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Technical Steering Noise/Vibration GP '06

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Technical Steering Noise/Vibration GP '06

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smurftech

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Hi

I have searched and seen quite a few steering problems with Grande Puntos. Also there is a current recall for a steering problem as well I notice...

The steering on our '06 GP 1.3d 90 has started to make a grinding noise/vibration when you move the wheel slightly to the left or right, it does this more at low speeds. Spent ages looking for the power steering reservoir......doh! - its electric!

Is this problem anything to do with the recall? Haven't had a recall notice and my wifes name is on the V5.

I will check the VID number later and see if its affected. If it is will this be fixed under recall or is it not the same steering issue?

We have already had to pay for a new engine out of warranty and many other faults, can't believe something else has gone wrong on this car!

Thanks
 
smurftech said:
Hi

I have searched and seen quite a few steering problems with Grande Puntos. Also there is a current recall for a steering problem as well I notice...

The steering on our '06 GP 1.3d 90 has started to make a grinding noise/vibration when you move the wheel slightly to the left or right, it does this more at low speeds. Spent ages looking for the power steering reservoir......doh! - its electric!

Is this problem anything to do with the recall? Haven't had a recall notice and my wifes name is on the V5.

I will check the VID number later and see if its affected. If it is will this be fixed under recall or is it not the same steering issue?

We have already had to pay for a new engine out of warranty and many other faults, can't believe something else has gone wrong on this car!

Thanks
Click to expand...

Possibly top suspension strut mounts / bearings?

How on earth did you break the engine? Fiats rarely have engine breakdowns unless lubricant or coolant is neglected..
 
Thanks for reply, so, if our VID is in the recall range, this should be done via recall and I just call the local fiat dealer to arrange?

And if the VID is not part of the recall - is this a quick fix or more expensive?

BTW, Wife blew engine up, cambelt snapped on motorway!
 
smurftech said:
Thanks for reply, so, if our VID is in the recall range, this should be done via recall and I just call the local fiat dealer to arrange?

And if the VID is not part of the recall - is this a quick fix or more expensive?

BTW, Wife blew engine up, cambelt snapped on motorway!
Click to expand...

Top suspension struts are not involved in the re-call, the re-call is about a nut that may not be tightened to spec on the steering column, mine goes in tomorrow for that.

Had your cambelt passed its due replacement time? I had mine changed at 52,000 miles.
 
As i remember, cambelt snapped due to failed tensioner, it had been previously replaced yes.

All services done on time etc. It just happened 4 months out of warranty. We had mechanical breakdown insurance so the cost could have been more tbh.

Local dealer wouldn't repair the drivers door lock issue under warranty as the car was 2K miles above the limit at the time but less than 3 years old. So more expense... 3yrs 60K, it had done 62K when the door lock went but had 2 month warranty left.

Back to the current problem, is there a way to check and confirm its top suspension strut mounts / bearings?

The noise/vibration through the wheel, shakes the wheel slightly and makes a noise like a washing machine on spin if that helps. Hard to explain, only does it at 25 past and 25 to positions if the steering wheel was a clock! If I hold the wheel in the right place (at standstill) the noise /vibration continues. If I put city mode steering on its worse.... No lights on the dash to indicate a problem.
 
smurftech said:
As i remember, cambelt snapped due to failed tensioner, it had been previously replaced yes.

All services done on time etc. It just happened 4 months out of warranty. We had mechanical breakdown insurance so the cost could have been more tbh.

Local dealer wouldn't repair the drivers door lock issue under warranty as the car was 2K miles above the limit at the time but less than 3 years old. So more expense... 3yrs 60K, it had done 62K when the door lock went but had 2 month warranty left.

Back to the current problem, is there a way to check and confirm its top suspension strut mounts / bearings?

The noise/vibration through the wheel, shakes the wheel slightly and makes a noise like a washing machine on spin if that helps. Hard to explain, only does it at 25 past and 25 to positions if the steering wheel was a clock! If I hold the wheel in the right place (at standstill) the noise /vibration continues. If I put city mode steering on its worse.... No lights on the dash to indicate a problem.
Click to expand...

Does it do it when the car is standing still (ie not driving)? Or only when on the move?

Could be the steering motor, or even a low charge in the battery, easy to charge the battery overnight and eliminate that.
 
It does it at standstill with the engine running, just turn the wheel slightly and you get the noise/vibration. As I mentioned, its worse with the city steering turned on.

I am leaning towards the motors, just because it seems like a motor type vibration noise. If the battery was low wouldnt it affect car cold starting etc? Although it does take 2 or 3 warms of the glow plugs to start in the morning when its near to 0C outside at the moment. Starts fine once warmed up throughout the day...

Will the steering motor(s) be knackered or need tightening up?

The more info. I can get the better as I know a mechanic friend who can do the work if I can point him to the possible causes (He's a BMW mechanic, doesn't see fiat's that much)
 
Thanks for all the help Ffoxy, done a lot more searching and it sounds to me like new column & motors needed.....doh!

Thinking about it, still got AA mechanical breakdown insurance, wonder if this is covered? Or will they refuse after they paid towards the new engine last august...?

Looks like I need to chase this up with them.....
 
Update:

Had the steering problem diagnosed and it was something to do with some sensors or other (i forgot already).

Anyway, garage says new electric steering column needs fitting. £428.00 + VAT from Fiat.....local fiat dealer has a lot of them in stock at any one time for some reason!!!

So grand total to me will be around £650 to get this fixed.

No problem, steering is covered by AA warranty I thought. Wrong, steering rack and most other parts are covered but not the column!!! Total rip off - wtf are we paying for this cover for???

Tried arguing and complaining but they wont budge, if its not mentioned in the Whats Covered section then its not covered at all.

Car is going in June, worst car we've ever owned for reliability in 20 years of motoring ..... thanks a lot fiat

Anyone know whre we can get these second hand? Car is rubbish so put rubbish parts in it....
 
When I went to go and pick up my car They said I had to wait a week for the steering sensors to be replaced. Didnt realise it was that much. This companys has speant A LOT Of money on my car, all with a cost of £84 to mee : D

But apart from that, Mines a '06 1.9 m-jet and seems we have had very simular problems
 
Thanks for all the replies, still looking, will get this sorted in next week or so hopefully....

D4nny8oy said:
1.3 Multijet Diesel has a timing chain, not a belt? :confused:
Click to expand...
You could be right, as I remember from the garage that fitted the new engine, the chain snapped because a bolt or part of a bolt that was part of the whole timing chain assembly (tensioner or pulley maybe) broke and got lodged in the chain itself.....or something like that anyway.

Made a mess of the engine anyway!
 
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