Mboyden said:

I think eath cable is the next step.
Oh what engine oil would a 1.4 sport take please?

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Castrol site says 5w40 @ 3.05L with filter this is the cheapest I can find

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Litres...162818?hash=item34069ba442:g:Lb4AAOSwa7Rci8H6

Earth strap 250mm long 8mm holes
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16mm-Ear...hash=item25adc0acb2:m:maacWvEwGzM1GDqOOXSXqyw

OK brilliant thank you for the links.
Where is a good place to get a ball joint from as well please?

Mboyden said:

OK brilliant thank you for the links.
Where is a good place to get a ball joint from as well please?

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Which joint do you need, I can't see it in the post? There's only two, lower control arm, track rod end.

If you rule out all other issues re the steering, I have seen the odd post requiring a new column(has the PAS incorporated)

Oh and I always buy a genuine Fiat oil filter(for our 1.2) as there seems confusion over which part it is on other suppliers I've found and its very little more, also helped by the fact the Fiat dealer is only a mile away.

OK thanks I'll get a genuine oil filter then.
It's the front offside ball joint that needs replacing

Mboyden said:

OK thanks I'll get a genuine oil filter then.
It's the front offside ball joint that needs replacing

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I'm assuming then that's the lower control arm joint, its integral to the arm so a new one will be required, prices vary, depending on how long you're keeping the car decide on price, I bought Lemforder( about the most expensive) as we're keeping the car for life.

If you're doing one side, do BOTH, its a bumper off job along with various chassis parts hence do both, note the bolt on the joint is a pain to get out and my arms came with a new one others may not? £58
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500...m5b5335c420:g:Lf4AAOSwLWJcY~sg&frcectupt=true
VS £155 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-LEMFO...m23ab88050e:g:Xr4AAOSwQH5cHK8F&frcectupt=true

Also the small screws in the bumper can be an issue due to rusting as too can the nut under the wing for the trim and the bumper to wing bolt, there's a you tube video on removal of the bumper, but do not! just rip the bumper edge from the wing carefully prize open the clips from underneath.

OK brilliant thank you for all your help it's been really useful ?

Mboyden said:

OK brilliant thank you for all your help it's been really useful ?

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This may help but can make it look easier than it maybe? ask for any more info if required, like the bumper slam bar bolts are a really low torque for such big bolts.

I’ve got 2 brand new control arms. One for each side £25 each + delivery. Bought them but then didn’t need them.

I see your car is a 08, when doing the control arms expect it to take a weekend! The various bolts assuming they've never been out will be a pain, you'll need a torque wrench or a piece of pipe to help and maybe a blow lamp(good for the tiny nuts on the slam bar unless they shear off) and the 6 small screws in the bumper if never replaced a nightmare I cut slots in mine and were hard to remove when the car was only 7 I replaced with stainless

John202020 said:

Earth strap 250mm long 8mm holes
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16mm-Ear...hash=item25adc0acb2:m:maacWvEwGzM1GDqOOXSXqyw

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Hi John202020, can you please let me know if such 250mm long universal strap with 17mm width is good to be fitted on the 500?

Thanks in advance!

I ended up buying this guy right here for 3 euros.