Technical Is there a door handle hinge upgrade?

[vexorg]

It appears our 500 has joined the broken door handle club.

It's just the front hinge bit that snapped, is there an upgrade available, made of titanium or something, that will last longer than the crappy fiat part? I'd rather not have to do this every few years. I'd have thought someone would have offered something since it's a very common fault.

I see that there are just hinge parts for sale online, can someone recommend a better brand or supplier?

 

[jackwhoo]

Hi,

My view is problem caused by corrosion between the dissimilar metals of the hinge pin and hinge body. A little spray grease or oil on the pin prior to fitting should keep it going for a decade .

I used a febi replacement part rather than generic no name.

Best wishes
Jack

 

[RedAbarthMTA]

I used the ebay specials, so far so good, but I did enclose the pin in a large dollop of copper-slip. Thinking was, if air or water can't get to it, it can't corrode. Seems OK so far.

 

[jrkitching]

The hinge is exposed to the elements, made from materials which corrode, and shipped from the factory with no lubrication whatsoever. It's a failure waiting to happen, and one of many examples on the 500 where design aesthetics have been given priority over sound engineering principles. The Panda's door handle hanges aren't exposed to the elements in the same way, and do not regularly fail in normal service.

As has been said, lubricating the new hinge before fitting will greatly extend its life.

At least it's now possible to buy the hinge separately at reasonable cost. Back in the day, the only option was a complete new hinge from Fiat at around £100 + fitting & VAT. IIRC there were cases where Fiat wouldn't even replace these under the third year dealer warranty.

 

[vexorg]

Thanks, a dollop of grease will do then

 

[vexorg]

What a cheap and dumb design that front hinge is:

Snapped as the pin had seized. However putting it all back together, I noticed the front of the handle wasn't sitting flush, but after redoing it again, the handle curves away from the door panel! Meaning all the water and crap of the day can get in there.

Hopefully silicon grease over the hinge part will keep it good for a few extra years.
Also checked the driver's door, not stiff or seizing, quite the opposite, very worn and loose feeling, looks like another hinge will be needed very soon.

Quite an easy job, took longer to hoover the car afterwards than the hinge takes to fit. Why cant kids keep their cars clean!