oil FIAT 500 1958 1.G Service Manual

although these do not affect the service procedures that
have been previously described.
6:12 Fault diagnosis
(a) Noisy transmission
1 Excessive backlash of gears in mesh due to gear wear
2 Gears, bearings or gear bushings damaged
3 Shafts misaligned or out of centre due to loose mount-
ing nuts
4 Dirt or metal chips in the lubricant
5 Insufficient oil level in transmission case
(b) Transmission jumps out of gear or gear
shifting is irregular
1 Improper shifting
2 Gear shift lever mounting bracket out of adjustment
3 Incorrect assembly or damage of striker rod positioning
balls and springs
4 Striker rod rollers worn or assembled incorrectly
(c) Oil leakage
1 Overfilled transmission case2 Front extension, upper cover and clutch housing nutsloose
3 Speed selector and engagement lever seal at front
extension damaged
4 Faulty bellhousing gasket
5 Gaskets, upper cover-to-case, front extension-to-case,
damaged
6 Damaged axle shaft boot or seal
(d) Transmission shifts hard
1 Defective link of gear shift lever to internal front lever
2 Internal front lever rubber bushing and plates damaged
3 Speed selector and engagement lever control rod
twisted
4 Control rod-to-speed selector and engagement lever
joint damaged
5 Speed selector and engagement lever worn
6 Striker rods binding in casing
7 Sliding sleeves and gears bound in their seats due to
the presence of dirt in splines
8 Improper quality of transmission lubricant
9 Misadjusted clutch linkage and clutch make de-
clutching impossible
78

CHAPTER 7
REAR SUSPENSION AND WHEELS
7:1
7:2
7:3
7:4Description
Removal of rear suspension assembly
Servicing swinging arms
Coil springs
7:1 Description
The rear wheels are independently sprung by means of
coil springs and V-shaped swinging arms acting on coil
springs and telescopic double acting hydraulic shock
absorbers. The swinging arms are m o u n t e d at their inner
ends on 'estendblocks', the coil spring is fitted at the outer
end of the swinging arm. At the wheel end of the suspen-
sion arm is attached a steel pressing to which the brake
backplate and wheel bearing housing are bolted so
forming a swinging unit to which is attached the road
wheel.
The inner pivots are so located vertical wheel move-
ments do not influence the drive shaft length which
means that there is no need to fit a splined joint at the
wheel end. Two taper roller bearings which are separated
by a specially designed collapsible spacer are located in
the rear wheel bearing housing and this carries the axle
shaft. The outer end of the axle shaft is flanged and it
is to this flange that the brake drum is bolted. The splined
inner end carries a rubber cushioned coupling to which
the drive shaft flange is attached.
7 : 2 Removal of rear suspension assembly
1 Jack-up the vehicle and place on firmly based stands.
Remove the road wheel on the side from which the
suspension unit is to be removed.
F50079 7:5
7:6
7:7
7:8Installation of rear suspension assembly
Checking and adjusting rear wheel toe-in
Modifications
Fault diagnosis
2 Using a garage hydraulic jack support the swinging
arm to facilitate the removal of the upper shock
absorber mounting nut which is located inside the
vehicle on the floor. To gain access to the nut remove
the rear wheel housing linings.
3 Unhook the parking brake shoe control lever return
spring.
4 Remove the three screws securing the drive shaft
flange to the flexible coupling. Pull back the sleeve and
remove the inner spring.
5 Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap, remove the filter
and plug the delivery hole in the brake f l u i d reservoir
and disconnect the flexible brake pipe from the
bracket on the body floor.
6 Disconnect the parking brake control tie rod by first
removing the cotter pin and removing the cable eye
from the pin on the shoe control lever. Release the
cable adjustment nuts and free the cable from the
fairlead on the swinging arm.
7 Using the hydraulic jack carefully lower the swinging
arm, fully retract the shock absorber by pushing in the
outer cylinder and carefully pull out the coil spring
together with its mounting rubber rings.
8 Remove the self-locking nut securing the swinging
arm to the internal support welded on the floor.
Extract the mounting pin and note the number and
arrangement of shims between the bushings and the
bracket. This will facilitate reassembly.

FIG 7 : 1 Rear suspension assembly
Key to Fig 7 : 1 1 Brake shoe control cable and sheath 2 Coil spring 3 Oil boot 4 Axle shaft 5 Bumper
6 Flexible joint 7 Swinging arm 8 Cable adjusting nut 9 Swinging arm-to-front bracket mounting pin
10 Swinging arm front bracket-to-underbody mounting screw 11 Engine front support crossmember 12 Swinging arm
rear self-locking nut 13 Shock absorber-to-swinging arm lower nut 14 Sleeve screws 15 Axle shaft-to-flexible joint sleeve
9 Remove the three swinging external support fixing
bolts securing the outer suspension arm bracket to the
vehicle floor and remove the rear suspension assembly.
Remove the special rubber pad located between the
support bracket and the vehicle floor.
7 : 3 Servicing swing arms
Dismantling:
1 Remove the cotter pin and release the nut fixing the
flexible joint to the wheel shaft. Remove the plain
washer and the joint.
2 Using Fiat tool A.40005.1.9 or a universal two-leg
puller, remove the wheel shaft and brake drum.
Extract the t w o oil seals and both the outer and inner
bearing inner rings, thrust ring of the joint and the
resilient spacer.
3 Using Fiat tool A.6511, remove the t w o bearing outer
rings.
4 Disconnect the brake hydraulic line at the wheel
cylinder and remove the swinging external support.
The bearing housing and brake housing flange may
then be removed.
Inspection :
Thoroughly clean all the parts and install the swinging
arm on Fiat fixture A.66064 as shown in FIG 7 : 4. If the
80
swinging arm has not been distorted its installation on the
fixture should be straightforward. Tighten the clamp
screws 1 (see FIG 7 : 3) on the road wheel brake drum,
connect the swinging arm inner member to the seating
2 on the fixture and finally fit the swinging arm external
support holes on the fixture pins 3. Should difficulty be
experienced in either one of these three operations then
this is an indication that the swinging arm is distorted and
should be straightened or a new assembly fitted. If this
check is satisfactory proceed as follows:
1 Check that the 'estendblocks' are a snug fit in their
respective seatings in the swinging arm and that the
mounting pin slides in freely w it h ou t excessive play.
To renew the 'estendblocks' use Fiat tool A.66056
which is suitable for both their removal and installation.
2 Check that the inner and outer bearing outer rings have
no play in their seatings and that the rollers and cages
are not broken, cracked, show signs of overheating
or are worn.
3 Ensure t h a t the o i l seals f i t snugly on the wheel shaft,
also on the joint spacer or shoulder ring and on the
hub seats. If the oil seals should show any signs of wear
then these should be renewed.
4 Inspect the resilient spacer for signs of hair line cracks,
which if not evident the spacer may be used again as
it is not permanently distorted during assembly.
Should, however, new bearings or bearing housings
be fitted it is considered good practice to fit a new
spacer.

FIG 7 : 3 Fixture A.66064, for swinging arm inspection
and adjustment
Key to Fig 7 : 3 1 Clamp screws, securing wheel shaft on
fixture 2 Alignment bracket, swinging arm member check-up
3 Nut, to secure swinging arm external support on fixture stud
4 Swinging arm external support centring pins
AB C
D
FIG 7 : 4 Adjusting right rear suspension swinging arm
on fixture A.66064
Key to Fig 7 : 4 A and B Swinging arm external support
adjustment shims C and D Swinging arm internal support
adjustment shims
torque wrench setting of 43.4 Ib/ft.
3 During assembly the bearings must be packed w i t h
Fiat MR grease, taking care not to overpack as this
can result in early bearing failure.
82
4 If the axle shaft to flexible joint tie sleeve has been
removed, the mating splines must be coated w i t h Fiat
B2G grease on re-installation.
5 Preload the wheel bearings and adjust the swinging
arm as described later on in this section.
Wheel bearing adjustment:
To ensure a long bearing life due to correct initial
adjustment the ballbearings should be preloaded and to
do this proceed as follows:
1 Tighten the wheel shaft nut gradually so that the
rotation torque does not exceed .36 Ib/ft.
2 To check the rotation torque install Fiat tool A.95697/2
on the wheel drum and insert the shank 2 (see FIG
7:5) of dynomometer A.95697 in the support and
securely hold the lever 3. Move the needle 5 to register
.36 Ib/ft on the dynomometer scale as shown in FIG
7:5 and using the operating lever 6 rotate the dyno-
mometer and the wheel shaft some turns in a clockwise
direction. During rotation check that the needle 5 does
not exceed the setting index 4. Should the rotation
torque prove to exceed .36 Ib/ft, this will indicate a
4
3
1
6
5 2
FIG 7 : 5 Bearing rotation torque dynamometer
KeytoFig7:5 1 Dynamometer A.95697 2 Dynamometer
shank to insert in item A.95697/2, fitted to wheel drum
3 Dynamometer grip lever 4 Rotation torque setting index
5 Adjustable needle 6 Dynamometer operating lever
Oil Sump Wheel Plane
HALF TRACK
FIG 7 : 6 Position of rear suspension and of vehicle for
rear wheel toe-in inspection and adjustment
Key to Fig 7:6 ~ 168 mm = 6.61 inch
567,5 ±1,5= 22.342 inch ± .059 inch

high bearing preload. To reset remove the wheel shaft
and fit a new resilient spacer. Repeat the rotation
torque test.
Swinging arm adjustment:
To adjust the swinging arm use Fiat fixture A.66064 as
shown in FIG 7 : 3 and proceed as follows:
1 At points A and B as indicated in FIG 7 : 4 between the
'estendblock' and the swinging arm to body front
mounting bracket fit three shims on each side. To
ensure that the shims are correctly centred use Fiat
alignment bar A.66057.
2 Whilst removing the alignment bar, carefully slip in the
mounting pin and screw on the nut. Once the rear
wheel geometry adjustment has been completed this
nut should be tightened to a torque wrench setting
of 43.4 to 50.6 Ib ft.
3 At points C and D (see FIG 7 : 4) , insert the number of
shims required to fill in the gap between the 'estend-
block' and the two fixture shoulders. Having deter-
mined the number of shims required both at locations
C and D, these must later be fitted between the
'estendblock' and the shoulders on the swinging arm
to body mounting bracket.
7 : 4 Coil springs
The coil springs should be thoroughly cleaned and all
traces of rust removed. Inspect the spring coils for hair
line cracks, which if evident, a new pair of springs must
be fitted to ensure correct vehicle height and stability.
Check the free
height and the height under loading of
the coil springs and these must correspond to the figures
quoted in Technical Data.
7:5 Installation of rear suspension assembly
To replace the rear suspension assembly proceed as
follows:
1 Insert the swinging arm inner end in the mounting
bracket which is welded onto the body floor. Place
between the 'estendblock' and bracket the number of
adjustment shims as previously determined using Fiat
fixture A.66064 as shown in FIG 7 : 4. Insert the Fiat
alignment bar A.66057 through 'estendblock' and
shims, aligning them with the holes in the mounting
bracket. Firmly hold the entire assembly using a garage
hydraulic jack if necessary, and carefully remove the
alignment bar and at the same time ease in t h e
mounting pin. Secure the nut which once the rear
wheels geometry has been checked must be tightened
to a torque wrench setting of 43.4 to 50.6 Ib/ft.
2 Screw in finger tight the three swinging arm external
bracket to body floor mounting screws together w i t h
the plain and spring washers. The screws will have to
be tightened to a torque wrench setting of 28.9 to
36.2 Ib/ft once the rear wheel geometry has been
adjusted.
3 Carefully insert the coil spring, lower insulator ring
onto the swinging arm, insert the spring on the shock
absorber which should be previously secured to the
arm and position the spring onto its seat on the arm.
Place the upper insulator ring onto the spring, raise the
suspension assembly using a garage hydraulic jack and
insert the spring onto its seating under the body floor.
F50083 4 Ensure that the shock absorber to floor rubber ring has
been correctly fitted and extend the shock absorber
until its upper mounting pin protrudes into the vehicle
through the hump in the floor panel. Secure the shock
absorber by its mounting nut and lockwasher having
first inserted the rubber ring and plain washer.
5 Refit the rear wheel housing in place, reconnect the
brake line to the connection on body floor and remove
the plug from the output hole in the brake fluid
reservoir. Bleed the hydraulic brake system as
described in Chapter 10.
Key to Fig 7:8 k Distance of centre rear bracket, for
jacking up the vehicle, from floor level (8.90 inch)
Half-track = 22.264 inch ±.059 inch
FIG 7 : 8 Position of rear suspension f o r rear wheel
toe-in inspection and adjustment ('500 Station Wagon') FIG 7 : 7 Adjusting rear wheel toe-in angle
Key to Fig 7 : 7 Rear wheel plane must be perpendicular to
ground and parallel to car longitudinal centerline with a
tolerance of 0° 10'
To adjust rear wheel geometry, move suitably the swinging arm
outer support. Slight movements are permitted by the play
existing between the support holes A and the mounting screws.
Screws B must be tightened to 28.9 to 36.2 Ibft (4000 to 5000
kg mm). Nuts C must be tightened to 43.4 to 50.6 Ib ft (6000
to 7000 kgmm), after adjustment has been carried out. (These
directions and specifications are also applicable to 500 Station
Wagon).

FIG 7:9 Adjusting rear wheel toe-in on '500 StationWagon'
FIG 7:10 Checking left rear wheel toe-in
84
6 Insert the inner spring between the axle shaft and the
wheel shaft and couple the spline sleeve to the joint
and tighten the screws to a torque wrench setting of
20.3 Ib/ft.
7 Reconnect the parking brake tie rod and adjust the
position of the cable using the two stretchers.
8 Refit the wheels and draw up the mounting screws to
a torque wrench setting of 32.5 to 39.8 Ib/ft. Carefully
lower the vehicle to the floor.
7 :6 Checking and adjusting rear wheel toe-in
This check should be carried out by a Fiat agent as
special setting equipment is necessary. However, details
of this check are given for reference purposes:
To check and adjust the rear wheel geometry proceed
as follows:
1 Place the vehicle on firmly based stands and remove
the front and rear wheels.
2 Install Fiat fixtures A.66062 as shown in FIG 7:12 to
enable correct spring compression and wheel location
in the vertical position.
3 Lift the rear suspensions by compressing the coil
springs and shock absorbers using garage hydraulic
jacks. Screw on the fixture lower shank until the
index registers with the mark 'Nuova 500' stamped on
the bracket. In this position the wheel plane is vertical
and the centre O (see FIG 7 : 6) of wheel shaft results
at 5.00 inch from the buffer stop bracket.
4 Secure Fiat support C.696/3 to the wheel drum and
connect gauge C.696 to the support. Tighten the two
clamping screws as shown in FIG 7:12.
5 Apply at the front of Fiat gauge C.696 bracket
numbered C.696/3 as shown in FIG 7:11.
6 Check that the pin mounted on the front end of the
bracket C.696/3 is in touch with the front suspension
swinging arm pin (see FIG 7:11). If these conditions
are not complied with, proceed with item 7.
Wheel toe-in angle
will vary by 0° 10' under
a movement of some 7/32 inch measured at 72.476 inch
from wheel centre for Model 500D, and at 76.413 inch
from wheel centre for 500 Station Wagon NOTE - - that the toe-in angle
Key to Fig 7 : 9 A Front support B Screw holes for
fixing support to underbody C Swinging arm pin nuts

A tolerance of —10'.+ 15' is permitted providing
that the value is the same for both rear wheels. It is
important that both rear wheels are set to the same
angle otherwise uneven tyre wear and adverse handl-
ing conditions will result. When the wheel is parallel to
the centre line of the vehicle the pin of bracket
C.696/3 will be .216 inch apart from the pin of the
front suspension swinging arm.
7 Release the swinging arm outer support to body
mounting screws and position arm in such a way as to
obtain the condition as described in Number 6 above.
After the adjustment has been completed tighten
the outer support mounting screws to a torque wrench
setting of 28.9 to 36.2 Ib/ft. Also tighten the two
swinging arm pin nuts C (see FIG 7 : 7) to a torque
wrench setting of 43.4 to 50.6 Ib/ft. Take off the gauge
C.696 w i t h bracket and support C.696/3, and repeat
the check and adjustment operations on the other
wheel. Care must be taken to ensure that bracket
C.696/3 is reversed from the position previously used.
New 500 type 500D, 110F and 110L sedan and
station wagon:
After the rear suspension has been replaced, check
and, if necessary adjust the rear wheel geometry.
1 Inflate the tyres to the normal operating pressures.
2 Lower the car body so that the rear wheels are set at
90 deg. to the floor. This condition is obtained when
the lowermost portion of the sump is 6.61 inches from
the floor level for the new 500D model or the centre
rear bracket for jacking up the rear of t h e vehicle
8.9 inches from the floor level for the 500 Station
Wagon.
3 With the vehicle set to the above conditions check the
wheel geometry. The wheel plane must converge w i t h
the centre line of the vehicle by an angle of 0 deg. 10'
(—10', +15') toeing in at the front.
4 The wheel plane must be 22.343 ± .059 inches from
the centre line of the vehicle for the 500D model.
Whereas for the 500 Station Wagon the distance must
be 22.264 ± .059 inches.
5 To adjust the rear wheel toe-in adjust the positions of
the mounting screws A and B as shown in FIG 7:7.
86
7:7 Modifications
The new 500 Sedan (110F) and late 500 Station
Wagon are fitted with modified wheels side flexible
joints and rear control arm as shown in FIG 7:13.
Together w i t h these modifications a new design rear
coil spring has been fitted details of which are given in
Technical Data.
7 : 8 Fault diagnosis
(a) Irregular or abnormal tyre wear
1 Incorrect tyre pressure
2 Wheels out of balance
3 Wheels off centre
4 Misadjusted brakes
5 Weak or broken coil springs
6 Excessive load
7 Incorrect wheel alignment
(b) Sag on one wheel
1 Incorrect tyre pressure
2 Weak or broken coil spring
3 Wear of shock absorber causing poor dampening
action
(c) Squeaks, thumps or rattles
1 Wheels out of balance
2 Wheels off centre
3 Misadjusted brakes
4 Weak or broken coil springs or spring seats dislodged
5 Wear of shock absorbers causing poor dampening
action
6 Worn rubber bushings in control arms
7 Poor lubrication of wheel bearings
(d) Pull to one side
1 Incorrect tyre pressure
2 Misadjusted brakes
3 Distorted suspension arm

2 Check that the surface of the pin that is in contact with
the camber and castor adjuster shims does not show
any signs of indentation or roughness which could
affect the accuracy of adjustment on reassembly. If
there are any signs of rust or small markings these
should be smoothed out using a file.
3 Inspect the condition of the half arm bushes, the inner
surface of which must not show signs of seizure and
the clearance of the bush to pin must not be greater
than .01 57 inch. Upon initial assembly the fit clearance
is .00059 to .0059 inch. Ensure t h a t the rubber parts
of the bush are not torn, cracked or show signs of
weakness which, if evident, must be renewed.
4 Use Fiat tool A.66058 or a suitably sized drift for
refitting the rubber bushes into the swinging arms.
Upon reassembly it should be observed that the
tightening of the two swinging arms m o u n t i n g nuts 5
(see FIG 8 : 3) , must be carried out whilst keeping
the axis of the swinging arm and the pin hole for the
screws 7 on the same plane otherwise distortion can
occur.
8 : 5 Kingpin housing
1 To remove and replace the 'estendblocks' use Fiat
tool A.66056 as shown in FIG 8 : 8. Ensure t h a t the
'estendblocks' is not worn and that there are no signs
of seizure on its inner surface, or that the rubber has
hardened. Renew if necessary.
2 Check that the kingpin to bush clearance is not
greater than .0079 inch. The clearance when fitted
new is .00063 to .00213 inch. If the clearance is
excessive the t w o bushes must be renewed and also
the kingpin if excessive wear is evident. To remove and
refit the kingpin bushes use Fiat tool A.66016 and
after reassembly the bushes must be accurately
refaced using a reamer set to a diameter of .5912 to
.5922 inch. If considered necessary use Fiat Fixture
C.1004 to check that the kingpin housing has not been
distorted which, if evident, the housing must be
renewed.
3 Whilst the kingpin assembly is being inspected ensure
that the lubrication hole is free to allow the passage of
oil.
4 To prevent incorrect loading of the 'estendblocks' that
is press fitted into the kingpin housing, the housing
to swinging arm pin nut must be tightened with the
parts so arranged that the angle between the swinging
arm plane and the housing axis is approximately
95 deg. as shown in FIG 8:14.
8:6 Steering knuckle and wheel hub
Dismantling:
1 To remove the wheel hub cap use Fiat puller A.46023
as shown in FIG 8 : 9 .
2 Using a universal t w o leg puller or Fiat puller A.40005
together with items 1 and 9 remove the wheel hub/
drum assembly having first extracted the splitpin and
released the hub retaining nut (see FIG 8:10). Later
models have a staked nut w i t h no splitpin. The nut
should be freed with a punch and discarded.
3 Remove the outer roller bearing, the oil seal and the
inner roller bearing outer race from the drum and pull
out the steering knuckle inner roller bearing inner ring
using Fiat puller A.46000
F500PULLER
A.46023
FIG 8 : 9 Removing right front wheel hub cap by
remover A.46023
UNIVERSAL PULLER A. 40005/
FIG 8:10 Removing left front wheel brake drum by
puller A.40005
4 Release the t w o brake to steering knuckle mounting
nuts and remove the complete brake housing flange.
5 To remove the steering knuckle from the kingpin
housing, remove the 'estendblock' from the kingpin
housing using Fiat drift A.66056 or a suitably sized
drift as shown in FIG 8 : 8.
6 Using a suitably sized punch drive the lockpin from the
kingpin, remove the lower plug and slide off the
kingpin. The steering knuckle is then disengaged
together with the snap ring, two thrust washers and a
shoulder ring.
Inspection:
Thoroughly clean all parts and dry using a compressed
air jet and to inspect proceed as follows:
1 Check that the steering knuckle and steering arm show
91

8 : 7 Hydraulic damper:
Description:
The front and rear shock absorbers are of the telescopic
double acting type. Their dampening action takes place
directly on the suspension without the use of any
intermediate linkage. The shock absorber comprises a
cylindrical body formed by to coaxial tubes 14 and 15
(see FIG 8:11), the inner tube acting as the working
cylinder and the outer one as a casing. The fluid reservoir
being located between the two sections. A third outer
cylinder 13 shields the rod 2 from any road dirt.
On the top the cylinder body is enclosed by a bush 1 1 ,
oil seals 5 and 9 and a housing 4. The rod 2 slides through
the seals 5, the upper end is fixed into the vehicle body
floor and its lower end carries the piston 22 on which
rebound 26 and inlet valves 21 are arranged.
The bottom of the shock absorber is closed by a plug
35 with a threaded shank 36 for the shock absorber to be
mounted onto the suspension unit. The cylinder 15 and
carrier plug 32 is mounted with a compensation valve
30 and a compression valve 33. The piston is provided
with two rows of orifices. The internal row is blanked
underneath by the rebound valve which operates
downwards. The external row is blanked by the inlet
valve which opens upwards. Hydraulic shock absorbers
fitted since March 1959 are provided w i t h a vapour
pocket bleeder from the cylinder exterior. The bleeder
device comprises a capillary
hole 12 interconnecting the
inner cylinder 15 with the upper chamber 10 and also a
passage tube 16 from the upper chamber to the fluid
reservoir. Any vapour pockets in the pressure cylinder
are excluded past the capillary hole 12 into the chamber
10 from which they flow downwards during shock
absorber operation through the passage 16 in a light
fluid stream and up to the top of the reservoir with the
reservoir fluid.
Dismantling and inspection:
Normally during service if a shock absorber becomes
weak in operation then a new unit should be fitted.
Should however, it be necessary for the original unit to
be overhauled proceed as follows:
1 Thoroughly clean the outer casing in petrol and blow
dry using a compressed air jet.
2 Firmly clamp the lower shank of the shock absorber
in a vice and telescope upwards the outer casing and
using Fiat wrench A.56024 unscrew the upper
threaded ring 3 (see FIG 8:11).
3 Remove the shock absorber from the vice and carefully
remove the inner cylinder 15 using a screwdriver
inserted in the cylinder bottom chamfer and remove
the lower plug 32 which carries the compression and
compensation valves.
4 Push the rod i n t o the cylinder 15 and clamp the upper
shank in a vice. Unscrew the plug 29, and carefully
remove the piston 22 together with the inlet and
rebound valves. Withdraw the rod 2 from the cylinder
15 and remove the seal gasket, the housing, and
threaded ring. Thoroughly wash all parts in petrol and
carefully blow dry using a c
ompressed air jet. The
following parts should be inspected as follows.
Check that the inlet, rebound and compensation valve
discs are not deformed or show signs of cracking.
F50093 Inspect the surfaces of the piston, the seal ring and the
compression valve to ensure that they are smooth and
hydraulic fluid tight. Check that the rebound and
compression valve springs and upper seal gasket
springs are not broken or weak. Carefully inspect the
t w o seal gaskets for damage or wear and it is recom-
mended that they are renewed upon reassembly.
Check that the rod and the cylinders show no sign of
deformation and that the air pocket evacuating
passage is not blocked. Also check that the capillary
hole 12 is not blocked. Any parts which show signs
of wear or damage must be renewed.
Reassembly:
Reassembly of the shock absorber is the reverse
procedure to dismantling. Special care must be taken
when refilling the shock absorber w i t h Fiat SA1 oil
otherwise its operating characteristics will be altered.
The hydraulic fluid capacity for the front shock
absorbers is .112 imperial quarts.
The hydraulic capacity for the rear shock absorbers is
.088 imperial quarts. Only Fiat—SA1 oil must be
used.
To insert the components into the shock absorber
body proceed as follows:
1 Mount the piston on the rod, and insert the piston and
rod assembly into the cylinder 15 (see FIG 8:11).
2 Push the piston against the bush 11 and then very
carefully pour the correct amount of hydraulic fluid
up to about j inch from the edge.
3 Press f i t t h e plug 32 and pour the remaining fluid into
the casing 14.
4 Insert the cylinder 15 into the casing 14 and tighten
the upper threaded ring 3.
8 :8 Front suspension assembly and installation
1 Attach Fiat fixture A.66061 to the springs as shown
in FIG 8:12 and load it using the centre screw on the
fixture until the index 'Nuova 500' appears below
the crossbeam lower edge. It is in this position the
spring attains the full static load setting as on the FIG 8:13 Installing right front wheel hub cap by tool
A.66059TOOL
A.66059

VERTICAL LINE DB
S
EB
OIL SUMPF
GF
FIG 8:16 Castor, camber angles
6 Insert the swinging arm pin onto the two studs that
are welded to the body sides so as to support the
front suspension and wheel assembly.
7 Reconnect the kingpin housing to the spring eye by
inserting the bolt and tightening the self-locking nut
to a torque wrench setting of 28.9 Ib/ft. It is important
that during this operation the spring is always kept
in the 'set' position by fixture A.66061 so as to
ensure correct assembly and prevent excessive strain
on the 'estendblocks'.
8 Slide off the swinging arm and insert the spacers and
shims S (see FIG 8:16) onto the studs ensuring
that the resulting thickness is the same as was found
during dismantling. Reattach the swinging arm.
Screw on the nuts securing the pin to the body and
tighten to a torque wrench setting of 28.9 Ib/ft.
9 Refit the shock absorber securing it to the kingpin
housing and to the body inserting the plain washer
between the rubber pad and the toothed washer.
10 Carefully remove Fiat fixture A.66061, connect the
steering rods, hydraulic brake pipes and refit wheels.
Remove the wooden plug from the brake fluid tank
inlet opening. Carefully raise the vehicle using a
garage hydraulic jack, remove the axle stands and
lower slowly to the ground.
11 When both left- and righthand suspension units have
been refitted to the vehicle the front end steering
geometry must be checked and adjusted.
8:9 Steering geometry
Checking of the front wheel geometry is necessary
95
F500
if either excessive tyre wear or irregular steering per-
formance is noticed or if the front suspension assembly
has been dismantled for repair. The values for the front
end setting under a normal static load normally con-
sidered to comprise four passengers should be as
follows:
Camber angle — 1 d e g . ± 20'
Castor angle — 9 deg.± 1 deg.
The camber angle shown in FIG 8:14 and the castor
angle shown in FIG 8 : 1 6 adjustments are performed by
inserting shims S (see FIG 8 : 1 6 ) between the swinging
arm pin and the spacers on the studs that are welded to
the body at points D and E (see FIG 8:16). Shims .0197
inch thick are supplied in service to enable the castor and
camber angles to be adjusted.
It is suggested that the castor and camber angles are
checked at the local agents as specialised equipment is
necessary for completion of these checks.
Adjustment of castor angle:
Slacken the t w o nuts securing the swinging arm pin
to the body and proceed as follows:
1 If the castor angle requires to be increased (see FIG
8:16) move the shims S from the rear screw E to the
front screw D.
2 If the castor angle requires to be reduced (see FIG
8:16) move the shims from the front screw D to the
rear screw E.
Adjustment of camber angle:
Slacken the t w o nuts securing the swinging arm pin DE
A
C