Technical Knocking noise - help needed from a new Panda owner

[swana1976]

A bit of background first...

I have an 08 plate 100HP and have been experiencing a knocking noise from the rear for about 6 months now. With a little bit of detective work I have contributed some of the problem to the handbrake cable lines rattling about underneath.

I took it to my local dealer who ruled out anything wrong with the suspension and confimed it was just the handbrake cable. They told me they had found the replacement parts requried and had fitted them. About a week later I noticed the knocking noise was starting to come back so I had a look under the car and noticed the "replacement parts" fitted actually comprised a piece of sponge and some cable ties Now I know it's only a Fiat but I think even Fiat have move on a bit from sponge and cable ties!

I have contacted Fiat to get confirmation that the part I need actually existis before I go shouting at the dealer but their technical department's response was "don't know"(!) so I though I'd seek the help of some friendly FiatForum types instead.

To cut a long story short...can someone with a new-ish Panda confirm that there is a rubber "gromit" type of thingy to secure the cable where it passes over the rear arm.If you look under the car near the rear wheels. I attach a photo from another thread which shows the area and the type of thing I think should exists but no longer does on my car. Owners of not-so new Pandas who still have their gromits can reply also

If it does then I want some new ones from Fiat. If it doesn't then I'll ask the dealer to come up with something a bit better or even fit something myself.

Thanks

 

[cwmitch]

Bet ya a tenner one of your rear shocks has gone? And that's where
your knocking is coming from..



Colin.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Bet ya a tenner one of your rear shocks has gone? And that's where
your knocking is coming from..



Colin.

You mean Bushes? Shock don't normally knock when they've gone (or never have in any of our cars).

 

[swana1976]

That's what I thought but once the dealer 'fixed' the problem the knocking was gone and the only thing I could hear was the rear seats rattling )

I had a P reg Punto Sporting before and there was a similar knocking noise on that which turned out to be the bushes. I told the mechanic this and he was aware of shocks going so I'm sure he checked.

Can someone please check if those rubber gromits exist on their Panda

 

[cwmitch]

You mean Bushes? Shock don't normally knock when they've gone (or never have in any of our cars).

You are indeed correct I did mean the bushes, The brains gone to
mush a 20 month old and packing for a move on Wednesday does
that:bang:


Colin.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

lol.

Best of luck with the move

 

[4x4]

Please check out my input [4x4 Knocking from rear] a few months back. Suprisingly, only one person replied.

I am now wiser having been back to a dealership 5 times and will return yet again when some spares come in.

First off, has your Panda got rear disks? Secondly, does the knocking go when you gently apply the footbrake or the handbrake? If your answer is yes to both then it's the calipers knocking within the suspension arm.

Whilst Fiat will not admit it, they have a massive problem with the design for the floating calipers on the rear disks. They have come up with a half hearted cure that might or might not work. The dealer will fit ribber dampers to the top rod that the caliper slides on thus absorbing some of the caliper float when going over lumps and bumps (the damper is a heavy 5 cm rubber disk). When this doesn't work, the dealer will tighten the sliding part of the caliper by screwing it up so the pad is just touching the disk. As there is minimal 'float' the knocking is greatly reduced until.........the pad wears. The knocking that you think is cured slowly comes back as the pad wears which is quite rapido as the pad is always in contact with the disk. Initially you will swap the knock for a rear brake squeak when you set off with cold brakes but they soon warm up.....
My Panda MJ Cross is now 7 months old and has had the knock from new. Here in Cyprus the dealership has just ordered some new calipers....... I'll let you know the results either way via this thread.

Pete Monty in Cyprus - Panda 4x4 MJ Cross

 

[swana1976]

Thanks 4x4 for your reply. I've read your other post and I'll take this info with me to the dealer when I visit them next week. Cheers

 

[fordliu]

Good luck,all guys,thanks.

 

[dickyd]

Just had my 57 plate 100hp back at the dealers for the 3rd time re a knock from the rear, it's previously had rear shocks and axle changed, no change. This time the mechanic stipped the boot out and its a top bush on the shock tower thats gone, so its on order.

 

[Quids Up]

I've got the same knocking noise and originally thought it was the handbrake cable so did a DIY job on it myself in the same manner as dickyd's mechanic - some foam cladding secured with cable ties.

However, the knocking continues. I still thought it was the handbrake as when I pulled it up a click the knocking stopped, but never thought to listen when I lightly applied the brake - duh! So thanks to 4x4 for the explanantion as that sounds like the probable cause.

I would take mine back to the dealers but I have no faith whatsoever they will sort the problem. I'd rather try and do it myself. On that note 4x4, is the 'heavy 5 cm rubber disk' you refer to a specialist part?

Saying that, I'd love to know how you get on at the dealers dickyd because if they can sort it for you, I may consider taking my own car in.

 

[4x4]

Quids Up (and others) - Just looked under the rear and cleaned the sand from the rubber dampers. The only marking on them I can see is >SR/CR< They are a Fiat part and to prove Fiat know about it I've cut the relevant bit from the Fiat Service managers email back to me when I complained the knocking had not been cured by whatever they did - The reply (part of) was 'The repair we did was to retrofit vibration dumber on the rear brake calibers. This was the instruction from Fiat.' - Keep in mind he means caliper not calibers and damper not dumber (at least I hope he does....) So there you go, Fiat are very aware of the problem as it's a retrofit instruction.
I'm still waiting for the next shipment of parts from Fiat, Italy to Alpha/Fiat here in Cyprus and look forward to having new calipers fitted. BUT, I cannot see how that is going to fix the float. I will keep you all posted by this thread.

Finally, if someone tells me how to get a picture on here, I'll take a pic of the rubber damper and post it for all to see.

Pete Monty - Fiat Panda MJ Cross, Cyprus

 

[Pete The Panda]

Has anyone gotten rid of the knocking noise yet??
Mine sounds like its getting worse!!!!!!!

 

[Henne100HP]

Mine still knocks in the rear.
I left the car over 6 times at the dealership right now.
Nothing is solved.
Rear axle is changed, rear schocks are changed and a lot is lubricated again.
I've met somone at work here in Holland.
He's the person who is charging car manifacturers for failing parts.
He said that it is probably a welding problem.
That the upper body is not correctly welded to the floor of the car.
Mine does knock when i come off of a speed bump. So the body is pressing down on the floor of the car very quickly.

So the rear of the Panda is very sensitive to faults...
Especially the 100HP...

 

[Pete The Panda]

The knocking noise is constant now, started happening a while back when going over bumps, potholes etc then magically dissapeared??! Then around 2weeks ago it came back - worse!!!!!
My suspension has been lowered and everyone ive told about the noise is either blaming it on the suspension or the exhaust! I just want him back happy and well and safely back on the road!!

 

[udtrev]

I have heard of another cause of the knocking - check that you have your rear seat back locked properly

 

[Pete The Panda]

Yes i've already checked that!! Problem still there!!!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Anti-roll bar drop links worn. I know they are on the front but the sound travels through the body shell and sounds like its behind you. Search for previous threads on this...

P

 

[4x4]

Hi all,
Those of you that have this knocking have rear disk brakes don't you?
Aside from requesting you all read my comments again there's nothing I can do to help. I'm 'spot on' having identified the floating part of the rear disk calliper(s) knocking about within the calliper itself, IT IS THE CAUSE OF THE KNOCKING PERIOD! The Fiat dealer here in Cyprus is very much aware that's the problem and has changed the inner 'floating' part of the calliper to no avail. They are now going to change the outer part but I don't see how that's going to fix it as the floating part still floats!!! I can assure you all it's sod all to do with the shockers, brake cable(s), anti roll bar down links, rear seat etc, etc, etc as suggested. The retaining spring clip(s) have to be beefed up so the floating part cannot move up and down but not so much as to stop the brake pad movement.
I note someone said the knocking went away for a week or two. Yes, I have experienced that after hitting giant potholes. To my suprise the knocking stops but only for few days (the callipers probably jam with the severe shock of being roughed up!).

4x4 going back to the top main dealer here in Cyprus to be stripped down as they are as pissed off as I am about it! Sort of challenges their mechanical abilities. :bang:

 

[4x4]

Hi Guys,

Good news - Fiat here in Cyprus have FIXED the knocking from my rear callipers, yes FIXED! Probably the only 4x4 MJ Cross that doesn't knock from the rear. It's taken 8 visits...I didn't give up.

Fiat simply followed a Fiat service instruction and greased the sliders on the floating part of each calliper.... but not with what you would recognise as grease. A special high melting point, incredibly thick (thicker than chewing gum) has been developed. This is applied to the top and bottom of the floating calliper where it abuts to metal. The viscosity, if it can be called that, allows the calliper to slide inside the arm when the brakes are applied but does not allow metal to metal contact. Bingo! It works a treat. Trust me, I know it works as I live in Cyprus where most roads are D class if that. I'm over the moon and back in love with it (except for an annoying rattle from underneath but that's another thread).
OK, to sum it up. If you have a knocking from the rear of your Panda when you go over bumps (at it's worst when going slowly over rumble strips) and the car has rear disc brakes (I think only the Panda 4x4 (diesel or petrol) or 100BHP) get your dealer to order the right grease (glue?) from Fiat and ladle it on.