The garage tells me one of the brake hoses is cracked. I can't find one anywhere by googling. Vectra C ones are common as muck though. Anyone know whether they are definitely the same thing?

Cheers

If it's a front hose then use a Vectra or Signum item, if it's a back hose then use a Signum one. It even says 'GM' on the brake reservoir...the car really is a Signum underneath, right down to the exhaust.

HTH.

DoIDon'tI said:

If it's a front hose then use a Vectra or Signum item, if it's a back hose then use a Signum one. It even says 'GM' on the brake reservoir...the car really is a Signum underneath, right down to the exhaust.

HTH.

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Cannot agree more...

Thanks very much, will sort it out.

So it's a Signum without the long wheelbase...Correct?

The platform used is the Vectra one with the 2700mm wheelbase, but the rear suspension and hubs etc have been borrowed from the Signum to give the extra load carrying capacity and performance necessary - hence the confusion in many areas.

I wish it had the Signum's 2830mm wheelbase, that would be positively Limo-like in the back! I guess they decided the standard Vectra platform would suffice due to the Croma's raised seating position - gives better boot space as a proportion of the size of car as well perhaps?

Is the Signum also the same setup as a Vectra estate, or is that different again?

EDIT: Saw that the answer to my question is yes, from the other thread.

I`m stunned its cracked at this age! Has it had oil leaking on it?

I`d be complaining to Fiat, as far as I`m concerned its a safety issue.

a73uk said:

I`m stunned its cracked at this age! Has it had oil leaking on it?

I`d be complaining to Fiat, as far as I`m concerned its a safety issue.

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I had a look at it yesterday, while getting new tyres fitted. It looks like it's been rubbing against something - a whole area about 10 x 10mm is rubbed away to a depth of about 2mm. It might have been tickling the back of the wheel or suspension or something. Or someone's just caught it with a spanner while changing the pads. Getting a new one today, so will look at how it sits, to ensure it can't catch anything.

So the good news is that it hasn't perished. Now I just need to check there isn't a design fault. I doubt it though - it must have been thoroughly tested on countless Vectras.

As the car was used, I don't know its history - perhaps the same mechanic that rounded the sump plug has also been messing with the brakes. The pad wear sensor cable was also snapped on the same wheel (also being replaced today), so a heavy-handed mechanic would be my suspicion.

Will keep the old parts before I have a chat with the dealer I bought it from - not a good state to sell a car in.

Doofer said:

I had a look at it yesterday, while getting new tyres fitted. It looks like it's been rubbing against something - a whole area about 10 x 10mm is rubbed away to a depth of about 2mm. It might have been tickling the back of the wheel or suspension or something. Or someone's just caught it with a spanner while changing the pads. Getting a new one today, so will look at how it sits, to ensure it can't catch anything.

So the good news is that it hasn't perished. Now I just need to check there isn't a design fault. I doubt it though - it must have been thoroughly tested on countless Vectras.

As the car was used, I don't know its history - perhaps the same mechanic that rounded the sump plug has also been messing with the brakes. The pad wear sensor cable was also snapped on the same wheel (also being replaced today), so a heavy-handed mechanic would be my suspicion.

Will keep the old parts before I have a chat with the dealer I bought it from - not a good state to sell a car in.

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I see, not quite as bad, but it should be possible to move it into the path of anything else, so in a way its still a safety issue, imagine if it hadnt been picked up on!

I`d take it into the dealer you got it from as is, making sure I went into the workshop with the workshop controller/workshop manager while they check it, to make sure they dont have the opportunity to blame anything else....

This should be replaced free of charge at the very least.

The only issue may arise if they realise its had its tyres changed, they could then blame the person who changed the tyres....

I know what you mean, but I'm not after any fuss. If the dealer pays to fix it then it's fine by me.

Someone's just been a bit heavy-handed with the spanners. I've no idea whether it's the dealer I bought from, the previous owner, their garage or whoever. If they put it right then that's fine.

This was spotted as I took it for an interim service at a Fiat dealer (even though it wasn't due), precisely because I wanted them to give it a looking over.

I would think that the car would let you know if all your brake fluid fell out.

Doofer said:

I would think that the car would let you know if all your brake fluid fell out.

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