(T) Sticky Steering

Hey all. This is my first post on this excellent site since i became a 2nd time Fiat owner in november, and i gotta say that i have already gleaned much info from this site.

Ever since i got my stilo in november just passed, i have been uncomfortable with the steering as it is nowhere neer as smooth as my 306 was, or any other car i have driven with power steering for that matter.
its hard to describe, but when driving at any speed, the pressure when turning the wheel suddenly increases and i have to put a little more effort into moving the wheel before it becomes 'unstuck'. also after turning left at a T junction for example, when turning the wheel back to the right to straighten up needs an unsticking kind of effort in turning the wheel. this is most noticable when making small course changes such as changing motorway lanes (I always have to have both hands on the wheel on motorways and dual carriages).

I took it to NWS in Keighley, west yorks and two of the mechanics drove it and couldnt find any fault.

So the big question has to be is this something that comes hand-in-hand with the EPAS and i just gotta get used to it, or do i have a problem with my stilo.

Stilo Dynamic 115 JTD 02 plate. 56k blue (currently brown)

I'd get it to a dealer to be checked out.

Yes there's something wrong as a Stilo shouldn't do that, they're very steady on the steering although they like to follow camber on occasions.

But maybe the good news is I had exactly your symptoms when i first bought my Stilo at 36k and thought exactly the same
"Is this what Stilo driving is going to be like?"
I needed to watch it every step of the way and constantly correct the steering. It also had that easy- then heavy- then suddenly there it goes steering feeling. Mine was a track rod end and i'd be surprised if yours wasn't worn out at 56k miles too.

What you're feeling is, when you turn the steering you have just one wheel moving, then the slop in the steering catches up with the other wheel so it goes heavy, then that wheel suddenly flops out to take up the slack and you get a nasty kick in your Stilo's course. Quite a handful to drive

Seems to be the driver's side that goes first so jack it up and check for lateral play there, even better if someone can do the wheel waggling whilst you hold your gloved hand on the track rod end and you'll probably feel it knocking.

Hope so, as it's only around £10 for a new one from Fiat.

Don't forget to do your tracking afterwards. That'll be the more expensive part (unless you do it like i do then it doesn't cost a thing )

thanks for that mate, im so glad to hear someone has had the same problem and even gone through the same thought process as me.

i have about a fortnight left of a complimentry 3 month warranty with warranty 2000, but i need to convince a garage that there is a problem. like i mentioned in my first post, the car has been driven by a 2 mechanics from NWS who could not find a problem. any advice here?

jimmy

Yes, as above, jack it up and feel for play at the track rod end, particularly driver's side

Mechanics may not notice much on a short drive but a Stilo should feel very solid and sure footed at speed and not need constant corrections. You KNOW there's something wrong in the suspension or steering so it's just a case of finding where the wear is showing up.