The Beard said:

I have to admit that my days of grovelling around under a car in the rain have long gone, but, for what it's worth, there has been some good advice on this thread so far. What I'd also consider is looking at the drain holes in the bottom of the doors and the tailgate. Sadly, in the last couple of months I've found corrosion in both the n/s sill and the tailgate, but I too want to keep the little Panda going as long as possible so it's going in for that work in the next couple of weeks.

There are some essential staples (in my opinion) that are indispensible.

1) Can of brake cleaner; good at getting all sorts of gunk off all sorts of places.
2) Good set of basic spanners or sockets. If need be, buy them as needed.
3) Can of penetrating oil.
4) Check if your local college offers night classes in car maintenance. Sometimes the classes will use a pupil's car as an example. Free repair.
5) Find a local mechanic, stalk him, take embarrassing photos then blackmail him.

Please note, No. 5 is optional, and illegal.

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Bilt hamber hydrate 80

BH dynax s50

And BH UB
https://www.fiatforum.com/car-care/282179-winter-coming.html

colstown said:

Now will some nice understanding human being tell me how to get unregistered from this abominable site in order that I dont have to see any more of this

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Love it!
You view, read and respond to posts by choice, so the best way to 'deregister yourself' is to go and use your time elsewhere and not log on to this forum any more.
Or you could learn to take some flak when others have views that are different from yours.

There are issues which can be safely left, issues which can be worked around cheaply, and issues which must be addressed if a vehicle isn't going to be a danger to other road users.

One of the great things about this forum is that there are lots of folks with a lifetime of experience who are only too willing to share that experience with others to help them to run their cars more affordably than if they were to rely on franchised dealers, or even the trade generally.

But on every car forum, there's always some eejit that thinks they know better than the experts and keeps posting what can only be described as dangerous practices.

Here is a photo collection of some of the best. I find number 9 particularly amusing.

flashlights?

Well guys, just an update.

The spring, struts and drop links arrived yesterday so we wasted no time in getting them on! Ran into a bit of difficulty as the top strut bearings plate and rubber bushings are absolutely rotten! Seized bearing, crumbling rust on the plate and the rubber is very rough. The bearings aren't even advisable to put back on 'for now' so we've decided ordering new parts for both sides is appropriate as the new shocks and springs can only work their best with new top parts really!

So after difficulty finding the bearing plate, I had to order it from Fiat who said Tuesday or Wednesday it'll be ready for me. Total of £83 ish for those extra parts. I have now exceeded their repair quote for the suspension of £177, but that was for a single shock so I have done more than was needed for just a little more - hopefully this will pay off in improved ride quality and longevity of my front suspension over the next few years of enjoying my Panda.

I'll post a thread once it's all done to show these photos, but I have another posted about sourcing the strut bearing where I have uploaded a picture that shows the condition of those old parts!

Those old drop links were VERY wobbly, and rattly. I have a feeling the new Original Birth ones will resolve that issue! One of my shocks was a 'SACHS' absorber which looked in fair condition (could this be the original as they're used by some OEMs?) and one shamelessly leaking destroyed shock with no brand name on it whatsoever (not original) which was causing all the trouble! Thankfully, the two new Top Line ones from Italy should make the Panda a bit smoother and stop my tyres from balding on the inside!

After this issue is tackled, I'll be repairing the rusty wheel arch, which I have all the stuff for and possibly making a thread about it but for now the suspension is the focus.

After this, I have decided the Timing Belt is going to be done next (and water pump) by Fiat. I have heard a slight squeak from the car when idling, could this be a deadly sign?! I know someone said they've seen a lot of FIRE engines and the belts have never been an issue, but hey, if I get it re-done now at 100k, I should be even more confident the Panda can do another 100k miles and 4-5 years on it?

A lot of you have told me to ignore the oil seal, as time is on my side for it - my mind is definitely at rest over it now. I do plan on getting it fixed, but again, keeping the oil topped up will be my number one priority as the weeks go by.



P.s. I appreciate all of the replies about the repairs, suggestions and tips I've gotten.

There really is no substitute for a bit of research and then getting stuck in, with some extra encouragement and support.

These cars are simple and reliable but built to a price, yours is at the age when a lot of things fail all together but if you work through them sensibly you will hopefully have a decent reliable little car to enjoy.

Keep at it...

bluejohn125 said:

There really is no substitute for a bit of research and then getting stuck in, with some extra encouragement and support.



These cars are simple and reliable but built to a price, yours is at the age when a lot of things fail all together but if you work through them sensibly you will hopefully have a decent reliable little car to enjoy.



Keep at it...

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Thanks! Yes it does seem that way currently that a lot is going wrong at once, but I am hopeful it'll quiet down eventually and all it'll need is the usual brakes and lights and tyres stuff