This transformation kit is dedicated to all those who had the old Panda and regret the traction system!!!
In fact, the current Panda 4x4 has greatly grown in comfort and roominess, but surely has a traction system less effective than the progenitor.
It’s just by listening to the opinions of hunters, forest and simple enthusiasts that the technicians of Studio Prometheus have devised this joint.

Operation is very simple: a lever in the passenger compartment (behind the parking brake) allows you to choose between two types of traction:
or 4x4, that is front bridge and rear bridge rigidly connected, as in the old Panda and as in many specialized off-road vehicles.
or 4x2, traction only on the front deck: useful to reduce fuel consumption on surfaces with good grip

The kit consists of the joint and the lever: the joint is installed in place of the standard viscous one and the lever is fixed in the cockpit.

The lever will then be covered with the standard tunnel, which requires a simple change by eliminating the housing of the rear cup holder. A small hole 10mm in diameter will be made on the body of the car to pass the control cables between the cockpit and the joint.

No further changes are necessary, as the entire system uses holes and supports already existing on the car. So the installation of this kit is perfectly reversible.

The coupling lever fits perfectly into the tunnel between the front seats

The PROMETEO coupling has been designed for off-road use of the Panda 4x4

The construction of the joint is particularly accurate, all the external components are made of stainless steel and the case is made of aluminum. The coupling flange with the drive shaft is treated by phosphating process.

These measures eliminate the problems of rust, typical of vehicles on difficult paths. The bearings used are of excellent brand (SKF), not Chinese production...

The joint is made of corrosion resistant materials suitable for the most demanding off-road applications

Operation under the vehicle to install the control cables is minimised

As mentioned, the installation does not require irreversible changes to the car. Despite being a simple operation, it was decided to entrust the installation of the joint only to professionals. Therefore this product can only be purchased and installed by mechanics.

Like all technical products Prometeo Meccanica the joint is built in Italy and guaranteed 2 years. However, we point out that incorrect use of the car off-road or improper use of the joint on surfaces with excellent adhesion can wear out the transmission components.

We guarantee our product, you guarantee us to use the car and not to abuse it beyond the limits of reasonable!

The Prometheus joint can only be used legally off-road!

The Prometheus joint can be installed exclusively on Panda 4x4 equipped with the standard viscous joint, that is those built until June 2008!

Advantages and defects of the Mechanical Coupling

Advantages:

• Greater drive of the car
• Guarantee to have 4 wheels always in grip even downhill
• In 4x2 mode decrease in friction and consumption

Defects:

• As the coupling control is not synchronized, it is possible to fix the lever when the vehicle is stationary. It is therefore advisable to insert the vehicle in a light motion
• 4x4 traction is recommended for use only on low grip surfaces.
• Noise: the Prometeo coupling highlights more clearly a noise problem derived from the transmission shaft of the Panda 4x4; it is not a defect of our coupling, but a problem of the transmission congenital in the Panda 4x4

The problem arises from the coupling of the gears inside the gearbox. When the engine is asked for maximum performance starting from low revs (1200-1500rpm) this starts to vibrate; these vibrations end up on the gearbox and then move on the shaft.

In technical jargon this phenomenon is called "rat". In the presence of a viscous joint this vibration is partly absorbed by the joint itself, while in the presence of our coupling in position 4x2 the shaft remains free to resound.

Such vibration is not actually harmful, but it can be annoying. However, we must point out that it occurs only at low revs when putting the engine under strain.

Generally it is more likely in diesel than gasoline and in particular is present if the car already has a fairly high degree of wear.