I mentioned in another thread that at 57,000 miles my 2018 4x4 Panda had a failed propshaft centre bearing support. I was asked to update here with my experiences of it being replaced.
For background, 12 months ago it was pointed out when the car was serviced (at The Fiat/Alfa Workshop in Royston, north Herts) that the rubber support ring that holds the propshaft centre bearing in place was starting to perish (although there was no mention of this on the MoT test done at the same time.)
With this year’s MoT approaching I gave the car a good check over, and was rather surprised to see that rubber support had completely fallen apart. (Surprised, because it was showing no symptoms of any propshaft issues: no knocking or other noises, no problems with driving, nothing at all to suggest I had a problem). This would have been an MoT failure.
Given various stories here about eBay-supplied propshafts causing issues with vibration etc, and the genuine Fiat part (made and supplied by GKN) costing north of £2,000) I opted to buy a brand new shaft from Des Shelley Shafts. Cost £275 all in, inc fast delivery, direct to the workshop. (For info/confirmation, the part is identical on both the 169 and 312 models, regular 4x4 or Cross, petrol or diesel engines . Over years the part number has changed but each new number supersedes the previous. Here: https://desshelleyshafts.com/produc...rand-new-55193595-55197051-55222107-55264146/)
Although I’m competent with many servicing jobs on cars, I didn’t really fancy trying to replace a propshaft by lying under the car on the drive (I know - others have done it, but I figured it would be just too uncomfortable). So I got the Fiat Workshop to do it for me, along with this year’s MoT. (BTW, the car’s only done 4,000 miles this year rather than my usual 12k as I’ve been having fun driving my new-to-me 2013 LR Defender too much instead! - another reason for surprise at the level of deterioration in 12 months).
Total job time for the shaft was 1.5 hours. No issues with the MoT (really there never should be on any car that’s regularly checked through the year) and the drive back to Stevenage felt exactly the same as the journey to Royston - no new noises, vibrations etc. But, now all properly supported again
Pleased with the outcome… and hoping the new shaft support lasts rather better than the original Fiat one.
Photos show the failed original support, then the new shaft from various angles.
For background, 12 months ago it was pointed out when the car was serviced (at The Fiat/Alfa Workshop in Royston, north Herts) that the rubber support ring that holds the propshaft centre bearing in place was starting to perish (although there was no mention of this on the MoT test done at the same time.)
With this year’s MoT approaching I gave the car a good check over, and was rather surprised to see that rubber support had completely fallen apart. (Surprised, because it was showing no symptoms of any propshaft issues: no knocking or other noises, no problems with driving, nothing at all to suggest I had a problem). This would have been an MoT failure.
Given various stories here about eBay-supplied propshafts causing issues with vibration etc, and the genuine Fiat part (made and supplied by GKN) costing north of £2,000) I opted to buy a brand new shaft from Des Shelley Shafts. Cost £275 all in, inc fast delivery, direct to the workshop. (For info/confirmation, the part is identical on both the 169 and 312 models, regular 4x4 or Cross, petrol or diesel engines . Over years the part number has changed but each new number supersedes the previous. Here: https://desshelleyshafts.com/produc...rand-new-55193595-55197051-55222107-55264146/)
Although I’m competent with many servicing jobs on cars, I didn’t really fancy trying to replace a propshaft by lying under the car on the drive (I know - others have done it, but I figured it would be just too uncomfortable). So I got the Fiat Workshop to do it for me, along with this year’s MoT. (BTW, the car’s only done 4,000 miles this year rather than my usual 12k as I’ve been having fun driving my new-to-me 2013 LR Defender too much instead! - another reason for surprise at the level of deterioration in 12 months).
Total job time for the shaft was 1.5 hours. No issues with the MoT (really there never should be on any car that’s regularly checked through the year) and the drive back to Stevenage felt exactly the same as the journey to Royston - no new noises, vibrations etc. But, now all properly supported again
Pleased with the outcome… and hoping the new shaft support lasts rather better than the original Fiat one.
Photos show the failed original support, then the new shaft from various angles.
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