Hi guys,

Fixing up my grans panda mk2 on which the rear axle spring seat rusted through. I’ve taken the old axle assembly off but all of the parts are in poor condition so I’m looking at replacing the entire rear axle assembly.

I’ve found a good condition mk3 rear axle assembly and from the photos it looks the exact same as the mk2.

Can anyone confirm this?

Cheers,
andrew

no idea about the rear.

I know the front suspension was changed and the struts are different

large breaker often know which parts are swappable between models as its in there interest. I few phone calls should soon have the answer

I see the later Fiat 500 Pop 1.2 / Fiat Punto Evo (Active / Mylife) 1.2 Petrol share the same axle

The later axle is a straight swap but the wheel spindle hangers are 25mm wider at each side (50mm track). You will need the later springs as the 169 Panda springs are much too hard for the later axle. Handling and ride (with 500 springs) are considerably improved.

I have fitted the 500 axle along with 500 springs. The Panda Mk3 and Ford Ka axle is supposed to be the same, so should fit. However, any more than 165R14 wheels are unlikely to fit. 100HP wheels definitely wont fit without modifying the later model axle.

Disconnect brakes (cut hoses and spin fragment off the metal pipes), hand brake cables and ABS, Take the axle hangers off the car (3 bolts each side). Drop the axle down. Swap the hangers to the new axle and jack it into place.

Have a look on ebay, a new replacement Axle comes in at about £150 or less.
Then you can source the other parts needed

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I’m going to go with the second hand mk3 assembly as it’s only £295 and cosmetically at least looks like there’s almost no rust. I’ll probably get the 500 springs at some point but at least with the axle the car can get back on the road

I would say that anything wider than 165 tyres are too wide for the later spec axle on OEM wheels. However If you have the smaller wheels the 500 axle is an excellent upgrade. Ride and handling both improve. You can confirm by removing the road springs, sitting the car on it's bump stops and measuring clearance. The 500 is 25mm wider at each side.

If you have wider wheels, then simply get a brand new pattern Panda 169 axle via eBay or direct from https://www.imaxle.co.uk/ of Nottingham.

I would be mindful of putting a different width axle on any car.


I was in the pits of at international go-kart race when just before the final race it started to rain. They only had time to either change the wheels to full wet or alter the rear track but not both. They just altered the rear width so the rear better followed the dry track left from the front.


everything has a knock on effect.

Andym563 said:

Hi guys,

Fixing up my grans panda mk2 on which the rear axle spring seat rusted through. I’ve taken the old axle assembly off but all of the parts are in poor condition so I’m looking at replacing the entire rear axle assembly.

I’ve found a good condition mk3 rear axle assembly and from the photos it looks the exact same as the mk2.

Can anyone confirm this?

Cheers,
andrew

Click to expand...

Before you spend out its worth check the sills near the rear wheel arch. Give them tap with your knuckle to make sure the metal isn't getting thin.


Seeing less Pandas every year as rot is starting to get hold.

I would happily have the 500 axle on the 100HP but its just too wide. On the Dynamic 1.2 with its 155 tyres the effect is like day and night. So much better.

DaveMcT, is that because the later axle has an anti-roll bar and you are using the softer 500 springs with cushions top and bottom to bring back the height?

The ARB and softer springs really do improve the handling. It's amazing how much grip you can get from 13 x 155 tyres when they are not skipping bump to bump.

The ARB siffens the axle as loads get shared to the other side. If you use the 169 springs the back end jacks up enormously and the ride is like there are no springs. I dont know why they should be so harsh but they really don't work with the 500 axle.

The 500 springs are much softer (I read 30% softer) and completely sort the ride and compliance. But they are a bit short for the Panda. Using the spring top rubbers on both ends restores most of the lost ride height. If you need more, get some fibre spacers under the spring tops.

I posted the details om my conversion thread. The search will find it.

I was pleasantly surprised how well it grips on its skinny tyres and how fast and controllable it is on medium and high speed bends. Ride is cr@p though unless it has some load.

I live near a large traffic island that's sort of 1980s TV screen shaped. You nip off then find the first bend is tighter than you would expect. Throw in the peeling off top layer of tarmac joints and it gets "interesting" Unless you took great care, the old axle had the back end skipping. The 500 axle with 500 springs, original brakes and shocks have just planted the back end.

Just to be certain - is your car the 169 model 2003-2012? There seems to be some difference of opinion as to what a Mk2 actually is. Most agree on 'second generation' Panda for the 169. I've certainly encountered some later 'first generation' cars referred to as 'Mk2'.

So just make sure the 'Mk3' rear axle you're looking at is from the 'third generation' 2012+ model 319. I understand the axle is the same on the 2012+ FIAT 500 (and Ford Ka).

My choice would definitely be to get a 2012+ 500 rear axle with ARB as per DaveMcT's suggestion above, preferably as recent as possible from a breakers complete with shock absorbers, springs and the extra cushions needed. In fact I was thinking of doing this anyway even though my axle's in good condition (recently rust-treated and painted).

personally I would keep the rear axle narrower than the front as per original.

the wider rear on later car is still narrower than there increased font track


https://www.google.co.uk/search?ei=...hUKEwjf3PuZ2b7qAhV0mVwKHRr_AicQ4dUDCAs&uact=5

the last thing you need is the rear swapping ends with the front while driving down a dual carriageway in the rain

The ultra short Smart car has a wider rear axle. It's instability at speed is more down to the short wheel base than anything else. The Panda Dynamic with old axle was like any other Panda skippy at the back but adequate. The 500 axle cured the lively back end (the original shocks were swapped). The 100HP has more wet grip but the Dynamic's narrow tyres cut standing water more effectively. The Dynamac feels more planted at the back end.

Given the choice I would happily have the 500 axle under the 100HP.

koalar said:

Before you spend out its worth check the sills near the rear wheel arch. Give them tap with your knuckle to make sure the metal isn't getting thin.
Seeing less Pandas every year as rot is starting to get hold.

Click to expand...

That's interesting, thank you koalar. I was very impressed with the lack of bodywork rust on my Panda, especially compared with the Mazdas of similar vintage I'm used to (which are killed by rear sill and wheel arch rot).

Is there anywhere else on the body they are particularly prone to rust? I'm familiar with the coolant return pipe, rear axle, springs, brakes and front wheel arch mud trap.

Presumably Dinitrol or similar sprayed inside the access holes for the rear sills would be good to keep it at bay.

Bad example

the smart 453 has a wider track at the rear. But if you measure the edge of the front and rear wheels they are identical.


But I don't care. Fiat spent billions developing a car and when they upgraded it the kept the same ratio front to rear


I just don't want to advise someone to make a change because I feel its okay.


it doesn't sound a lot. But percentage wise of a 155 it adds up to quite a bit.

Ford told Fiat that they would not accept the original 500 axle for the Fiat built Ka. Fiat accordingly added the ARB and softer springs and used it on both cars. So much for Fiat pushing the boat out for the original version.