Hello guys, wondering if anyone can help me here.

Currently the proud owner of an 08 Grande Punto 1.4 8v. It's done 104k now and has seen better days. I like this car so much, i'm looking at another. It's an 09 plate, only done 9000 miles owned by an old guy in the pool. It's up for a steal of a price, so i've put a deposit down on it today. The car visually is immaculate. Not a scrape or scratch anywhere inside or outside.

However, when i took it for a test drive it pulls to the right quite bad, and also when moving slowly if you full lock left or right you hear a big "ding" sound. Like that of pinging a spring. (Poor description i know but it's the best i could think of).

The garage were adamant it would be fixed when it went through the standard workshop checks as it had only been taken in two days ago. I am not convinced the ding noise will be fixed, i have full faith the pull will as (hopefully) it's just a tracking issue.

Any ideas what this could be? What should i expect? I'm hoping it's not the dreaded power steering column which costs a bomb to fix (even though i wouldn't be paying, it'll be like drawing blood from a stone to get them to fix that).

I haven't handed any money over yet apart from a refundable £100 deposit to secure the car. __________________

Unsure of the pulling to the right but the 'ding' noise sounds like a top mount to me.

These are bearings which sit above the front shocks and allow them to rotate as you turn the wheel. These are a common weak point on Gps.

To confirm if it is the top mount is gone, put your hand on the front spring and get someone to slowly turn the steering wheel. If the spring twangs then the top mount needs doing. Obviously be careful of moving parts with your arm in the arch.

Jacob, thanks for your fast reply.

Would it be both top mounts? Or just one?

And is it just as common for it to go on a car that has done such low mileage?

Cheers

Could be one or both, check both sides using the method I mentioned.

I'm not sure whether they're an age related failure or a mileage related one but moisture tends to sit on them and the grease gets washed away/bearings become dry and rusty. I wouldn't say a low mileage car is any less prone really.

They're not expensive, good quality ones are 25-30 and about am hours labour at a garage but as you say, the garage should be sorting it for you.

Cool, i'm buying from Arnold Clark so hopefully they'll find it, if not i'll drop a hint!

Thanks alot

No worries, give me a shout if you have any trouble with the top mounts as I did mine not too long ago.

Yeah will do, you're only over snakes pass so not too much of a journey!

Nice one!

More than likely going to be the top mounts, worth getting them both done and forgetting about it, not too expensive either! Sounds like you're going to end up with a nice little car

For pulling right check the tires if they are old. I had a terrible pulling right and it was due to bad/old tires.also check if this happens with straight wheel in reverse.

Will do, thanks ilektrolo.

Hopefully they'll just be 2 niggles and i'll have a decent example as Alex said.

I'm going to miss the sport styling that mine has as this is just an active as opposed to my dynamic sport.

Off topic but does anyone know if you could retro fit skirts off a sport onto an active?! Found some on ebay for £45.

Don't see why not, they have the same body!

Jacob said:

Unsure of the pulling to the right but the 'ding' noise sounds like a top mount to me.

These are bearings which sit above the front shocks and allow them to rotate as you turn the wheel. These are a common weak point on Gps.

To confirm if it is the top mount is gone, put your hand on the front spring and get someone to slowly turn the steering wheel. If the spring twangs then the top mount needs doing. Obviously be careful of moving parts with your arm in the arch.

Click to expand...

adds up to me,

1500 miles a year.. on a car prone to suspension bearings seizing through lack of use / water ingress

IF the mounts are REALLY sticky, then the springs will twist a little..as the steering turns - then self-align with force.. hence the "ding"..

either way - it'll want a good going through

Charlie

Thanks guys. I'm going testing tomorrow and have rang AC up to point them towards that. If it isn't fixed when i go test it again tomorrow I'll have something to say!

I have one more quick question sorry for mithering... I noticed the cambelt hasn't been done since manufacture - now i know the first thing the dealer is going to say when i ask about it - "It hasn't reached the mileage yet" but we all know that they should be replaced after 5 years on these no matter what.

Anything that would help my case for them to do that? I wouldn't mind paying part cost...

KSauce said:

Thanks guys. I'm going testing tomorrow and have rang AC up to point them towards that. If it isn't fixed when i go test it again tomorrow I'll have something to say!

I have one more quick question sorry for mithering... I noticed the cambelt hasn't been done since manufacture - now i know the first thing the dealer is going to say when i ask about it - "It hasn't reached the mileage yet" but we all know that they should be replaced after 5 years on these no matter what.

Anything that would help my case for them to do that? I wouldn't mind paying part cost...

Click to expand...

hi,
by AGE, it'll need,
Coolant, brake fluid too..,

if doing the belt do idlers and waterpump too,

Charlie

Yeah so i think the fluids / filters they will do on their standard workshop list - but cambelt they won't do standard! I'm going for a test tonight so will see what they say =). The good thing is i haven't handed any money over yet

So this is quite a funny one...

Rang AC and apparently the cam/timing belt is the knocking noise whilst steering. Ok, i'm confused. But whatever, free timing belt replacement i'm going to play dumb and accept it... However guarantee when i go and test drive tomorrow the knock is still there and it needs top mounts doing haha!

I could point them to top mounts or i could just suggest it might be the non metallic paint job... maybe you should give it a metallic job...

I've heard the lack of a turbo often causes a knock when turning. Or perhaps it's because it needs a sunroof and leather seats??

Yes, "My friends abarth doesn't make that knock, maybe it needs the styling and interior sir???"

Some pics anyway why not

So i went and tested the car again last night, surprise surprise the knock is still present... Tested using the method and the right top mount needs doing. I've written a little note to the mechanic to tell him how to test and that both top mounts need doing