Technical Panda AirTwin 4x4 MOT query

[Chris Glass]

Following a recent MOT I had the following advisory: Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated Central [6.1.7 (d) (i)]. Would anyone happen to know where the replacement parts can be found?

Many thanks,

 

[The Panda Nut]

Google it there are plenty of suppliers and eBay is awash all around £40. Or for a part with a known provenance try Shop4parts.co.UK

There are threads on here about changing these if you do a search. Good luck.

 

[Chris Glass]

Hello Panda Nut,

Many thanks for such a prompt response, much appreciated.

Regards,

 

[Panda IIs]

Hello Panda Nut,

Many thanks for such a prompt response, much appreciated.

Regards,

Things are not always that straightforward - https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/needed-prop-shaft-for-my-2016-panda-4x4-cross.504755/ I haven't had the problem yet but have a search on this forum. I believe there can issues with removing the bearing, so the solution is to buy a complete prop shaft.

 

[Chris Glass]

Thanks Panda IIs,

I'll bear that in mind.

 

[Brian j]

If I may weigh in here too, removing the bearing is not impossible at home, I did mine with a couple of bearing pullers and some metal wedges.
Getting the splines fully back together was, in my case very difficult and I ended up getting it done by a local specialist. (Unless you want to remove the cv joints so you can press on the ends or beat on the shaft with a hammer it isn’t easy)
I did save money over a new prop, and it was better for the environment, but if I had to do it again I think a new prop is better value. I only saved about £70 overall and i still have used universal joint and cv joints rather than it all being brand new.

 

[Chris Glass]

Hello Brian,

Thanks for the heads up, but I won't be doing this myself. When I took it to the garage that does all our servicing the chap said the parts can't be had for love nor money, which struck me as strange. Hence my detective work on this forum to try to give him a steer towards a solution.

Btw, I have just returned from working as an Engineer for eighteen months in the Naval Dockyard in Plymouth, renting a cottage in a tiny village near Ivybridge. While my Panda doesn't fill me with joy on the motorway, there is no other car I would consider for those tiny West Country lanes, and the way it took on last winters floods was amazing.

Thanks,

 

[Brian j]

Hello Brian,

Thanks for the heads up, but I won't be doing this myself. When I took it to the garage that does all our servicing the chap said the parts can't be had for love nor money, which struck me as strange. Hence my detective work on this forum to try to give him a steer towards a solution.

Btw, I have just returned from working as an Engineer for eighteen months in the Naval Dockyard in Plymouth, renting a cottage in a tiny village near Ivybridge. While my Panda doesn't fill me with joy on the motorway, there is no other car I would consider for those tiny West Country lanes, and the way it took on last winters floods was amazing.

Thanks,

In that case the bearing and carrier is readily available on AUTODOC for between £10 and £40. I believe the imperium one is OEM at £41.24

 

[Brian j]

Hey, check out ORIGINAL IMPERIUM Propshaft bearing in the AUTODOC app https://m.autodoc.co.uk/original-imperium/9393476

 

[Chris Glass]

Thanks Brian, will do.