Hi there,

I wondered if anyone can shed some light

When turning my wheel at a standstill it makes a grinding noise and also when driving the car seems very erratic at the front and seems to want to turn in a different direction suddenly over any uneven surface.

Any ideas what this could be?

I was thinking shocks, maybe wheel bearing but was hoping to narrow it down a bit more

Thanks,
Sam

im assuming punto mk2?
you need to check if steering rack is secure to the subframe
normally wandering can be
insecure rack
worn joints
tracking a mile out usually toeing in loads
you mention grinding this could be related to a seized upper ball race in the top McPherson strut
seen a few of these lately
this too could cause some of your symptoms

if it was my car i would get it in the air securely and check all suspension components
i wouldn't drive it until happy its safe

Yeah mk2 punto

Only thing i have done recently was the clutch and that was in december. New track rod ends came at the same time due to one being very worn so decided to get them both.

And what would be the best way to check my inital thougts - wheel bearing or shocks?

Cheers

Tbh the punto's shocks are pretty darn good

Anyway - you can try putting a little Wd40 in via the top suspension cup in the engine bay (under it if that makes sense) if its a bearing that dry and wearing out
Any oil in there will help ""dull"" the noise, kinda pointing in the direction you want

The bottom ball joint could also be the problem, but that to me is very very unlikely

Ziggy

I'd think top mount. Incidentally, you really, really, shouldn't turn the steering at standstill -- it puts an aweful lot of load through the steering components. I'd hope you were not taught to drive like that!

yeah i know you shouldnt but i have a very awkward drive to get on to and its hard not to really. Try avoiding 2 cars, and having a drive on a ramp with 1 part being kerbed isntead of ramp.

Anyway,
Thanks for everyones suggestions going to get it in the air tomorrow to have a look, also going over speedbumps sounds like the springs falling out which sounds worse as anything.

Will post the results

Sam

howardsam95 said:

yeah i know you shouldnt but i have a very awkward drive to get on to and its hard not to really. Try avoiding 2 cars, and having a drive on a ramp with 1 part being kerbed isntead of ramp.

Anyway,
Thanks for everyones suggestions going to get it in the air tomorrow to have a look, also going over speedbumps sounds like the springs falling out which sounds worse as anything.

Will post the results

Sam

Click to expand...

Does it make a sorta ba-doing noise?

Sounds like your spring tho has either snapped
or unseated itself, and it compressing and flexing off to an angle and on recoil it makes a huge racket, but nothing through the wheel can be felt

Ziggy

Thanks ziggy,
Yeah that is exactly how it sounds, honestly sounds like the spring has fallen out or something. Hopefully going to investigate it tonight.
Would it be best to get 2 new front springs or is it only worth replacing one?

Thanks for all your help
Sam

If the spring is OK, just re-seat it (spring compressors needed). Otherwise, it's always best to replce as a pair.

If you replace shocks you replace in pairs
If you replace springs- you replace in pairs
If you replace Front discs - you do the pair + pads
If you replace the pads - you do the front pair

Kinda see where this is going?

keeping the front end balanced not only helps keep the car feeling tight / new like
but its a safety thing, since nearly everything is at the front - its best to make sure that both sides are doing the same as each other

Ziggy

Thought id update on how its going, or not going.

Turns out its not the spring, and its not the shock. Its actually the upper spring "seat" and heres the best part, FIAT want £38 exc VAT for just one!!

So my next question is, where else can i get these?

Cheers for all help,
Sam

Ring around those local auto parts shops. They may have one


U can try scrappies too. But i dont like scrappy suspension parts to much


Ziggy

I had this exact problem it was the dust protector a little metal plate at the back of the brake disk just pull it away from the brake disk with a flat head screw driver its what i did and its never come back could been a stone thats moved it by hitting it or summot

howardsam95 said:

Hi there,

I wondered if anyone can shed some light

When turning my wheel at a standstill it makes a grinding noise and also when driving the car seems very erratic at the front and seems to want to turn in a different direction suddenly over any uneven surface.

Any ideas what this could be?

I was thinking shocks, maybe wheel bearing but was hoping to narrow it down a bit more

Thanks,
Sam

Click to expand...

Look up