Punto (Mk1) Replacing Steering wheel with same nut/washer

[Nipsey]

Hi All,

I need to replace the clock spring on my indicator stalk (horn not working except when turning wheel left). My MOT is coming due next week and all my workarounds are not holding.

My Haynes manual says when reattaching the steering wheel you must use a new securing nut. Has anyone else experienced this and had to use a new nut to secure the steering wheel? Or, can you reuse the same nut?

Thank you all in advance for your advice!

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi All,

I need to replace the clock spring on my indicator stalk (horn not working except when turning wheel left). My MOT is coming due next week and all my workarounds are not holding.

My Haynes manual says when reattaching the steering wheel you must use a new securing nut. Has anyone else experienced this and had to use a new nut to secure the steering wheel? Or, can you reuse the same nut?

Thank you all in advance for your advice!

hi,
still got an airbag..? that's a shame..

my old TIPO did this - it had worn out the slip-ring.. so I turned the wheel upside down..
perfect for MOT's since then

 

[Nipsey]

Thanks for the reply. No airbag and that is the problem trying to find a replacement clock spring.

So turn the steering wheel upside down will fix the problem? Can I reuse the securing nut or do I need a new one per the Haynes manual? It looks like I can reuse the nut but wanted some advice. Thanks!

 

[portland_bill]

I used a new nut when I disturbed the Panda wheel, but seem to remember that it seemed tight enough to re-use. It is a strange self-locking type that is less effective each time it is used. I think it was quite cheap from the dealer, so if there is one near you, get a new one. If can't wait, re-use and don't worry.

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks for the reply. No airbag and that is the problem trying to find a replacement clock spring.

So turn the steering wheel upside down will fix the problem? Can I reuse the securing nut or do I need a new one per the Haynes manual? It looks like I can reuse the nut but wanted some advice. Thanks!

MOT tests tend to be on a ramp.. so wheel is basically "straight ahead.. "

also - reminds me of a 127 we had.. if you got cut-upon a roundabout

you HAD to swerve to honk the horn..

 

[rolandbrindley]

You can safely ignore anything you may read between the covers of the Haynes manual on the Fiat Punto, and in any other Haynes manual printed since they began saving money with cheap and nasty paper, poor quality diagrams and photographs, and since they stopped researching and compiling them properly, using an existing car as a basis, a knowledgeable mechanic to do the jobs, and following up all reasonable model variations. I have in the past written to them complaining about errors and omissions in this very manual, in particular regarding the 2 different manual steering racks that were used and clearly not known about by Haynes. They told me when I complained that gearboxes were not covered at all except with a few worthless sentences, that market research has told them that the buying public do not want to see gearboxes covered! I would like to see that market research published! If you need a service and repair manual the factory version if available will be your best bet despite the high cost.

Any self-locking nut will lose its effectiveness with repeated use, especially the crushed ones as opposed to those with a circular spring or a nylon insert. Fiat love these crushed nuts, used on the Punto on the rear stub axle nuts as well as the steering wheel. But you can easily put a few spots of Loctite on the thread if you are worried, or even a smear of Araldite. However if the nut is tightened up to correct torque you have no need to worry at all about its coming loose. If it did slacken off you would become aware of it before there was any danger.