Hi, I have a 15 plate Fiat 500 with 17k miles on the clock, I have noticed a slight rattle/clunking noise on the drivers side when going over small bumps and potholes, the feel of the steering and the rest of the car is fine.
Looking online I'm seeing a lot said about top strut mounts? Does this sound about right? Had a look under both front wheels and the only difference that I was able to see was right at the top of the 'rod' there was a white plastic part missing from the drivers side.


Is this likely to be covered under warranty? And is the car safe to drive until I can get it to the dealer?
Thanks a lot, I'm not too clued up with cars!

Sounds like the drop link rod(you're looking at), wear and tear but only £10 for the part (non Fiat) plus fitting, okay to drive "normally" though rather early for a failure, but then this is Fiat quality parts.
Example of drop link and price
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-Lef...el:500&hash=item542c30ae85:g:hSQAAOSwJQdW9ClT

This is a very simple part to replace the issue being getting the old one off, though given your young age this maybe easier than it was for me, having to cut them off.

This is the same issue I've had with mine for the last few weeks and I've been told drop links. Still haven't got round to having them checked but on hols from work next week so hoping to have done then. Can't do much damage driving until fixed can it?

JNAnderson said:

This is the same issue I've had with mine for the last few weeks and I've been told drop links. Still haven't got round to having them checked but on hols from work next week so hoping to have done then. Can't do much damage driving until fixed can it?

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If it pops out/breaks then handling can be affected going round corners but is still driveable with care.

It's on my to do list also. Pretty sure it's drop links.

HE646876 said:

Is this likely to be covered under warranty? And is the car safe to drive until I can get it to the dealer?

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Yes, and yes.

It's likely either a wishbone, a top mount, or a drop link, but on a '15 plate car with 17k, Fiat should be meeting the cost of diagnosing and fixing this (especially if you're the first owner), unless they find obvious signs of impact damage. They'll likely only replace the side that's failed (best engineering practice is to replace these sort of components as a pair), so keep an eye out for the same thing happening later on the other side.

Just avoid extreme driving, and stop using it if it gets noticeably worse.

Once out of warranty, these parts are best replaced with good quality aftermarket equivalents, which are both cheaper and more durable. The job is straightforward so any mechanic could fit them. Taking a Fiat to a franchised dealer for an out-of-warranty suspension repair is a totally unnecessary way to empty your wallet.