Hi Folks,

Took my car in for its (4-year) annual service/MOT today. Got a call late this afternoon telling me that everything's great with the car except the steering – the wheels only turn freely in one direction – and so it's failed its MOT. They say I will need a new steering column – cost about £700.

I have had problems with what I thought were bad tracking or wheel balancing, leading to the car pulling to the left a bit, plus vibration through the steering wheel at certain speeds.

A previous undiagnosed problem with a knocking sound from somewhere under the front of the car was also a concern, but that went away after KwikFit had a look (and couldn't see anything wrong.) I was worried it was a suspension problem, like broken drop-links.

So, does this sound familiar to anyone? Does the diagnosis sound right?

I'm hoping it may be covered by a warranty I bought when I got the car.

Any advice, gratefully received.

A few people have reported the steering column going recently. I had mine replaced, but FIAT Direct offered to do as a goodwill gesture. Maybe this is your first port of call?

Im getting mine replaced on Monday.

Had no power steering for about 3 weeks now. Fiat wanted £750 but i got a steering coloum from a brakers for £200 and local garage will fit for £150 max.

I got told here are some on ebay for about £200, but i couldn't find any....

Have a look around before you do it at fiat. Might save you a few pennys

Then how much are Fiat gonna charge to sort it out with the cars computers?

punto_matt said:

Then how much are Fiat gonna charge to sort it out with the cars computers?

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'Tis true. FIAT themselves had my car for about 3 weeks as the job is a sod. They had to ship a column in from Italy in the end, as the two they could source in this country were wrong.

They did say something about computers and certain fitments not being right.

Garree001 said:

'Tis true. FIAT themselves had my car for about 3 weeks as the job is a sod. They had to ship a column in from Italy in the end, as the two they could source in this country were wrong.

They did say something about computers and certain fitments not being right.

Click to expand...

they had to do the same for mine aswell as the one that came originally was wrong. Then they had to get one of the body computer change to reconise the new column, what a ballache. Glad it was covered under the third year warrenty!

She now just passed her first MOT and going smoothly touch wood*

Well it looks like the warranty I bought a year and a half ago will pay for the replacement.

I hope there will be no problems with the body computer. It sounds like it's a common enough job that they should have it sussed by now.