Just when I thought everything was going well, I noticed a rather nasty shuttering noise which appears to be coming from my front left wheel. I've only had the ****ing car a week though it's an ex demo that had 2100 miles on it when I got it and I've done just 300 since. I'm far from amused it has to be said.

When I shake the steering wheel you can feel a bit of a thud when the wheel is central and when going over bumps it appers to be coming from the front left wheel. I guess it has something to do with steering but can anyone give me any pointers as to what I should check before I have to bring it back to the dealer? It would be an awful hassle and could be avoided if it's something simple. My mates will be laughing at me as they told me all along not to buy a FIAT and I wanted to prove to them that they aren't bad cars at all!

sounds daft but have you checked the wheel nuts are tight? all new wheels/ after fitment should be checked with a torque wrench after the first 50 miles or so,,, not sure if thats much help to you

Andy Monty said:

sounds daft but have you checked the wheel nuts are tight? all new wheels/ after fitment should be checked with a torque wrench after the first 50 miles or so,,, not sure if thats much help to you

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That's strange I've never heard that someone has to go back to the garage to get there wheel nuts tightened after the first 50 miles.

Andy Monty said:

sounds daft but have you checked the wheel nuts are tight? all new wheels/ after fitment should be checked with a torque wrench after the first 50 miles or so,,, not sure if thats much help to you

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Doesn't sound daft at all, was thinking that myself. Have just had a bath after football and will have to go and get dirty again, bahhh. Will let you know thanks

Nah wheel nuts are all nice and tight so it's got to be the steering mechanism. I've only done 300 of the 2400 miles and this happens. I guess you could say I'm pretty far from ammused. I'm starting to suspect that the wheel has maybe hit a kerb during it's 'demo' life?

If it is f*cked, this will be because of the way that the dealer drove it before you did. Also the myriad potential customers.

I drove all the cars I tested like I had stolen them, was allowed to go out on my own.

Could be that the tracking has been knocked out or possibly you got some duff suspension bushes. Have faith in the fact that you are covered by the warranty, it's inconvenient but at least you won't have to pay for whatever the problem may be..

I know, appreciate your help people. Was hoping to go more than a fcuking week before having to return it though! I had serious resevations before buying a demo but was just too tempted by the £1300 or so discount. Is 2100 miles normal for a demo in 2 and half months and supposedly going for short 3 mile test runs? Who knows what went on in the previous 2100 miles? Hope you didn't test drive my GP Alex!

tracking and balancing?

Don't worry, I drove these cars in Crawley! I can't have been the only one hammering them around though.

Don't worry about it, take it back, get it sorted. Sure it's a pain in the arse, but it'll all be forgotten about in another week's time and you can get on with enjoying it.

diablo_NL

Most Uk rapid fit garages put a self adhesive label some where on your dash instructing you to check your wheel nuts after the first 50 miles there is a chance that the nuts or studs are going to work loose. most trailer manufactures recommend the same checks after you have had a wheel off
http://www.mobilexhibit.com/wheels&.html

Incedently i picked up a torque wrench form lidl for about £10 a few years ago that comes in handy at least you then know they are properly tight but not over tight

My guess is that it is related to wheel tracking. Reason? The demo car I test drove about a month back had steel wheels when it was meant to have alloy ones, so it's very likely that other demo cars have also had steel wheels fitted and in your case the garage has probably replaced the wheels with the correct alloy ones just before selling it. (That is if your car's specification should include alloy wheels as standard.)

Prestissimo said:

My guess is that it is related to wheel tracking. Reason? The demo car I test drove about a month back had steel wheels when it was meant to have alloy ones, so it's very likely that other demo cars have also had steel wheels fitted and in your case the garage has probably replaced the wheels with the correct alloy ones just before selling it. (That is if your car's specification should include alloy wheels as standard.)

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It's a 1.4 Dynamic so alloys are standard.I had signed for the car 2 months prior to receiving it and had been to see it a couple of times and there was definately alloys on it then. I starting to think it is a strut but we'll see when I take it to the dealer tomorrow

Do you know I very nearly bought an ex demo but the fact that the dealer just gave me the key and let me loose put me off. I know it was nice not to have the sales patter but I am sure it will have had its neck wrung on every other outing

Also I didn't fancy signing for a car that would still be used as a demo for another month so dug deep and bought new (first time ever)

Well, the dealer advised me to have the AA look at it so the AA bloke said it's the bit that is fitted to reduce body roll that's causing the shuddering/thumping noise. The name of this componet escapes me at the minute but he said to wait until it gets worse then bring it back to the dealer as it's not too bad at the minute. At least I know the car is safe to drive now!

Well, the dealer advised me to have the AA look at it so the AA bloke said it's the bit that is fitted to reduce body roll that's causing the shuddering/thumping noise. The name of this componet escapes me at the minute but he said to wait until it gets worse then bring it back to the dealer as it's not too bad at the minute. At least I know the car is safe to drive now!


Anti Roll Bar perhaps?

VinylHogger said:

Well, the dealer advised me to have the AA look at it so the AA bloke said it's the bit that is fitted to reduce body roll that's causing the shuddering/thumping noise. The name of this componet escapes me at the minute but he said to wait until it gets worse then bring it back to the dealer as it's not too bad at the minute. At least I know the car is safe to drive now!

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I would go back and demand they fix it. You paid for that car and it should be perfect. Why you have to wait until it get worse?

Good point. The AA bloke said it was OK to drive which was my main concern so I'll contact the dealer and arrange for them to look at it whenever it suits me because as you say the car should be perfect.

After taking the car to the dealer (on a sat when they have skeleton staff working), they told me that there was a screw missing from the plastic cover in the wheel arch that was causing the noise. After driving it a mere 300 metres I noticed no difference whatsoever and brought it staright back in. The mechanic went out with me and acknowledged that something wasn't right. Then I had to book another appointment for a whole day during the week. SO I left it in and they said they had ordered a new anti-roll bar and drop links. So waiting for the call.

Take the car back. Tell them that you know the suspension is built dry (not greased) in the factory.

Watch their jaws drop as they wonder how in the name of Christ you knew this, before booking your car in to have it sorted.

I have it on very good authority that suspension noise is a common problem on GP's brought about by a lack of grease, particularly rear suspension. It's a simple fix.

Alex