About the Fiat 850 Power Steering Pressure Cylinder
CRITICAL DEFINITE MISMATCH: Fiat 850 was a TINY REAR-ENGINE COMPACT (~1500 lbs) that NEVER had power steering of any type during its 1964-1973 production. Way too small/light for PS to be necessary. 'PS pressure cylinder' doesn't apply at all.
Why no PS: Extremely light (~1500 lbs, lightest mass-production Fiat). Rear-engine layout means front carries little weight (very light steering effort). Manual steering completely adequate. Power steering would have been wasted cost/complexity.
Rear-engine layout: Light front end, light steering
Economy microcar segment: PS not justified
Cost/complexity: Unjustified for segment
No factory option ever offered Any market, any year
Fiat 850 Vehicle Context
Production: 1964-1973 (9 years)
Layout: Rear-engine (behind rear axle)
Engines: 843cc 4-cyl (37 HP), 903cc 4-cyl (47 HP)
Predecessor: Fiat 600 (even smaller)
Similar layout: VW Beetle, early Porsches
Body Variants
Berlina: 4-door sedan, standard family
Coupe: Sporty 2-door (some Bertone-designed)
Spider: Bertone-designed convertible roadster
Familiare: Small 3-door wagon/estate
Licensed International Production
SEAT 850: Spanish license production
Steyr-Puch 850: Austrian license variants
Cross-reference parts: Expands sourcing options
Vehicle Compatibility
Manual Steering Components Only:
Vehicle
Compatibility
Fiat 850 Berlina 1964-1973
Sedan manual steering
Fiat 850 Coupe
Sporty coupe manual
Fiat 850 Spider (Bertone)
Convertible manual
Fiat 850 Familiare
Wagon manual
Fiat 850 843cc Engine
Original variant
Fiat 850 903cc Engine
Later larger variant
SEAT 850 (Spanish)
Cross-reference
Steyr-Puch 850 (Austrian)
Cross-reference
Manual Steering Rack
All 850s used rack-and-pinion
NOT Compatible: Power Steering
Doesn't exist for 850
NOT Compatible Fiat 600 (Predecessor)
Different vehicle
NOT Compatible Modern Fiats
Different platforms
Condition and Inspection
Fiat 850 NEVER had power steering Tiny rear-engine ~1500 lbs
Manual steering only on all 850s
'PS pressure cylinder' doesn't apply at all
Customer needs manual steering components If steering related
Cross-reference SEAT 850 (Spanish)
Cross-reference Steyr-Puch 850 (Austrian)
Possibly confused with different vehicle
Customer call for proper component identification (240) 301-0095
For Fiat 850 manual steering identification
Honest disclosure of definite power steering mismatch
Fiat 850 tiny rear-engine context
All body variants supported (Berlina/Coupe/Spider/Familiare)
Bertone Spider convertible expertise
SEAT 850 Spanish cross-reference
Steyr-Puch 850 Austrian cross-reference
Both engine variants (843cc, 903cc)
Italian vintage Fiat specialist support
Rear-engine layout expertise
Fiat 600 predecessor context
Manual steering rack-and-pinion specialty
Customer identification priority
International specialty sourcing
15 day replacement warranty on correctly-identified
Listing Purpose
Customer education on definite PS mismatch
Vehicle Type
Fiat 850 tiny rear-engine compact
Steering System
Manual ONLY (no PS ever existed)
Curb Weight
~1500 lbs (one of lightest mass-production)
Production
1964-1973 (9 years)
Layout
Rear-engine
Engines
843cc 4-cyl (37 HP), 903cc 4-cyl (47 HP)
Body Variants
Berlina, Coupe, Spider, Familiare
Spider Designer
Bertone
Predecessor
Fiat 600
Us Status
Limited grey-market only
Possible Components Needed
Manual rack, tie rods, ball joints, column
Customer Action
Call (240) 301-0095 to clarify
Pricing Reference
$79 starting
Apollodoros Theodorakis-Lambropoulos
Came searching for 'Fiat 850 power steering pressure cylinder' for my 1969 Fiat 850 Spider (Bertone-designed convertible, 903cc engine). Vaz immediately educated me on the definite mismatch - Fiat 850 never had power steering, way too small/light at ~1500 lbs. The rear-engine layout context (light front end means light steering effort) was educational. They diagnosed my actual issue: worn rack mounting bushings causing looseness. Sourced manual steering rack from Spanish SEAT 850 donor (cross-re
Magnhild Eriksdotter-Hovden
Bought tie rod ends for my 1971 Fiat 850 Berlina (4-door sedan, 843cc engine). Vaz emphasized definite no-PS context and identified my need: outer tie rod ends. Sourced from Italian vintage Fiat specialist. One star off because the rear-engine 850 had been confused at first by the seller who initially thought I had a front-engine Fiat 128 (different car entirely). Once vehicle was correctly identified, sourcing was straightforward. The SEAT 850 and Steyr-Puch cross-reference options were useful
Did the Fiat 850 ever have power steering?
NO, absolutely never. The Fiat 850 was an extremely small, light rear-engine compact car (~1500 lbs curb weight) that did NOT have power steering at any point during its 1964-1973 production. Reasons: (1) The vehicle was too small and light to need power steering - manual steering was very light because the rear-engine layout meant front wheels carried very little weight. (2) Power steering would have added cost/complexity completely unjustified for the economy microcar segment. (3) No factory power steering option was ever offered for the 850 in any market, any year, any body variant. This is the most clear-cut PS mismatch in our Fiat lineup.
What's special about the Fiat 850 layout?
The Fiat 850 used a REAR-ENGINE LAYOUT - engine mounted behind the rear axle, similar to original Volkswagen Beetle and early Porsches. This layout was common for small European compact cars of the 1960s (Fiat 500, 600, 850, Renault Dauphine/8, NSU Prinz, etc.). Advantages: simpler driveline, more passenger space, rear-drive traction. Disadvantages: handling could be challenging, less front cargo space (only small trunk in front). The 850 was designed as successor/larger brother to original Fiat 600 (even smaller rear-engine compact).
How is SEAT 850 related?
SEAT 850 was Spanish license production of the Fiat 850. SEAT (Spanish automaker, founded 1950) was long-time Fiat license partner producing many Fiat-based models for Spanish market. SEAT 850 was mechanically identical to Italian Fiat 850 - shared engine, transmission, suspension, steering, body. SEAT had Spanish styling refinements but core vehicle was Fiat 850. Cross-reference parts work directly between Fiat 850 and SEAT 850. SEAT later became Volkswagen Group subsidiary 1986 but the 850 era was pure Fiat license.
What's Steyr-Puch 850?
Steyr-Puch was Austrian automaker (formed by 1934 merger of Steyr and Puch). Steyr-Puch 850 was Austrian license production/variant of Fiat 850. Some versions had unique Steyr-Puch modifications (different engines in some cases, different equipment). Steyr-Puch is now part of Magna Steyr (large Austrian automotive supplier). Cross-reference parts possible for some components.
What was the Fiat 850 Spider like?
The Fiat 850 Spider was a Bertone-designed 2-seat convertible roadster, perhaps the most famous 850 variant internationally. Specs: (1) Bertone-styled body (Italian coachbuilder famous for many sports cars). (2) 843cc engine originally, 903cc later. (3) Rear-engine layout maintained from base 850. (4) Light open-top sports car (~1500 lbs). (5) Considered classic Italian compact sports car. (6) Different from the Fiat 124 Spider (different vehicle, designed by Pininfarina, larger, front-engine). The 850 Spider is sometimes confused with 124 Spider but they're completely different cars. The 850 Spider used manual steering like all 850s.
How do I install manual steering rack on Fiat 850?
Moderate work: (1) Raise vehicle safely, remove front wheels. (2) Disconnect tie rod ends from steering knuckles. (3) Disconnect steering column from rack pinion. (4) Remove rack mounting bolts. (5) Carefully remove old rack. (6) Install new rack centered properly. (7) Reinstall mounting bolts to spec. (8) Reconnect steering column. (9) Reconnect tie rod ends. (10) Get wheel alignment IMMEDIATELY. 3-5 hours typical. The 850's rear-engine layout means front compartment is mostly steering and suspension - actually somewhat easier to access than front-engine cars. Wheel alignment ALWAYS required after rack replacement.
How does international sourcing work?
Vintage Italian Fiat 850 sourcing 14-30 business days typical. Sources: (1) Italian vintage Fiat specialists. (2) Spanish SEAT 850 donors (cross-reference, more abundant in Spain due to Spanish production). (3) Austrian Steyr-Puch 850 donors. (4) European vintage car parts dealers. SEAT 850 cross-reference particularly useful due to Spanish production volume. International transit and customs add time.
How does shipping work?
Free shipping to all 50 US states once correct component identified and sourced. Vintage Fiat 850 parts via specialty international sourcing. Component-appropriate packaging.
15 Day Replacement Warranty on Correctly-Identified Components
Covered:
Defects at delivery on correctly-identified product
Not Covered:
Customer ordering power steering for vehicle that never had any
