Technical Broken Gearbox Selector - which one?

[Tin Tin]

Hello all,

I was in the process of installing a 126 gearbox into my 500 when during strip down to change the driveshaft's I was presented with this, see pic.

I believe it’s a broken 3rd / 4th gear selector but I am not sure. Compared to the pictures in on-line catalogues it does to look like 3rd/4th selectors or the 1st / 2nd.

Can anyone help with identifying which selector it is and how I might find a replacement?

Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

Peter

 

[Tin Tin]

Can anyone help please?

Peter

 

[Bambino]

Peter,

I found the attached photo in the Fiat 500 Workshop Manual and I would think that the 126 selectors would be very similar, if not the same.

From the picture your broken selector fork looks like component 25 which is the 1st gear fork. There should be plenty of second hand ones around.

Hope this helps,

Chris

 

[Tin Tin]

Chris,

Thank you, part 25 it is, I do not have this picture in my manual so you have really helped. I just now need to track one down without having to by a whole box.

Many thanks

Peter

 

[Bambino]

Peter,

Have a look here - http://www.fiat500ricambi.com/fiat126/Gear+box/VB1089

Chris

 

[Tin Tin]

Chris,

Thanks to your help I now know the part is called "Shifting claw 1. gear" and the part number is 225288.

None of the suppliers on the internet seem to show this so I will start calling by phone next week. I was wondering how good are Fiat themselves at supporting their heritage and if I should start there.

Peter

 

[Bambino]

Peter,

I've never had much luck with Fiat itself - there are plenty of aftermarket suppliers and retailers around the world though who are very helpful.

The other thing to think about is the health of the rest of the box. Snapping a selector isn't what I'd call normal wear and tear and you might find that the rest of the gearbox has also been abused or neglected over time. They are relatively expensive to rebuild but quite cheap to buy when you find one. You will have to strip the differential anyway as the 126 halfshafts are too long for the 500.

Chris

 

[Paolo66]

Hi Tin Tin
I have an old 500 gearbox that worked perfectly ok. I upgraded the engine and gearbox to a 650 so I dont need it anymore. You're quite welcome to the whole gearbox if you sort out a courier or I can try and remove the part you need. PM me if you're interested
Damian

 

[Tin Tin]

Chris / Damian

I have tracked down and ordered the selector from Autostoria in France, incl P&P it was pretty pricy at €60 (v expensive on the P&P) but at least it means I can move on. I was concerned about discovering the broken selector as I thought it was unusual too. I have the box about 75% stripped (enough to remove the selector) and the rest of it looks Ok but there again I would not necessary know what to look for apart from mashed up teeth. I have spent about £170 so far inc the box, so assuming I am able to reassemble it I will order the replacement driveshafts and gasket set. If I discover the box is shot I guess then I will have to go the “new box route”.

Is there any logic about which replacement shafts to order as there seems to be reasonably priced 24mm replacements to high priced exotics.

Thank you both for your help and Damien your kind offer of your old box.

Peter

 

[Paolo66]

Peter
I got my shafts from Leo van der laan at fiat500vdlaan.nl. Hes a good bloke and wont rip you off. If I remember rightly they cost £80 for the complete kit
Damian

 

[the hobbler]

hi peter;
I have also done business with Leo Van Der laan--never had a problem, gear seems good and resonably priced.

 

[Tin Tin]

Many thanks to you both for the recommendation, Leo Van Der laan is new to me so good to have him on my list. Hopefully my selector will arrive this weekend and I can start reassembly and move on to the next stage.

Peter

 

[Toshi 975]

Ouch ! been busy & just spotted this thread but I have a box of left over bits from rebuilding 126 gearboxes and will almost certainly have a selector fork, sorry mate. The high P&P cost is probably down to a minimum charge. I have come across broken forks before along with other broken bits. I would have a close look at the condition of the gear teeth especialy on 1st & reverse.

 

[Tin Tin]

Hi Toshi,

I have just heard that the selector is on a two week back order and not in stock as advertised. Do you think you have one that you could let me have?

Is if so could you advise the cost p&p etc.

Many thanks

Peter

 

[Toshi 975]

Been in the shed this morning , found the bit & sent a PM

 

[Tin Tin]

Hi Dave,

I picked up the selector from the post office this morning. Thank you so much for helping me out, I can now start the gearbox re-assenmbly and drive shaft swap.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Toshi 975]

Good news indeed & I hope that it all goes well with the gearbox. What Tin Tin did not say was that the spare one I found in my box of bits went astray thanks to the Royal Mail. Very frustrating but it kind of did me a favour as I ended up stripping four 126 gearboxes and one 500 one. So sent another fork, recorded this time, got a 500 diff for a mate and am part way through rebuilding three 126 syncro gearboxes. All good fun and I must thank Tin Tin for his generosity

 

[doblovert]

TinTin: I'd be obliged if you could help-- re Autostoria, did you actually buy from there? Did the item arrive?

I ordered Abarth cam covers for my Strada 130TC, stated on their site (or rather their alternative site Turismo Veloce) 4 in stock,but they never arrived yett they took my money (just under £100), I queried it, they promised another delivery date,but still never arrived. Then they stated they're on backorder ( a month ago now), and they are now not responding to contact. They've had my money 47 days, but no goods!!!

I'd like to know if it's just me being unlucky,or are they always like that?

 

[Tin Tin]

Hi,

I am sorry I cant really help as I cancelled the order with them as Dave came to my rescue.

I hope you resolve the issue with them.

All the best.

Peter