Hi all,

We've have some work done on our GP at the local garage (not Fiat)

They've fitted a new power steering unit and map sensor as the car was light on steering, pulling left and because of it failed its MOT.
We had known about the issue for some time but put off repair till necessary.

The possible issue we have is that the steering feels heavy, the garage say that its only because we were so used to the lightness before it feels this way but we've had the car for nearly 7 years and we don't remember it being this heavy.
The City button works fine and with this on it feels something like before we had the issue.

When we now drive it it feels as though the tyres are running 15 psi and its quite hard to turn the wheel round corners, is this normal for a Grande?

We haven't paid any money yet and i'm wondering if we should get a second opinion from another garage out the area or a local Fiat garage.

What are your thoughts on this, i don't want to upset garage folk but could with some insight.

The Grande has quite light steering, even on the sporting models. Something doesn't sound right.

Thanks does seem out of sorts.

We may get a second opinion and see what happens then, I'd imagine the new part is under guarantee if we need to change.

Is it possible its something totally unrelated that may cause this?

You should first check with some other GP owners.
Whenever you see someone with a GP in a parking lot just go up to them and ask them. I'm sure most people would not mind.

Also: have you done a geometry alignment??? ( Do NOT assume the garage did it).

I wouldn't worry..
my old power steering was very light but was regularly prone to failing and going very heavy (un powered)
My refurbished unit seemed heavier than the old one at first but now it seems normal (probably because I've got used to it) - but at least it works 100% of the time.

where in the mot manual does it say light steering is a fail and what has the map sensor got to do with it?

this smells fishy :chin:

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s02000001.htm

@ aurick86 Yes geo all good, had it aligned on a Hunter as it was pulled badly to the left but was the steering unit all along.

@ Sporting Chris Thanks, could well be the case but we've had the car for 6 nearly 7 years and it never seemed as heavy as this.

@ dave The map sensor was changed as we were having issues the a cold start, we had this issue before and they fitted a 3rd party sensor but this time they fitted a Fiat part as the other one failed, unrelated issue.
The steering was bad before, like driving in city x 50 with a bad pull left, it as picked up in the mot so we had it fixed.

Spoke to the garage today and there happy to exchange it for another under guarantee if it needs it, its going in monday for them to have a look.

Checked psi last night as well and all good.

Hi, just came upon this topic and seem to have exactly the same problem with my Panda 100hp. Did you manage to get it resolved and if so how?

Thanks,
Scott.