Recently bought a 1996 fiat punto, 5 door 75 1200 petrol, steering is extremely heavy at slow speeds, how do I tell if its got electronic powered steering or if there is something else wrong? Or even if it has powered steering? Thanks.
Steering Problem
- Thread starter stephen67
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Steering Problem
If it has EPS there should be a steering wheel icon which illuminates briefly on the dash when you turn the key (and when the system develops a fault).
If it has conventional power steering -- which, I think, was fitted to some Mk1s -- then there will be an obvious pump mechanism driven off the alternator belt.
Check the tyre pressures -- should be in the region of 32psi all round (lack of air in the front tyres will make the steering very heavy).
Finally, if the front struts have been replaced, there' are two positions in which the top mount can be placed. If some twerp has them in the power steering position, then the castor will be such as to make the steering very heavy. The Haynes manual should detail this.
Do bear in mind that it is extremely bad practice to attempt to turn the steering wheel with the car stationary: it'll be very difficult on a non PAS car, easy on a PAS car, but whichever kind of system is fitted, it will place unnecessary and unwelcome loads on the steering components.
If it has conventional power steering -- which, I think, was fitted to some Mk1s -- then there will be an obvious pump mechanism driven off the alternator belt.
Check the tyre pressures -- should be in the region of 32psi all round (lack of air in the front tyres will make the steering very heavy).
Finally, if the front struts have been replaced, there' are two positions in which the top mount can be placed. If some twerp has them in the power steering position, then the castor will be such as to make the steering very heavy. The Haynes manual should detail this.
Do bear in mind that it is extremely bad practice to attempt to turn the steering wheel with the car stationary: it'll be very difficult on a non PAS car, easy on a PAS car, but whichever kind of system is fitted, it will place unnecessary and unwelcome loads on the steering components.
No electric power steering ever fitted to any mk1.
Unless the car is one of the top models it is very unlikely to have power steering.
The steering was obviously heavy when you bought it. So why did you buy it if you thought there was a problem? And why not ask the seller if it had power steering or not!?
Unless the car is one of the top models it is very unlikely to have power steering.
The steering was obviously heavy when you bought it. So why did you buy it if you thought there was a problem? And why not ask the seller if it had power steering or not!?
