Technical Cannot remove rear discs on Panda 4x4 TA (312)

[johnpdmccall]

Hi All,

Just as it says- main problem is locating the nuts/bolts that I need to remove to allow me to take off the brake caliper bracket . I've already removed the caliper but can't see how to remove the bracket so that I can then take off the disc. I've looked at a lot of videos online but in all of them the rear wheel brake look different.

There are four of those bolts in the pic named HexMaybe (a torque bolt?) and they seem to be connecting the wheel, disk and bracket to the axle so I'm not sure how the backet is connected. Maybe I need to undo the rearmost two?

 

[ZaphodB]

The bolts heads are called "E Star Torx"

You can pick up a small set to 1/4inch or 1/2inch or not a lot of money

 

[johnpdmccall]

The bolts heads are called "E Star Torx"

You can pick up a small set to 1/4inch for not a lot of money

 

[ZaphodB]

.... or 1/2 inch
pressed enter too quick

 

[johnpdmccall]

Thanks for that - although my main question is: are these the correct bolts to undo? There are four of them and looks like they connect the wheel etc to the axle.

 

[ZaphodB]

This is rwd.... and I'm unfamiliar with the car, but looks similar to the rears on the on the fwd 500 , the four bolts release the wheel hub bearing assembly, but the driveshaft will still be attached to that hub bearing assy.
So you're gonna have to either release the drive shaft from the diff' so the whole thing can move outwards so you can gain access to the caliper bolts, or release the end of the driveshaft from the hub bearing assy, (but you'd better know your torque settings if doing the hub bearing end)

 

[The Panda Nut]

I would suggest you search on here on this topic and you will find very good information is already here.

 

[TTR]

EH up,

Have a search as above, then consider carefully before proceeding

If you handy with spanner’s and prepared for hard graft and one of the most difficult disc changes on such a basic car then go for it.

It’s simple but takes some figuring out, all the info is in a thread on here , a lot of us have contributed bits so read it all as there’s some great tips n tricks

Get a good quality set of E torx , if you’ve got a windy gun then get them suitable for an impact.

Good luck

 

[johnpdmccall]

Thanks TTR - is this the thread?
4x4 rear brake discs

 

[The Panda Nut]

Thanks TTR - is this the thread?
4x4 rear brake discs

I believe so. Good luck. My car is coming up 6 years old Im going to start soaking the necessary bolts with oil etc in preparation for hopefully 3 or 4 years time.

 

[TTR]

Eh up

That’s the one I’ve done two sets since my post in 2019, each time I say never again

Make sure you get a good purchase on the e torx heads before attempting to crack them off.

Good luck

 

[johnpdmccall]

Thanks all for your help.
My main question was answered: There's no need to remove the hub but the 4 torx bolts need to be undone to allow some "wiggle" and therefore access to undo the hidden hex bolts that connect the bracket for the caliper. Took me hours of searching to find that info. So much for my IT skills
I found the thread that explains it all really well here just in case someone else is looking for it:
4x4 rear brake discs

 

[Panda IIs]

Thanks all for your help.
My main question was answered: There's no need to remove the hub but the 4 torx bolts need to be undone to allow some "wiggle" and therefore access to undo the hidden hex bolts that connect the bracket for the caliper. Took me hours of searching to find that info. So much for my IT skills
I found the thread that explains it all really well here just in case someone else is looking for it:
4x4 rear brake discs

Absolutely; no need to remove hub or drive shaft. That was a bit of a myth that has been perpetuated somewhat! Good step by step written on a post (possibly the one above) by Yellow car

Edit: here you go https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/4x4-rear-brake-discs.437398/page-3

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I’ve mentioned this before, but The Fiat Workshop in Royston, north Herts, changed mine for me. The time charged on the bill was just over an hour. Having read the various ‘horror stories’ on here, I asked them how they do it so quickly. The mechanic told me they just undo the central hub nut and pull the whole lot off. Apparently the bearing doesn’t fall apart as they do this. Their website (here: https://www.fiatworkshop.co.uk/fiat_Panda_fixed_price_servicing.shtml) quotes a fixed price £197.60+vat to replace rear discs and pads on the 4x4 Panda (that’s labour and parts)… a bargain if you’re anywhere nearby! (Given mine were changed for the first time at 40,000 miles, it’ll be a while before they need doing again, now my annual mileage is much less)

 

[benmac]

Yep, that's what I did when I changed mine. I say "I" but I actually mean the local garage as I decided I CBA with doing them myself and it was going in for a service and MOT anyway. Discussed it with them with sme of the guidance on here and we decided that whipping the whole lot off was by far the best policy.

 

[Steveetee55]

Warm the axle bolts with a hot air gun they come out easy they are etorx 18 mm if i rememeber right then wiggle the bearing holder round to get at the carrier allen you may gave to warm these up to I did,done my discs last year they are a right basted to change worst discs I've ever fitted

 

[WitleyPanda]

Absolutely; no need to remove hub or drive shaft. That was a bit of a myth that has been perpetuated somewhat! Good step by step written on a post (possibly the one above) by Yellow car

Edit: here you go https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/4x4-rear-brake-discs.437398/page-3

4x4 Rear brake discs | FIAT Panda (2012+)

Well it appears to be the same on the new 319 4x4 Panda as the old one - clockwise for both sides. If its not, I have busted a caliper and will find out shortly.... :)

www.fiatforum.com

 

[Panda IIs]

Warm the axle bolts with a hot air gun they come out easy they are etorx 18 mm if i rememeber right then wiggle the bearing holder round to get at the carrier allen you may gave to warm these up to I did,done my discs last year they are a right basted to change worst discs I've ever fitted

Yeah, its probably more a case of releasing the thread lock that is used than corrosion being the issue.

 

[Eltezz]

I have been reading all of these various threads through the forum concerning 4x4 rear disc brakes and have come to the conclusion that if I ever tackle this I will go the Fiat workshop route and remove the hubs.

I can't understand why everone is frightened of doing this and would rather spend a minimum of 4-5 hours getting frustrated when the job can be done in 1 hour if you remove the hub. All you need is two new stake nuts. Even Elearn says to do it this way...

 

[Panda IIs]

I have been reading all of these various threads through the forum concerning 4x4 rear disc brakes and have come to the conclusion that if I ever tackle this I will go the Fiat workshop route and remove the hubs.

I can't understand why everone is frightened of doing this and would rather spend a minimum of 4-5 hours getting frustrated when the job can be done in 1 hour if you remove the hub. All you need is two new stake nuts. Even Elearn says to do it this way...

I think the concern is that the bearing races separate which opens another jar of worms - but probably only a small one