S reg. 1.6 Bravo

[peter]

Advice PLEASE!!

My Bravo (57,000 miles) loves skipping/ slipping sideways , especially under left cornering ( and not necessarily with excessive loading). All reports seem to confirm no common faults especially with low mileage . Suggestions, please, I have changed rear tyres

Peter

 

[Sy]

Peter i have posted this post about 1 week ago i have the exact same problem with my 1'6 Tom came up with some good suggestions the topic is called GENERAL PROBLEM OR JUST ME? might be on page 2 now

 

[Tom]

What size and make tyres? My first thought would be your rear shocks are worn out. The bravo does seem to eat them quite quickly.

 

[peter]

Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

Shocks was my first thought as well, especially as the old tyres had very strange wear pattern (slight corrugations on the outside edge of the tyre). I've fitted Goodyears,(the right way round!!) and the car is never driven that hard. The "professional" opinion is that it is not shocks, but I am tempted to replace them anyway.Next question; which shocks would you fit??
PS. When I feel the back end go, it is not a slide or a drift sideways, it is a juddering similar to small corrugations (that word again) on the road. Are the shocks damaging the tyres??

 

[peter]

Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

I have also read your discussions on the same problem. Have you still got the problem? Did you sort it?
Did you have the same 'juddering' as the back went??

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

I think your pro is wrong. Sounds very much shock related. Anyway, you can't tell if a shock is worn without taking it off. When they start to leak that means they are totally f**ed!

I fitted Bilstein OEM gas shocks all round and they are GREAT! Can't remember the price but I think it was something silly like £150 for all 4. www.motorsportworld.co.uk.

 

[Sy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

i dont tend to get a huge juddering but you can tell when its going to go the back end really just squats to the right hand side feels like its ready to flip, checkd my shocks and they seame ok its going into the garage tomorrow (monday) or tuesday and ill let you know what was wrong!

 

[peter]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

Have you been to the garage? What's the news?

Do you need to remortgage?

let me know how you got on, as I will buy shockers quite soon, unless there is something else to check first.

Peter

 

[Sy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

Strange one this not sure if the garage is just ripping me off but he says my drivers side rear hub is ****ed, said something like the lower inside support has rusted and corroded thus when i turn sharp the hub twist sending the wheel at an angle under the car making me skip......a commom problem he says....personaly i think he is talking ****.any one with some suggestions? ill take it to another tomorrow morning

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

Sounds reasonable. you've ruled out most other things already.

I'd get them to show you exactly where the prob is. I never ever pay for work that I can't see is actually required. My local garage have FINALLY worked this one out.

 

[peter]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

Did you get to the second garage??

What have you found out??

As soon as you get back, I will take my car to a local Fiat independent and see what he thinks.

Peter

 

[Sy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

yupp the first garage was right the inside hub or hub support (got a few names) had corroded so when ever i turned the wheel was moving as if the wheel nuts are loose, not noticeable by hand as the weight of car just moved this at high speed. cost me £45 to get replaced not sure if this is a isolated fault cos i've never heard of it before but certainly get it checked out mate

 

[peter]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

Just a footnote.

Many, many thanks for all the advice. You were right!! Only way to check the back shockers is to take them off the car. And yes, the off side was shot.
I was able to eliminate all the other possibilities thanks to your efforts, but life would be a lot simpler if I had followed my, and your instincts instead of listening to "professionals".
Just to confirm, a change of shockers all round has stopped the juddering and traction loss on cornering, it has improved braking, and made the car more stable (and faster?)under acceleration.
Once again many thanks

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S reg. 1.6 Bravo

I dunno what it is about Bravos but they lunch rear shocks. I love fiat!