Technical Another shaking Bravo! :( (Bravo 1.4 Dynamic 90BHP 2008)

[Lornz]

Hi all,

I have a Bravo (1.4 Dynamic 90BHP 2008), and noticed that when you reach 40mph, the car shakes a lot. I can feel it in the pedals and the passengers can feel it too. It makes my legs move side to side. Once I reach 60mph and above, or let go of the accelerator the shaking stops.

I have had the balancing done - twice. I have had new tyres put on. I have had new front brakes (pads & discs) and the rear caliper replaced (I was told this could cause a vibration) but none of this has solved the problem, or improved it.

I've seen 3 different mechanics, all of who cannot identify anything definitively or obvious.

One mechanic drove it today and said that it could be the CV Boots. He also said that their is a little of wear on the balancing weight on the shaft (?)
He has said that this would need me to replace both driveshafts and components that come with it. He then tried to find a price for the parts and told me that he couldn't get them. :bang:

So I guess, I have a couple of questions:

1. Does the problems I'm having sound driveshaft related?
2. Do I have to replace both driveshafts? (I've seen people talking just about boots and cups )
3. Could it be anything else?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[rallycinq]

Hello,

Sorry to hear of your problems. The shaft(s) could be out of balance. Can you not take the car to where you bought it?

D

 

[1.8Stilo]

Call shop4parts a fiat parts specialist, parts are obtainable! More than likely just the spider bearings needed, although if you've been driving it around for a while like this you've probably knackered the cups and they ain't cheap.

https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=335374

Have a read of this thread to see what's involved ?

 

[Lornz]

Hello,

Sorry to hear of your problems. The shaft(s) could be out of balance. Can you not take the car to where you bought it?

D

Thanks D, I have tried to return the car, but he is refusing to refund me the money. Before I can take it through a small claims court I have to identify what the problem is.

I also want to understand if it is worth fixing it myself rather than the agro of court.

What does it mean if they are out of balance?

 

[Lornz]

Call shop4parts a fiat parts specialist, parts are obtainable! More than likely just the spider bearings needed, although if you've been driving it around for a while like this you've probably knackered the cups and they ain't cheap.

Have a read of this thread to see what's involved ��

Thank you

I have had a look at that post, but am informed that the 150 shafts are different to the 90?

As I mentioned above, I'm also not sure what I need to buy and if the drive shaft is the problem.

I've only had it 10 days, so I haven't driven it much like this. To an fro to the garage etc.

 

[Mr cool]

It's just cheaper to buy another car . You can pick a cheap bravo up good luck ?

 

[1.8Stilo]

Thank you

I have had a look at that post, but am informed that the 150 shafts are different to the 90?

As I mentioned above, I'm also not sure what I need to buy if the drive shaft is the problem.

Yes they will be different. Garage doing work will need to strip to see what it's needs first. Call shop4parts and get prices for parts and see if any aren't available or if there is a wait for getting them from factory.

Depending on your view of the car, I would suggest replacing all parts of the driveshaft both sides so you know it's all fine and if your paying labour for it to be stripped it only has to be done once. Though it won't be cheap!

 

[rallycinq]

Thanks D, I have tried to return the car, but he is refusing to refund me the money. Before I can take it through a small claims court I have to identify what the problem is.

I also want to understand if it is worth fixing it myself rather than the agro of court.

What does it mean if they are out of balance?

Was it a private sale or retail?

The balance weight on the shaft is there for a reason. If its moved, the shaft will be out of balance.

D

 

[Thomaz27]

I found out my left drive shaft cup has dents in it but I could not see anything wrong with the tripod. Ordered a new drive shaft cup from main fiat dealer on Monday this week got it today and will fit it tomorrow evening. The cup costed me 120 euro. I have some vibrations when I accelerate will be interesting to see if this solve the problem.

 

[Lornz]

Was it a private sale or retail?

The balance weight on the shaft is there for a reason. If its moved, the shaft will be out of balance.

D

It was a trader, local to me.

Ah okay, to be honest I don't know if it's moved. And none of the mechanics I have seen have been definite about the drive shaft - just feels like a last chance solution...

Thank you

 

[Lornz]

I found out my left drive shaft cup has dents in it but I could not see anything wrong with the tripod. Ordered a new drive shaft cup from main fiat dealer on Monday this week got it today and will fit it tomorrow evening. The cup costed me 120 euro. I have some vibrations when I accelerate will be interesting to see if this solve the problem.

Ah that will be interesting to know!

Please keep us posted

 

[Thomaz27]

I have put it altogether now with the help of a forum member, I had problem removing the cup but solved now. Before I take on a test drive I must go jn to town and find gearbox oil and top it up. Will post how it went this evning.

/ Thomas

 

[Thomaz27]

The new cup took my vibrations away. Perhaps that's what wrong with yours too Lornz.

 

[aurick86]

The new cup took my vibrations away. Perhaps that's what wrong with yours too Lornz.

I assume you mean the long driveshaft on the right-hand of the car.
Did you also replace the tripode?
You should have, it's cheap(30-40 euro), and usually that is where play occurs.

It might feel ok for now because of the new grease.
Keep in mind, if the vibrations return in 3-5000 km, replace the tripod itself.

 

[Thomaz27]

I guess I should have replaced the tripod. The problem was I couldn't find one anywhere not on eBay and not at car parts store. A couldn't almost even find inner cv boot aftermarket for this engine had to go to Fiat dealer to get one that fit. And the only solution I could find with the tripod was to replace the whole shaft then. But the tripod looks visibly fine and I measured the "wheel's" compere to the one the RH side I know is ok and they where the same size, but I know you are right about changing it. I guess I just have to see how it goes.

 

[NoRC]

I had this on my 08 Ritmo (Bravo), it drove me nuts for 12 months before I finally got around to getting it fixed. I just can't remember what the final solution was, but it was something to do with the drive shafts. I'll have to ask my mechanic this week when I speak with him.

 

[brodare]

The steering wheel on my bravo is vibrating and its most obvious at around 120 to 140km/h and its even worse with my summer tyres(Nexen nfera SU4). Feels like its coming from the front left side but not sure but changing to winter tyers(Conti TS850) last year the car felt like new at high speeds beacuse the problem almost dissapeared but is still present and feels like its getting worse with time.

Thinking about changing tie rods when i put summer tyers back on and do wheel alignment maybe beacuse i didnt change nothing on suspension since i have the car(60kkm). Did anyone else expirienced the same problem? What do you guys think? Any advice?

Thank you all for your answers.

Have a nice day. eace:

Tim,

 

[Thomaz27]

The steering wheel on my bravo is vibrating and its most obvious at around 120 to 140km/h and its even worse with my summer tyres(Nexen nfera SU4). Feels like its coming from the front left side but not sure but changing to winter tyers(Conti TS850) last year the car felt like new at high speeds beacuse the problem almost dissapeared but is still present and feels like its getting worse with time.

Thinking about changing tie rods when i put summer tyers back on and do wheel alignment maybe beacuse i didnt change nothing on suspension since i have the car(60kkm). Did anyone else expirienced the same problem? What do you guys think? Any advice?

Thank you all for your answers.

Have a nice day. eace:

Tim,

If you thinking about changing your steering rods I can recommend TRW with the ref number JAR644 that's the inner one. I think they are the factory fit. At misterauto.com they almost give them away for free just 12 Euro each and in that price you get new green boots/dustcover, clamps and grease. This was for my 1,9 multijet but I'm guessing this parts are the same for all bravos.

 

[Thomaz27]

If you thinking about changing your steering rods I can recommend TRW with the ref number JAR644 that's the inner one. I think they are the factory fit. At misterauto.com they almost give them away for free just 12 Euro each and in that price you get new green boots/dustcover, clamps and grease. This was for my 1,9 multijet but I'm guessing this parts are the same for all bravos.

Of course you get the steering rod it self to[emoji1]

 

[Lornz]

Thanks everyone for your replies - a year later and I still have the shaking. Flew through another MOT today - so have decided to finally get the driveshaft replaced, I know now that it is the N/S driveshaft that has some play in it.

I was quoted £450 at an Alfa garage - luckily my mechanic has offered to fit it for much cheaper if I source the parts.

So my next question is, what do I need to buy? I’ve found the driveshaft on eBay, but I’m just wondering if there are any other bits and bobs I need to buy or if it’s all included in the unit?

Thanks again!