andydiver said:

Mind if I ask what sort of mileage you are doing? Don't think I have ever replaced front certainly not back discs or drums on any car up to 120k or more. Run most up to 80k or so. Are these parts high wear, do you do a lot of hill driving involving heavy braking?
Should add most driving has been cruising and tend to coast into junctions. .

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I thought I replied to this question but can't see it now... Since brake pads stopped containing asbestos, the material they are made from is much 'harder' and causes more wear to the discs. Whereas years ago a disk would outlast several sets of pads, now it is not at all uncommon to have replace the pads and the disks at the same time. Certainly disks will need replacing every second set of pads. Most discs have a minimum thickness that, once gone beyond can result in the disc cracking and failing. This minimum thickness is sometimes stamped as a number (in mm) onto the outer rim of the disc. My 2005 4x4 had the front discs replaced at about 30k miles, again at about 60k and also not long before I sold it. I think the rear discs were only replaced twice in that time (the rears are solid, not vented and so can wear further before needing to be replaced). On the 2005 4x4 I could replace all the discs and all the pads in under 2 hours (DIY) . It was all very easy to reach and do-able with pretty standard tools. The new 4x4 seems to have made this (1) very difficult, to say the least and (2) needs 'inside out' Torx sockets too

Brakes on the Panda 4x4 (2013 model) suddenly started binding, fortunately less than a mile from home. Removed the hot rear wheel and found the dust shield (described as “Protection” in the parts list) had come adrift and was rubbing against the disc.

Fortunately no scoring ordamage to the disc. The damaged shield is something I could repair in a few minutes work with the MIG, but there is no way it can be re-fitted without dismantling the hub bearings. Judging from the diagram, it seems to be held in place by pop-rivets, so I imagine they must have all worked loose and/or sheared off. What a crazy design! https://www.fiatdalys.lt/en/catalog/...0/0/brake-pads

Think I shall probably just run without the shield, at least until there is some other reason to remove the disc.

R1NGA said:

Holy Cow - that's almost up there with Porsche prices.... You could do the whole lot on the previous model for about £150! I am genuinely shocked and have a mind to pull a back wheel off to see if this is really the case.

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Me too. If it costs this much I will be selling my 2017 Panda 4x4 before these need doing, and it will me my last Fiat!

Frankly I have never heard anything more preposterous!!!

This sounds like a serious case of needing a lot of don't buy one of these information putting out into the public arena. Who needs something as stupid as this?

Jabe said:

Brakes on the Panda 4x4 (2013 model) suddenly started binding, fortunately less than a mile from home. Removed the hot rear wheel and found the dust shield (described as “Protection” in the parts list) had come adrift and was rubbing against the disc.

Fortunately no scoring ordamage to the disc. The damaged shield is something I could repair in a few minutes work with the MIG, but there is no way it can be re-fitted without dismantling the hub bearings. Judging from the diagram, it seems to be held in place by pop-rivets, so I imagine they must have all worked loose and/or sheared off. What a crazy design! https://www.fiatdalys.lt/en/catalog/...0/0/brake-pads

Think I shall probably just run without the shield, at least until there is some other reason to remove the disc.

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Interesting to look at the price of parts - a bare TA engine is priced at 12000 euros, which seems pretty hefty.

Have searched on and off for months, I cannot find online replacement hubs for a 2013 4x4
New bearing kits for the front axle no problem, rears no luck, I could be wrong but the bearings in the rear hubs are non replaceable, hence complete hub needed but absolutely b****d if I can find a source, don't particularly want to approach the stealer I'm fond of my kidneys.

"If I ever meet the person who designed that ......."
Can anybody advise on an appropriate form of words to complete the sentence?

gullyfoyle said:

Have searched on and off for months, I cannot find online replacement hubs for a 2013 4x4
New bearing kits for the front axle no problem, rears no luck, I could be wrong but the bearings in the rear hubs are non replaceable, hence complete hub needed but absolutely b****d if I can find a source, don't particularly want to approach the stealer I'm fond of my kidneys.

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I was told by a helpful dealer that they have a special tool to ensure that the bearings don't split apart when the disc is removed. Can't confirm the validity of this, but he said that most DIY attempts to change the discs result in buggered-up bits and they are forever trying to order just the bearings, but struggling as a full replacement hub is all that's listed. Again, not tried this myself to confirm the anecdote...

R1NGA said:

I was told by a helpful dealer that they have a special tool to ensure that the bearings don't split apart when the disc is removed. Can't confirm the validity of this, but he said that most DIY attempts to change the discs result in buggered-up bits and they are forever trying to order just the bearings, but struggling as a full replacement hub is all that's listed. Again, not tried this myself to confirm the anecdote...

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Interesting, I had the fronts replaced with Pagid at my local garage, I bought my wife's car from used from Arnold Clark in Inverness, will give them a call and price for the replacement using supplied Pagid parts.

Hi, I bought new rear pads and discs yesterday and wish I saw this post first.

The pads come out easily, but the outer caliber is secured by torx bolts through the hub. I managed to loosen the disc and could probably loosen one of the torx bolts to be able to manoeuvre the disc out. I didn't have the right tool for this but sort of glad if you think the hub will need replacing.

I can't see why it would need replacing it looks like the disc would come out if the outer caliber was loose.
this is a 2014 4x4 panda.

does anyone have any further info or success stories?

Has anyone done this yet? Went to do it today and got stuck with no Torx sockets. At this point I thought I would look up for instructions and the only thing I can find is this thread. So before I get back to it when I get my new sockets.

Has anyone done it?
Is it really this complicated?
Are there any online instructions?

Vanfan said:

Has anyone done this yet? Went to do it today and got stuck with no Torx sockets. At this point I thought I would look up for instructions and the only thing I can find is this thread. So before I get back to it when I get my new sockets.

Has anyone done it?
Is it really this complicated?
Are there any online instructions?

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Hi, haven't done it myself, but you need to pul the hubs to get the discs off, Fiat dealers have a tool for this that reduces the risk of splitting the bearing, so I bought Pagid discs and pads and got the dealer to fit , cost £216 inc VAT for the labour.

Bump in case anyone can shed some light on doing this as a DIY job.

I had my rear 4x4 discs done earlier this rear and they said they had to drop the rear axle. They broke an abs sensor doing it but replaced it for free they priced the job not realising the work required on the newer 4x4

I have a hunch that you need to disconnect the drive shafts from the differential, which will allow you to post them through the hubs to a degree, which then may (just) allow access to the hidden bolts. Whether you need to drop the axle to achieve this, I don't know, but I woudl be surprised.


There's a video here online that shows removing the rear discs on an Abarth 500 - similar looking arrangement, except of course without a driveshaft. See from about 2mins 25secs in.

Dear God! It should not be that difficult to replace rear disks!:bang:

Having said that, Fiat are not the only ones with "interesting" design features. I had (for a very short while) a 2.5 V6 Jag X type with 4x4. To change half the spark plugs you had to take the head off.....

I think I may be dropping this up to my specialist for rear disks - will have a crack at the fronts myself I think.

agavins said:

Dear God! It should not be that difficult to replace rear disks!:bang:

Having said that, Fiat are not the only ones with "interesting" design features. I had (for a very short while) a 2.5 V6 Jag X type with 4x4. To change half the spark plugs you had to take the head off.....

I think I may be dropping this up to my specialist for rear disks - will have a crack at the fronts myself I think.

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The fronts are a doddle... and on the earlier (2005-12) model, so were the rears. Not sure why they have chosen to make it more difficult on the newer model.

Jabe said:

"If I ever meet the person who designed that ......."
Can anybody advise on an appropriate form of words to complete the sentence?

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Yes but it would be edited off the site. If it proves to cost as much as quoted on here I will take them and the selling dealer to court under the Sale Of Goods Act and sue for not fit for the purpose for which sold and I will be inviting the worlds motoring press to the hearing!

quick question - anyone know which direction to turn the brake retraction tool for the piston to give space for new pads? I think driver side is clockwise (UK Spec right hand car)?

On my (older) 100HP it's clockwise on both sides.
Stilo was counterclockwise on the leftside (that would be my driversside)

gr J