Technical Help a muppet....

[Kirky86]

Hi all,

First post here and I apologise for it being a 'Help me' topic... Anyways..

My Mrs insisted on buying a bit of a shed as her first car in the form of a 1999 Seicento 0.9 SX.

First issue - Gear selection. The car can't find 5th very easily and reverse is almost impossible. I have tracked to problem to a snapped 'stick mount' at the base of the gearstick, basically the front 2 bolts have broken away and so the whole assembly just flaps about - I presume this will be the cause of her issue? I have seen a 2nd hand one for £30 inc new stick and selector but wondered if anyone has a spare kicking about cheap? That way I can try it without wasting pennys!!

Second issue - There is a knocking at low speed on left lock, I have checked the CV boot and thats fine, the Arm seems fine but if I grab the driveshaft, I can move it 'to and fro' between the gearbox and hub by a good few mm's. I presume this is a CV joint? Or am I best replacing the whole shaft? Opinions appreciated!

Third and Final issue - I thought the 'SX' model came with PAS. I could be very wrong, but can someone verify? I know they have electric PAS but I can't see the electric unit anywhere in the engine bay, although I havent had a look from the bottom yet. Or are they located inside the vehicle behind the bulkhead? It's definately not working if it's there..? I know Punto's are renowned for them failing, wasn't sure if it's the same on Seicento's or if there are things I can check such as fuses etc?

Any help appreciated, she only paid £300 for it so If all else fails the scrap man can busy himself for a while, but if it's easy enough to fix this little lot - I'll have a bash!

Thanks in advance guys and girls!!

 

[Kirky86]

I feel I should explain that I don't feel Seicento's are sheds, but that this one IS a shed.

 

[The Black Box]

From my understanding not all seis came with pas it was an option up until a year which I can't remember. Cvjoints do the inner an outer think parts came in at 60 quid odd that was both sides and boots theres an outer kit on ebay for about 13 quid it comes with everything new hubnut boot circlip grease etc you just need to tap off the geared ring thats meant for abs models the other bits speak to eurocarcare who will sort it out not a pleasant job make sure you have your circlip pliers at the ready. That could be the solution just check clutch adjustment there is a measurement in Haynes but I do mine to be just above the brake pedal try posting a wanted add on here forthe part there is a specialist cento breaker on eBay

 

[rallycinq]

The EPS wasn't standardish until the S 'grew' to 1108.

The motor is attached to the column under the dash, the ECU for it is behind the glove box, the fuse is behind the battery.

If you have no light on the dash suggesting EPS failure, you don't have to worry about EPS failure, its either not fitted, or will not be found by the MOT inspector.

The shaft will move in and out a bit, if its more than 1mm, probable CV joint wear, allowing the centre ball to move on the steel balls. Just replace the CV joint.

Its easier to do the joint with the shaft out, but on the 899 the spider is in the box lubed by gear oil. Be prepared to catch the gear oil and have plenty to refil the box when done. 2.4 litres from memory.

Well worth doing it with the shaft out, because you will be able to check that the box has oil in it. Quite often the broken gear lever thing is because the box has been run dry and the previous owner has been forcing it into gear.

Cheers

D

 

[Kirky86]

Thanks guys... Good to know about the Breaker on eBay, I think I found him last night - Ordered the gearstick 'mount' and linkages for £30 which I thought wasn't too bad. Ordering an Outer CV Joint today as allegedly they are the ones that are most common. Good to know it's lubed by the gearbox oil as otherwise I would have a rather untidy looking driveway by the weekend lol. It does whine like a b1tch and with the mount for the stick broken it points to some pretty hefty gear changes!

Thanks again for the help... I shall post the results when it stops raining

 

[dirtyhands]

when you say whine like a bitch,is that the wife or gearbox or both:yuck:,if you are removing shaft from gearbox,i would not unless your changing inner boot if leaking,cant remember if that is a pot joint on inner? i just remove cv nut cut old boot off,beware of loads of grease to drop out and have newspaper underneath to catch it,wheel off and car supported on axle stand [safety first ] tap in joint toward gearbox 1/4 inch be fine go in behind hub and find the cv clip to spread outwards and when at max spread tap cv towards hub clip should have cleared the groove,loosen 2 bottom shock bolts on hub then take out top bolt you should have enough room to detach.
if gearbox is whinny an additive can be bought to add to oil to help.

 

[Kirky86]

Haha, nah she's strangely quiet when driving. She's only just passed you see (at 24... slacker) so all the concentration has gone into that rather than whining!

I'll give it a bash though, my sale for the gearstick mounting bracket fell through unfortunately so I may have to try a bit of B.I.Y ('B' will change to a 'D' when bodge is successful!).

 

[rallycinq]

Before driving anywhere, check that gearbag oil level. If there is a shortage, walk (or take other transport) to the oil shop.

Cheers

D

 

[Kirky86]

I shall indeed. Its up on axle stands now so i just have to wang the driveshaft out and will do oil at the same time. By sounds of it i doubt any oil will make itself known upon removing the shaft lol. What they best off running? Just some 75w90 or something?

 

[dirtyhands]

drain into a clean container and reuse unless it has high mileage

 

[Kirky86]

80k with no sign of a gearbox oil change.... Think I may put some new stuff in there! Quick question for you all - Driveshafts on the 900cc SX - they're all the same around 98/99 I presume? No ABS and what not? It hasn't even got EPS so can't see it having it. Just before I go getting the wrong shaft off the 'Bay!

Thanks all.

 

[Kirky86]

Well the driveshaft eventually came out. With a fair bit of gearbox oil. The Outer CV joint boot was shot and had about 3mm of play in it. Guessing that accounts for the noise!