Bad news - the Wipex rods have failed. As with the originals, the one socket that faces upwards has worn and fallen off. As the Wipex rods are heavier than the originals, this has happened a lot quicker than the original ones.
This isn't Wipex's fault - it's a badly designed mechanism. Usually the sockets face downwards, so gravity helps to hold them on. The Croma (and the Punto at least) have one that faces upwards.
I'd say it's bad that something that works so hard depends on a bit of plastic that's held on by friction.
A new mechanism is £219.77 from Fiat. But that will still fail at some point, as it's a crap design.
So I've ordered a new set of rods from Wipex, as they now don't clip at all, just pop straight off. I've also ordered these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261042823...m=R40&_nkw=261042823348&_rdc=1#ht_2099wt_1344
The ones linked earlier in the thread were for a Punto, and showed the original type of rods. This listing shows the same type of rods as the Wipex ones, so hopefully they'll all work together. The two clips may in fact be identical, as they're the same seller.
I've ordered four clips, and I'll fit as many as possible. Arguably only one is needed, but I've had enough of messing with it! Total damage about £50, including the Wipex rods and delivery.
If these clips fit then I'd suggest they're an essential for every Croma - original or Wipex rods. Otherwise you're just waiting for them to fail.
I'll update this thread with news when I fit them, after the parts arrive.