Punto (Mk2/2b) How to replace a PAS column on a Punto Mk2 HGT... Part 2

[scrappydoo]

I've been following this while I change a complete steering column on a 2001 model but I can't work out whereabouts this fits on the lower U/J pinch bolt:

Can anyone help?

 

[scrappydoo]

This is turning into a nightmare!

I'm really struggling to get the pinch bolt through while it's in position due to no clearance at the back of the steering rack spline. I'm contemplating putting the pinch bolt and nut on the wrong way and tightening up.....then turning the steering wheel around to a position where the Univeral Joint is sideways on enabling the bolt and nut to be loosened and then turned around to be correctly fitted and tightened.

 

[scrappydoo]

Sorted the lower bolt out now but now wondering what the torque and sequence is for the column nuts? Been reading on the main forum that this is imperative to do correctly but nowhere can I find the info as to what torque and sequence!

 

[germulvey]

Sorted the lower bolt out now but now wondering what the torque and sequence is for the column nuts? Been reading on the main forum that this is imperative to do correctly but nowhere can I find the info as to what torque and sequence!

In case any one needs the above info,
The Haynes manual says:-
Steering column mounting nuts 15 Nm / 11 lbf ft
Steering gear mounting bolts 70 Nm / 52 lbf ft
Steering whell nut 50 Nm / 37 lbft ft
Track rod end-to-swivel hub nut 40 Nm /30 lbft ft
Universal joint clamp bolt nut 33 Nm / 24 lbft ft

 

[rpro59]

Hello,

New to the forum. Would like to thank Dark Crusader for his guide on changing the steering column on the Punto.

Just completed a change with perfect results.

Well done!

Regards,

Rpro59

 

[Dark_Crusader]

Hello,

New to the forum. Would like to thank Dark Crusader for his guide on changing the steering column on the Punto.

Just completed a change with perfect results.

Well done!

Regards,

Rpro59

You're most certainly welcome rpro59, very glad my little guide could help you out in some way big or small?
Thank you ?

 

[nitramtpr]

Hi guys, another reasonable newbie to the forum, we bought our daughter an 02 Punto and luckily for us the EPS failed after just 6 months
I've got a Haynes manual and the process in there for removing the column is OK but this guide is perfect, I'm not sure I would have attempted it without this guide even though I am a pretty competent home mechanic.

A few of things I'd like to mention.....

1. The nut that holds the steering wheel on looks like it has a security cage around it, I wasn't sure if I had to remove it or not. It doesn't need removing, it just requires a 24 mm socket to remove it. My knees obviously aren't as sticky as Dark_Crusaders, I had to get the missus to hold the wheel while I undid the nut!

2. I got my refurbished column from BBA Reman in Rochester, it was £160 with a best offer, I offered £145 and they accepted. It came next day (I ordered just before mid-day).
If you get one from BBA Reman be aware that the columns they ship don't have the lower column that fits into the rack, nor do they have the ignition key block. I had to drill the bolts out of the existing column (in fairness Dark_Crusader did mention this but I missed it!). You have 10 days to ship the old unit back (free shipping, they provide a return label)

3. It took me about 2.5 hours to fit, I would say it would take me about 1.5 hours if I had to do another.

4. The only problems I had were - drilling the bolts out holding the ignition key unit into the column and getting the splined socket at the base of the steering column over the splined shaft, that took me about 30 mins alone, in the end it just needed proper alignment and it slid on easily!

With regards to the tools required:

Socket set, 10mm, 13mm and 24mm were needed, you'll need a 4-6" (10-15cm for the young uns) extension arm for removing two of the nuts that hold the EPS unit in the dash and for removing the steering wheel nut.
A hex (allen) key set, I think I used 3 sizes in total.
The only screwdriver I used was a small flat bladed one to help press the catches that hold the electrical connectors in place.
I used a penny coin to remove the plastic screw holding the fuse cover in place.
I also used a pair of pliers to remove the cable holders in step 5 of part 1.

Once again, thanks for a really great guide D_C it is perfect for changing the steering column.
If you look at the whole process at a basic level you are just removing a bit of plastic, the steering wheel, a few cables, some nuts that hold the column on and that's it, not scary at all Take your time and you'll be fine.

 

[Dark_Crusader]

Hi nitramtpr?

Really happy to hear the column transfer was a success for you? you did it in a very quick time I must say! To be fair though I was flying blind at the time and had never attempted it before so I concur doing it again would probably be a bit quicker too? also thanks goes to you too for fleshing out the kind of tools needed for the job which is much appreciated.
Other findings whilst doing this procedure as you've seen from some members have been mentioned in their posts and I think that's a positive in helping other guys on FF out who may encounter things that I did or didn't do like the issue with the column you mentioned.
Thank you for your comments and happy motoring!?

 

[alltvrepairs]

Hi,
I have repaired quite a few Punto Mk2 steering motors replacing relays, joints etc.

However I have now the usual Punto MK3 steering column fault which needs sensor replacement.

I have a scrapped unit that may do some testing on. Tried searching this forum to find a disassembly's instructions to the sensor level. Not sure if this detail is found in Haynes manual. But all the videos I have seen show the unit already dismantled.
I have a large nylon gear on top of the torque angle sensor and not sure what is the best way to split apart without damaging the unit.

After this I would be able to continue myself as have the equipment to calibrate the unit etc.

Your help much appreciated. I may update this page wit more information if I get the required help.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Dark_Crusader]

Hiya sorry for late reply!
Tbh I've not had any experience on the Mk3 EPS side, only the Mk2 HGT's, hence the 'How to'guide. Months after I created that, someone else had actually managed to create a 'How to' on fixing the EPS unit itself, albeit a bit out of my skill set, it's helped out a lot of people, and also negated having to change the whole column which is good on one side, but may be not so if you're not so handy with a soldering iron but at least both guides offer avenues which can be pursued and added to. I don't know of any Mk3 EPS guides on here and doubtful if Haynes would go that deep with these type of issues, but if successful maybe you could be the one to create your own guide for the Mk3 EPS? For Fiat Forum members?

 

[DasArab]

Ok so im heading to my local scrappys tomorrow to get a EPS unit. The thing thats worrying me is that no doubt the wheels will be off the car and it wont be easy to keep the wheel in a straight line. Thanks to nitramtpr for listing the tools needed, that will save me taking a full tool box.

 

[DasArab]

What an absolute dog of a job!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 ****ing hours!!!!! Yes 4 ****ing hours. I thought this was going to be an easy job, went to the scrappys got the whole Unit out in half an hour, no issues what so every. Got home, disconnected the battery, waited half an hour and started stripping, half an hour and its out. Decided I would swap over the old indicator/wiper column module, no issues. Ok so out to the car with the "new" unit, get the wife to help as I try to connect the knuckle joint to the rack and thats where it all went pete tong Nothing I could do at all to make it fit to the rack. Try widening the clamp but its a thick bit of metal and could not budge it. after an hour of trying to make it fit I have damaged the groves in the knuckle!!!!!!!!!! So, thankfully, I live very close to screwfix and off I pop to buy some needle files. 20 minutes later ive got the knuckle in the vice and slowly re forming the grooves. Thankfully the metal is soft and the grooves file out nice and clean. BTW forgot to mention I also removed the lower part of the steering column to make it easier to handle and repair. So off I go back to the car and it slips over first time of asking, no issues, jobs a good 'un. :slayer: SO now i try to refit the lower half of the Column to the top half.............................. ******* ******* ******** So when I finally mange to make it fit it wont slide freely so it takes a further 3 attempts, off the car, to get it the right length. So anyway its now on, all the wires are back on the then as im fitting the steering wheel I realize the wheel is going to be ever so slightly off center, so yup, its all off again and I tweek the column slightly re mount it all and thats that sorted. Wheel back on, air bag back on and all connected. Battery connected, car starts and Steering Wheel light out and power steering back working, but yup you've guessed it Air bag light on even thought it was left for 30 minutes with the battery disconnected and I had even turn the lights on and ignition to try to drain any last current in the system. Cables ordered from ebay so I can use Multiscan. Anyway Check the horn works, and nothing!!!!! Jesus, gives a break........ So anyway strip it down to the point I can remove all the wires and swap over the other column module and put it all back together. Everything's now working except the airbag lights on. 4 hours for what should have taken an hour.....................
BTW ment to say Id read most have a bit of an issue with initially removing the Knuckle bolt, so I turned the steering wheel so I could remove it, then straightened the wheel and refitted the bolt so that the nut was at the back and the bolt would slip out the front. Worked perfectly for me, about the only thing that went straight in this job.
Thanks for to the OP for the how2, its been a good help.

 

[Dark_Crusader]

Wow sounds like you had a right old time of it DasArab!
I'm glad you managed to sort it in the end even after much cursing, but at least you managed to sort the job in a quicker turnaround time than I did
Hopefully it shouldn't give you any probs for a while. The clearing of the airbag light though should be easy enough to clear with the multiecuscan software and cables. Before you clear it though make sure the air bag clip that fastens to the back of the squib (centre part of the steering wheel) is clicked back in place properly, if it's not then you may find that the light may not go out

 

[DasArab]

Got the cables, but nothing I try will allow the program to connect to the ecu.

 

[Dark_Crusader]

Can you show a pic of the type of cables you're using?, that may or may not be the issue? Just helps to eliminate all possible suspects

 

[gabster]

Ok, there’s an easier way to do this.
Follow instructions up until removing the lower steering column bolt (by clutch pedal) - dont remove it. Instead.
Insert key and make sure steering lock is not engaged.
Remove the four m13 nuts that are holding the upper column and let the whole thing rest on the bottom of the dash panel.
Remove the steering motor 3 bolts (E10)
Remove the steering ecu - 1 weird bolt only a 5mm socket fits.
With the key in, no steering lock on, you can rotate the column without moving the road wheels. Rotate it 90’ anticlockwise and there,s a bolt that joins the upper knuckle joint to the column. It would be covered by the steering ecu.
Remove this and slide the upper column off. No messing with serated shafts or anything. The joint can only go on in 2 ways and one is obviously wrong.
Replace is reverse - you’ll need a bit of patience to locate the shaft and make sure you slide it right in before bolting up. I had an unwilling assistant at this point. Youll need key in, no steering lock on, again.
Other thing - ignition barrel. No need to drill anything or fit new bolts. They are easy to get off if you know the secret. You must insert the key and turn it to second position! Then you can push in the bright steel clip (its obvious) and the barrel will wiggle out. Simple. Nothing will fly out or fall apart. For fitting, it only goes in one way.

 

[amoscane]

Does anyone know what the color position in the torque sensor plug is as my plug was cut off and I need to re-solder in the correct order. I have the yellow 6 pinout version.