1958 FIAT 500 door lock

CHAPTER 12
THE BODYWORK
12:1
12:2
12:3
12:4
12:5
12:6
12:7Bodywork finish
Interior and chrome cleaning
Door trim and accessories
Door handles and locks
Removing regulator and door glass
Removing windshield glass
Removing rear side windows12:8
12:9
12:10
12:11
12:12
12:13
12:14Removing rear window glass
Front compartment lid
Engine compartment lid
Folding top
Sun roof
Seats
Interior heater
12:1 Bodywork finish
Large scale repairs to body panels are best left to
expert panel beaters. Even small dents can be tricky, as too
much hammering will stretch the metal and make things
worse instead of better. Filling minor dents and scratches
is probably the best method of restoring the surface. The
touching up of paintwork is well within the powers of
most car owners, particularly as self-spraying cans of
paint in the correct colours are now readily available. It
must be remembered, however, that paint changes colour
w i t h age and it is better to spray a whole wing rather than
try to touch up a small area.
Before spraying it is essential to remove all traces of
wax polish with white spirit. More drastic treatment is
required if silicone polishes have been applied. Use a
primer surfacer or paste stopper according to the amount
of filling required, and when it is dry, rub it down with
400 grade Wet or Dry paper until the surface is smooth
and flush with the surrounding area. Spend time on
getting the best finish as this will control the final effect.
Apply the retouching paint, keeping it wet in the centre
and light and dry round the edges. After a few hours of
drying, use a cutting compound to remove the dry spray
and finish with liquid polish.
F500127
12:2 Interior and chrome cleaning
The cloth upholstery of the seating and the rear
compartment lining must be regularly cleaned to ensure
long life and preserve its attractive appearance. Any dust
or dirt that is blown into the car will settle on the uphol-
stery and will tend to wear the cloth causing an unsightly
appearance. It is recommended that the dust is wiped off
using either a vacuum cleaner or a stiff brush. To remove
ordinary soiling of the upholstery cloth proceed as
follows:
1 Using luke warm water and a neutral soap and a piece
of clean cloth wipe over the upholstery in the direction
of the nap.
2 Repeat the operation using a clean damp cloth and
warm water but no soap.
3 Allow the upholstery cloth to dry, use a stiff brush
against the direction of the upholstery nap to restore
its original fluffy look.
To obtain best results, any stains must be removed as
soon as possible otherwise as time passes they will
become more difficult, if not impossible to remove.
Certain stains require specific solvents and the instruc-
tions must be strictly adhered to.

FIG 12:1 Detail of right door (early type). Upper arrow
points to vent wing lock handle. Lower arrow points to
window regulator handle
FIG 1 2 : 2 Sedan right side door (later type). Front-hinged.
Door latch is of the triple acting type. Later (pull-out) type
interior lock handles have an escutcheon which is levered
out by means of t w o screwdrivers to expose the handle
pivot pin and spring
Cleaning imitation leather:
To keep the imitation leather clean wash in luke warm
water and a neutral soap applied with a soft cloth. Wipe
clean with a clean moistened cloth with no trace of soap
and finally rub with a clean dry cloth until the original
lustre is restored.
128
Chrome plated parts:
To ensure long life from the chrome plated parts these
should be periodically washed using a cloth dampened
with petrol and dried with a soft cloth. Rub with a cloth
moistened in clean oil especially around the edges of the
components and finally rub using a clean dry cloth until
all traces of oil have been apparently removed.
Glass panels:
The glass panels must be cleaned w i t h a chamois
leather or rag. Take care that no abrasive material is
allowed to be rubbed onto the glass otherwise it will be
scratched.
12:3 Door trim and accessories
The rear-hinged doors have welded upper and lower
hinge halves being joined by a fulcrum pin to the other
half of the hinge which is welded onto the body. Upon
reassembly of a hinge the fulcrum pins must be fitted with
the ball head uppermost. With front-hinged doors the
hinge is bolted to the body pillar.
Check strap (earlier models):
To limit the door opening, a rubber check strap is fixed
by four self-tapping screws of which two are located on
the door and t w o on the body. When a check strap is being
fitted the following points should be noted:
1 Always use sealing compound on the check strap
mounting holes to ensure a moisture t i g h t j o i n t .
2 Insert the screws in the plates and in the strap.
3 Always place a washer on each screw between the
body and the check strap, and also the door and check
strap. Tighten the screws fully.
Weather strip:
A one-piece moulded weather strip is fitted to the door
aperture and fixed by a special adhesive. Should the
weather strip become detached or a new one requiring to
be fitted proceed as follows:
1 Remove the old weather strip as necessary and thor-
oughly clean the door opening flange with petrol,
remove any rust spots and touch in the paint work.
2 Clean the new weather strips of their preservative or
the original from road dirt using petrol and thoroughly
wipe
clean.
3 Apply a coat of adhesive using a brush to the side to be
attached to the body. Allow to dry for the recom-
mended period of time and position the weather strip
on the door opening flange ensuring that it is not
distorted. The joint should be on the bottom side of
the rear end of the door opening. Apply a heavy
pressure on the weather strip starting from the centre
and working towards the ends.
Two rubber lining strips are located on the door flange
and these should be attached using the same procedure
detailed above.
Ensure that the bonding of the rubber weather strips
to both the door opening flange and the door panel is
thoroughly dry before the door is closed, otherwise this
could be the cause of subsequent water ingress.

Inner panels:
Imitation leather-lined masonite trim panels are fitted
to all versions of the new 500' models. The panels are
secured in the housing below the door window by means
of four stiff clips located at the top and seven spring clips
located at the bottom equally spaced around the panel
border. The fasteners are located in holes in the door
framework inner flange. The door framework has a plate
which should be bent downwards onto the trim panel
once it has been installed. This will ensure correct seating
of the trim panel in the door housing.
When the door trim panel is being reassembled ensure
that the tarred felt pad is cemented correctly on the door
inner flange so that any water that may seep in through to
the door interior from the window rubber weather strips
may be kept away from the trim panel which would
otherwise cause distortion and rapid deterioration.
12:4 Door handles and locks
The doors are provided with locks which are operated
by handles either from inside or outside the vehicle.
Removal of the lock is a straightforward operation but
upon reassembly the following procedure should be
followed:
1 Mount the handle assembly from the outside and
insert the washer onto the stud. Screw in the nut several
turns to allow correct handle-to-lock mating on final
fitting.
2 Arrange the locking handle dog so that it is horizontally
positioned and tighten the mounting nut.
3 Mount the lock to the door panel and secure w i t h three
screws and washers.
4 Fit the plate w i t h the t w o rubber guide blocks fastening
by the t w o screws.
Striker plates are fitted with shim adjustment to the
door pillars and are secured by three screws.
12:5 Removing window regulator and door glass
Window regulator:
Description:
The window regulator unit is of the lever and gear
control type which transmits crank movement to the
lifting lever using high ratio gears. When the operating
handle is rotated it rotates a pinion mounted on its shaft
which is in mesh w i t h a gear on the hub of which is
mounted a second pinion that meshes with the lever
toothed sector (refer to FIG 1 2 : 3) . At the end of the lever
a pin fitting locates in a guide rail mounted on the
bottom of the glass. When the crank is rotated in one or
other direction the glass is either lifted or lowered.
Regulator removal:
1 Depress the door lining panel so that the crank key may
be located. Remove the key and the crank handle.
2 Using a wide blade screwdriver prise off the trim panel
by inserting the blade between the panel and the door
frame taking care not to scratch the door paint.
3 Remove the intermediate protection lining.
F500129
FIG 12:3 Lefthand side door window regulator, viewed
from car interior
FIG 12:4 Location of window regulator in lefthand side
door panel housing
4 Release the screws securing the window regulator
to the door. Carefully tilt the regulator so as to dis-
engage the lever pin from the guide on the bottom of
the glass and lift away the regulator assembly.
Regulator reassembly:
To ensure satisfactory regulator operation carefully
lubricate the gears and the lever pin guide and also
ensure that the glass slides freely in its channels. To

NUT AND JAM NUT FOR
ADJUSTING PIN FRICTION
FIG 12:5 Ventilation panel lower pivot
FIG 12:6 Removal of windshield glass. Simply press
out as shown
reassemble the regulator to the door is the reverse
procedure to dismantling. The following points should
however, be noted:
1 Before the lining is refitted to the door panel ensure
that the regulator operates correctly. Ensure t h a t the
glass moves up and down in its channels without
excessive efforts required on the crank handle.
2 Once the lining is glued into place ensure that it
adheres evenly on the door so that the window
regulator operation is not interfered with at a later date
due to the lining becoming detached.
130
FIG 12:7 Positioning the windshield after tilting wiperblades
Door window drop glass and weather strip :
Description:
The door windows are fitted with swivelling front glass
ventilators and a drop rear glass pane. The 'new 500'
convertible is equipped with stationary type window rear
glass which is secured to the door panel by means of t w o
brackets and screws together with spring washers and
nuts.
Removal of door glass:
To remove the door window drop glass proceed as
previously described for removing the regulator assembly,
and t h e n ease forward the front glass guide and then
carefully lift away the glass.
Reassembly:
1 Fit Fiat No. 16 clips equally spaced all along the door
window flange.
2 Install the glass runway by inserting it in the rear and
upper side of the window groove. The runway is
fastened in place by the spring clips.
3 Install the glass runway, complete with the fabric lining
and secure it to the regulator frame on the top side
using self-tapping screws and on the bottom side w i t h
the bracket, screw, plain washer and spring washer.
4 Secure the gear type window regulator to the door
panel using the three screws, three plain washers and
three toothed washers.
5 Refit the window rubber weather strips which are lined
with fabric on both inner faces that touch the glass
pane. Lock the weather strips in place w i t h the Fiat
clips.
6 Replace the metal joint cap.
7 Fit and correctly locate the drop glass complete with
lower rubber weather strip, metal channel and run
plate for sliding travel of window regulator arm.

8 Refit the intermediate protection lining ensuring that
it is properly located and well glued. Refit the door
lining panel, key and crank handle.
Door ventilator:
The door ventilator comprises the glass, weather strip
placed between the glass and chromium plated frame,
the chromium plated frame together with pin and bracket
for upper and lower hinging, frame control handle and
lining.
To remove the ventilator glass first drill the upper pivot
pin using a portable electric drill and release the nut and
locknut from the lower pivot bracket. Carefully lift away
the glass.
Reassembly:
To reassemble the ventilator glass proceed as follows:
1 Coat the outer edge of the glass on which the chrome
plated frame must be installed with a 50% solution of
petrol and oil to ensure that the glass can be easily
inserted into the frame.
2 Install the lock handle which is secured to the frame
by means of a screw sunk into the handle body and
t w o corrugated spring washers placed between the
frame and the handle.
3 Before installing the ventilator pane on the door panel
ensure that the metal channels in the front post flanges
at the pane base are firmly located in place and f i t the
rubber weather strip arranging it carefully in its
seating. The weather strip is secured by clips located
on the metal channels.
4 Refit the handle striker plate and secure it to the door
channel by means of t w o self-tapping screws.
5 Insert the lower ventilator swivel on the door panel to
welded bracket. Fit the spring and secure ventilator
assembly through the nut, locknut and plain washer so
that it can, be freely adjusted to any position without
undue effort (see FIG 12:5).
6 Fit the chrome cover on the lower ventilator swivel.
Refit the upper ventilator swivel in the door panel
brackets and clench it using a hammer and a suitably
sized drift against a firm metal block. This will ensure
correct ventilator movement.
FIG 12:8 Adapting windshield weatherstrip. Simply
pull the draw-cord
F500
131 RUBBER BUFFER-HOOD LID LINING
BUMPER
FIG 12:9 Front compartment lid lining and rubber
buffers
HOOD STAY SPRING HOOD STAY HOOD HINGE LOCKING NUTS-
FIG 12:10 Close-up view of hood lid hinge and stay
1 2 : 6 Removing windshield glass
Removal:
To remove the windshield glass carefully push from the
interior of the car against the glass and with the assistance
of a second operator carefully ease the glass away f r o m
the glass aperture as shown in FIG 12:6.
Refitting :
1 Fit the weather strip onto the glass.
2 Insert a draw cord completely around the weather strip
outer lip. Ensure t h a t the cord ends come to the centre
of the lower edge of the glass.
3 Press t h e windshield assembly against the body
opening from the outside as shown in FIG 1 2 : 7 and
then carefully pull the cord ends from the inside so the
overlap of the weatherstrip will locate over the body
opening lip (see FIG 12 : 8).
4 Carefully replace the rear view mirror bulb cable
between the weather strip lip and the body panel from

SEAT RUBBER PAD
SEAT ARTICULATION SUPPORT
SEAT MECHANISM
CONTROL LEVER
SEAT SLIDING GUIDE
SEAT FIXED GUIDE
FIG 12:11 Sedan front seat
42
3
1
FIG 12:12 Sedan rear seat w i t h removable cushion
Key to Fig 12:12 1 Striker plate for triple acting door latch
2 Seat cushion 3 Dowels (two) for seat cushion location
4 Seat back
t h e rear v i e w mirror to the side of the dashboard.
5 Using a special compound sealing gun inject sealer
between weather strip outer lip and body.
12:7 Removing rear side windows
The rear quarter glass panes are located to the body
using the weather strips. To remove the glass simply push
outwards ensuring that a second operator is ready to
catch the glass as the weather strip becomes detached
from the body.
To reassemble the glass pane proceed as directed for
refitting the front windshield. Finally seal as previously
described using sealing compound.
12:8 Removing rear window glass
The rear window glass is removed and replaced in the
same manner as described in Section 12:6 for the
132
FIG 12:13 Centre catch of Sedan and Station Wagon
folding top. Dotted lines show the folding top control
handle in open position removal and replacement of the windshield glass.
Ensure t h a t the weather strip inner groove is thoroughly
filled using correct sealing compound.
1 2 : 9 Front compartment lid
The front compartment lid is hinged at the centre w i t h
the lower half of the hinge welded to the body upper
crossmember. The hinge upper half is secured to the
lower half by nuts and washers which are screwed onto
the lid studs. The compartment lid is kept closed by a
catch as shown in FIG 1 2 : 9 with an additional safety
hook to avoid accidental opening.
The catch release mechanism is controlled by a handle
which is located under the lefthand side of the instrument
panel and connected to the lock by means of a bowden
cable. The cable is arranged inside the front compartment
and the inner wire passes through a bracket and secured
to the catch. A return spring is fitted onto the catch, the
latter pivoting on a locked pin.
A specially shaped weather strip is arranged on the
front and side flange of the front compartment opening.
To refit and renew the weather strip ensure that all the old
bonding compound is removed using a stiff brush.
Spread fresh adhesive to the body shell and carefully
locate and press home the weather strip.
Six rubber bumpers are press fitted into the body shell
and at both ends of the front compartment lid to ensure
correct location and freedom of rattles.
12:10 Engine compartment lid
The opening and closing movement of the lid is con-
trolled by a locking handle. The lid opens downwards and
pivots on two lower hinges. The hinge pin is welded onto
the lid and its socket is welded to the body rear lower
crossmember. To remove the engine compartment lid
proceed as follows:
1 Remove the number plate lamp cable terminal.
2 Unhook the check strap by manipulating the retaining
cross piece.
3 Release the righthand pin self-locking nut and exert
a slight pressure on the righthand side of the lid so
pushing it towards the left.
Reassembly is the reverse procedure to dismantling.