Technical Classic Fiat 500N Hubs help

[CamJ500]

Greetings from South Africa!

I hope you are all well.

As per the pictures and videos, I am experiencing difficulty with the front hubs on my 500N.

It is evident that the hubs are scraping against the backing plate, and after a lot of scraping, it causes the car to start braking.

Has anyone experienced this before? And if so, may I please ask you guide me on how this can be resolved.

I suspect the hub’s surface is not flat which is causing it to rub against the backing plate.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,

Cameron.

 

[fiat500]

Greetings from South Africa!

I hope you are all well.

As per the pictures and videos, I am experiencing difficulty with the front hubs on my 500N.

It is evident that the hubs are scraping against the backing plate, and after a lot of scraping, it causes the car to start braking.

Has anyone experienced this before? And if so, may I please ask you guide me on how this can be resolved.

I suspect the hub’s surface is not flat which is causing it to rub against the backing plate.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,

Cameron.

Hi Cameron, that sounds similar to an issue that I keep meaning to sort out on one front brake on my 500F. In my case there is a tinny noise as if the brake spring(s) are catching, but only when braking. I changed the drum and adjusted the bearings but it's still noisy. I have now figured that it is a brake backplate that is deformed or weak.

 

[CamJ500]

Hi Cameron, that sounds similar to an issue that I keep meaning to sort out on one front brake on my 500F. In my case there is a tinny noise as if the brake spring(s) are catching, but only when braking. I changed the drum and adjusted the bearings but it's still noisy. I have now figured that it is a brake backplate that is deformed or weak.

Hi Peter!

Thank you for your response.

I have a feeling either the backing plate or hub has warped which is causing it to scrape.

I am thinking of taking the hub to be machined down to create a gap between the hub and the backing plate - removing the backing plate is not so simple! Haha

Thank you again.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

understand this
N's are unique and whilst they look like later cars almost none of the parts are interchangeable....
I have afriend in SA who is restoring an original N Jolly (which is an N that was cut by Ghia) if you want he may be able to offer his knowledge as he has just done all his brakes etc

 

[heggae]

Hi Peter!

Thank you for your response.

I have a feeling either the backing plate or hub has warped which is causing it to scrape.

I am thinking of taking the hub to be machined down to create a gap between the hub and the backing plate - removing the backing plate is not so simple! Haha

Thank you again.

I had a similar problem on my 60 deluxe bus Vw. For years I had this annoying vibration /hum from one wheel. That was from the drum rubbing in the backing plate. I had reassembled the mechanism several times but never knew I was missing something Finally came across an experienced bus guy and he showed me that there were these very thin spacers that sat on the axel and moved the brake drum out a little and noise went away I never knew they were missing. But he gave a several. And all good since

 

[Bigvtwin996]

as i said.. Ns are different, you may have later parts mixed in....
Ignore that advice at you own peril!!