Technical Front o/s strut top mount bearing failed at 16,000 miles

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Technical Front o/s strut top mount bearing failed at 16,000 miles

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Feb. '09 75 Dynamic Dualogic - ate its front tyres in just under 11,000 miles, has a very temperamental attitude to selecting gears and now - as per title, the "o/s font strut top mount bearing" has failed at just under 16,000 miles.

It started as a knocking noise under the steering column last Friday and quickly worsened.

Checked yetserday and booked in for Friday for replacement, but now told the part is on back order and no real idea when it might be available!

Just to add - the car is driven so gently it is a joke - hubby is severely disabled so can't tolerate speed bumps, cornering etc - and we have never carried more than two adults, two under 7s and the weekly shop!

I don't want to worry hubby too much - can anyone say if it safe to drive with this "top mount bearing" failed?

Thanks in advance!
 
I had the same problem on my Citroen Nemo, which is in theory the same car.
Mine went at about 16k too, it seems to be a common problem because i had to wait for parts to.
 
Hi there - I did not know swmbo had posted this until now!

The diagnostic was done at Picadilly Fiat, Knaresborough - and we are still waiting for the parts.

We had to go down the A1M last Saturday from Wetherby to Castleford (20 miles?) and could not really go above 55 as the wobble from the steering was quite noticeable (at 70 it felt plain dangerous) and the car really did not like sterring to the left.

It noramlly just pootles about town, so had not noticed this before.

Will see what happens if and when they get the parts - but if you have any thoughts, please share!

Richard
 
Can you check with local Citroen and Peugeot dealers for the parts? Although it may still be under warranty, I'd rather have it fixed sooner than later.

Also, is the part unique to the Qubo and it's French sisters? As the three are based on the Grande Punto/Corsa platform, it may be worth looking into. And that may open up another avenue of supply for your parts.
 
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Good idea - unfortunatley, it is a "Motability" car so we are not allowed to take it anywhere but the managing dealer.

I am planning to ring them this week to see if they can/will make any exception or step in another way.

Will let you know what happens.....
 
Got the strut top mount fixed about three weeks ago - no knocking now, but the steering was pulling to the left at first afterwards but is now gradually sorting itself - presumably uneven tyre wear now "evening" up?

Only residual issue now is wheel vibration through the steering (not the seats) above 55 mph to about 65-70.

Nothing dramatic, but now the front pads need replacing - 80% worn, so maybe this could be causing the vibration. If not sorted by the new brakes, I will get balance checked.

Now the sliding doors are playing up - n/s keeps jamming open (3 times now) and been fixed twice, so new mechanism going on at the same time as the brakes.

O/s sliding door needs a new bottom track - it is badly corroded along its whole length; strange, as the o/s track is fine!

Cars - don'tcha love 'em!
 
I have same problem on my 09 Qubo dynamic (diesel)
o/s failed n/s failing owned from new and has eaten 5 sets of front tyres in 36k miles.
Fiat have denied a fault since it was new and its only today after it has been with-held by the garage and declared unroadworthy (by spectacularly failing its 1st MOT with complete front suspension collapse) that they are paying attention.
Fiat will recover the vehicle on weds as ATS don't do repairs this extensive.
Bill may come to as much as £1400 - Hope Fiat have some good-will somewhere??
Fiat have themselves suggested that it may need a different sub-frame and axle.
This vehicle has always pulled very hard to the left since new and tracking does not go far enough, letting go of the wheel for more than a second see's you in the ditch. Had to have minor cosmetic repair to front after local garage failed to control it on a rolling road and ran it into a ramp column for christs sake! - whilst trying to assess the fault :mad:
 
16.000 miles, ours went at 6.000, plus its going through front tyres like nothing on earth.
Although we like the car a great deal, i'm thinking of parting with it soon.
, there seems to be a problem with the front end of the car i.e. top mount bearing failure and heavy, uneven front tyre wear. These problems could be a real nightmare in the future, and Fait, although knowing about the faults dont seem to be doing much about them.

Ian.
 
The bearing to the top of the strut lets in water if you jet wash under arches.
I rusts siezes and the you get the spring jumpin on it seat when turning and manovering at slow speed. Its a latent defect me thinks, all manufactures have and ignore them until you get a good number doin a class act and stiring it up in the motor media:slayer:
 
Perhaps Fiat should think about the design of the part before some poor sod gets hurt, plus it seems to be that the replacement parts are not better.
Our first bearing went at 6.000 miles, and when I noticed the front tyres were done at 9.000 miles, the tyre fitter also told us the bearing was about ready to go again. I hasten to add the heavy tyre wear was only after the first bearing was changed. "YET" The fitter did say he could nind no fault in the geometry of the front end.

Ian
 
I've just had both bearings replaced on our Qubo today, after 31k miles and 3 years,which seems better than others.

It had it's first MOT last week, and I got a shock advisory on the offside one, thinking the bus would sail through as I've had no other problems with it. The noise got worse very quickly post MOT, and further investigation suggested the nearside one was also on it's way out.

Seems like a very common problem on Grande Punto's, Alfa Mito's ect. Not massively expensive (I was charged 3hrs labour plus parts, at around £30 a pop) to replace the bearings, but one would expect them to last a bit longer. The garage greased them up, and I'll just be careful not to jet wash under the wings now.

I would recommend getting them changed soon after you spot the noise (clunking/grinding turning from lock to lock at slow speeds), as they seem to get worse quite quickly.

The local garage had no problem sourcing replacements, but said only Fiat stock them.
 
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My Qubo was built in August of 2011 and I've not had any of these problems after nearly a year and 42500 Km//27000 miles of driving
 
They have been modified:confused: over a year ago infact.

Hi Fellow Qubist,

O.K., I will keep this short, and simple. Knocking from NS front suspension, confirmed top bearing failure. Lots of contact with Fiat, supported by my dealer, 'Platts of Stafford', (Quality). I dealt with Fiat Technical, and posed them questions as to the nature of this problem......

Result, Fiat agreed to replace the top mount bearing which had failed, PLUS also replacing the OS bearing which at this time was still good. I contributed to the cost, which means I get a unconditional 2 years warranty on both the parts, and the labour..........

For future sufferers of this problem.......Fiat are aware that this component was failing, will not admit it publicly, but as our friend here has said brought out a modified part, which should solve future problems.

Fiat call the Bearings.. 'Elastic Pad' (I know not why)....part Nos are 51928745 and 51928747, meaning the bearings must be sided.

Should you suffer from this problem, either in or out of warranty I recommend you contact Fiat direct, and push your dealer for help.....

I am well happy with the outcome, and intend to continue with this car for quite a while to come................

Take care, Qube O :D
 
Just keep an eye on your front tyres guys, after our bearings were changed we went through a set of front tyres in 3500 miles.
The car is a great design, but far too many owners are reporting this fault.
MAYBE ITS ABOUT TIME FIAT THOUGHT ABOUT A RECALL
We had the bearings changed at 6000 miles and offside was starting to click again at 9000 miles (so much for the new part)
Needless to say we lost all faith in the car and Fiat. Now we have a Kia Venga 1.4crdi, and to be VERY honest (well lets just say if any of you guys are thinking of changing car in the future give it a test drime).

cheers Ian
 
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