General knocking noise

[damager999]

can i have some help please just got my first fiat a punto hgt abarth the problem i've got is when i pull away fast i get a knock/bang from the front passanager side my mate said engine mount put theres no play any clue to what it could be thanks

 

[MadMan0]

Just check that the brakes are not binding/sticking on that side i guess.

i get a bang from the rear brakes if i leave car parked on handbrake - i need new shoes

but there are lots of other possibilties that could curse a bang...
(soz for bad spelling, long day)

 

[Ralf S.]

It's either the clutch or an engine or gearbox mount.

If the clutch behaves itself the rest of the time and is quiet, takes up smoothly and doesn't judder, it's probably fine.

The engine mount would show up as a shudder as you pull away at low engine speed (after the clutch is fully out).

Gearbox mount you'll only see by getting under the beast and having a look/giving it a shake and checking for play.

Ralf S.

 

[damager999]

thanks for that the clutch is fine is the gear box mount easy to see and change need to get that ****ing noise sorted im sick of it every time i try to give it some away from the lights lol

 

[DaveMcT]

It might be the exhaust hanger hitting bodywork. It can be so loud you dont know where the noise is from.

 

[MadMan0]

It might be the exhaust hanger hitting bodywork. It can be so loud you dont know where the noise is from.

And yet Kwick-Fit still can't find and/or fix it been back 3 times and given up now - centre part by Cat bouncing around from time to time never does it when the car is ramps at the garage

 

[DaveMcT]

Mine was the mounting peg on the mid box. All fine until its pushed sideways by engine torque reaction. I proved it with a rubber pad gaffa taped to the tunnel for the peg to hit onto. Later put a 10mm jubiilee clip on each peg to stop the rubber hanger sliding across. No more noise.

 

[MadMan0]

mine just has a metal spike/pole thingy conected to the middle section that looks like it's resting on the car underbody when on the ramps, but when i saw the exhaust jumping it's clear it's not actully attached to the car

 

[DaveMcT]

There should be a peg on the body very close by and a rubber hanger between the two pegs. Rubber can slide along the pegs and allow the exhaust to hit the body - hence jubillee clips on the pegs to stop the rubber sliding. (Oo er missus)

 

[damager999]

thanks for all the replys i'll av to jack it up and get under it. now the bloody power steerings stoped workin this morning my mate told me not to get a fiat wish i took his advice lol :bang:

 

[DaveMcT]

Older small cars are often under serviced and over used so take your pick of what manufacturer's parts you want to deal with. For starters look at doing, new oil, new coolant, new filters, new suspension, new brakes, etc, etc. If not now, they will be going fairly soon. Goes with the territory of older small cars.

Lots of other makes use the same steering system. Its electric, so for any problems first check the battery.
Symptoms:
Cuts out on full lock - current demand goes up, weak battery allows volts to drop, steering trips. OK when engine restarted.
Cuts out after a cold start on a cold morning, Same issue caused by weak battery not coping with starting car and all the other demands of cold weather.
Cuts out randomly might be a battery with internal short but steering might be faulty
Pulsing or kicking back - might be a steering problem.
Reconditioned columns are £180. Dont buy new.
Get the battery properly stress tested as it likely to be too small and worn out. Replace with the best you can.

 

[damager999]

tryed swapin batt i put a bosch silver heavy duty one on and still the same. can i just change the power steering motor or is it alot more involed thanks

 

[DaveMcT]

That's a booger.

The motor can be changed but you take the risk of the relays etc being faulty.

These folks seem to be good http://www.bba-reman.com/uk/index.aspx
ebay advert http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-PUNTO-66...arParts_SM&hash=item27b6ca55c0#ht_2434wt_1075

Also this is worth a look but who knows if its the full monty Ending soon could be worth a punt
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fiat-Punto-mk...CarParts_SM&hash=item3a624f1d85#ht_890wt_1075

 

[damager999]

but i heard u cant just swap it it needs to go a computer to be set up is that true?

 

[DaveMcT]

BBA suggest otherwise. Give them a call.

 

[bozla]

Just check that the brakes are not binding/sticking on that side i guess.

i get a bang from the rear brakes if i leave car parked on handbrake - i need new shoes

I'm glad you said that - confirms what i though is happening with mine!

Literally just had the engine mounts done - a bit expensive I'm afraid but the car feels really good now. Just to describe the symptoms:
-Slight feeling of 'play' on the motorway going over bumps
-Knocking going round corners (left hand) as if the wheel bearing or drive shaft is going - especially bad on cambered left handers - especially motoway on/off ramps.
-Knocking when pulling away
-God-damn awful clutch engagement on downshifts - if you heel and toe you'll need to rev the engine twice to bring the revs up enough

When you look at it it may look fine but check for cracks in the rubber. If the rubber is cracked it's on it's way out.

 

[damager999]

i might just burn the flipin thing lol :slayer:

 

[DaveMcT]

Search "Punto HGT" on eBay and contact the breakers to see if they have any engine mounts.

 

[damager999]

so do u guys think engine mounts then if its ok weather tomorrow i'll be under it

 

[bozla]

Check the mounts for cracks, or pop the bonnet and have a mate rev the engine to see how much it moves around. If it's bobbing up and down half an inch or so then they could be finished.