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Technical Snagging

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Technical Snagging

AnthonyH

AnthonyH

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I've started snagging my Grande Punto, it has a long backlog of minor problems which i've ignored while I got my 500X on the road.

1) Reposition backbox
2) Fix minor leak in exhaust
3) Adjust steering, it tugs right a little
4) Adjust one of the wipers which is a little off
5) Grease starter motor
6) Grease rear shock mounts
7) Grease back seat hinges
8) Patch bumper
9) Re-affix bumper
10) Change oil
11) Fix strut mount bolt covers

Not fixing

1) heater

Big jobs

1) Change clutch
 
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One mentioned in the eLearn service news (and workshop software like AutoData) about 15 years ago...
https://aftersales.fiat.com/elearnsections/main.aspx?nodeID=199001965&languageID=2&markID=1&modelID=199000000&valID=199000001&prodID=199000000&modelName=Fiat - 199 - Grande Punto&langDesc=English&sectionName=Service News&validityName=1.4 8v
Rear_Sus_noise_squeaky.jpg

You don't have to remove the mounts, just lift the rear, slide down the boot and spray some silicone/teflon there.
Dry/wet version of the lube, doesn't matter much.
 
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GrandePunto PL said:
One mentioned in the eLearn service news (and workshop software like AutoData) about 15 years ago...
https://aftersales.fiat.com/elearnsections/main.aspx?nodeID=199001965&languageID=2&markID=1&modelID=199000000&valID=199000001&prodID=199000000&modelName=Fiat - 199 - Grande Punto&langDesc=English&sectionName=Service News&validityName=1.4 8v
View attachment 476800
You don't have to remove the mounts, just lift the rear, slide down the boot and spray some silicone/teflon there.
Dry/wet version of the lube, doesn't matter much.
Click to expand...


That is a good one. I will do this.

I've just bought this grease;

 
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After you have done as @GrandePunto PL advises re steering, inspect the tyre wear on front tread as now you have run it a few miles it will give a clue as to the way they are wearing, check if wear is equal on both tyres or just one. Usually if only one has abnormal wear it can indicate a suspension geometry issue which can be harder to fix, if both tyres are worn lower on the outside edge the same, it can point towards too much toe in on the steering (both wheels pointing towards the centre line of the car and a tendency to self centre after coming out of a turn) if too much toe out (both wheels pointing away from the centre line of the car it will have a tendency to wander, be having to correct the steering and it following the camber of the road) so this will help to diagnose the issue.
An important starting point is that both track rod end adjustment threads must be equal thread showing (if not then to keep the steering wheel in original position, whatever you take off one side in turns of adjustment must be added onto the opposite side so they both end up equal.
This must be done before any actual adjustment so you are applying the same to both sides.
A common cause of steering bias to one side is unequal length threads on track rod ends.
Then from that point wheel alignment must be done by the same amount of turns at both sides of the car.
Remember we are probably only talking about a couple of mm of adjustment so don't go to wild.;)
This is why it is best done with the correct wheel alignment gauge and mark original position of threads so you know exactly how much has been changed.
If you go to a tyre depot to have it done, try and get them to let you see what they are doing as it is not unknown for a fitter to only adjust one side and "rattle the spanners " under the other side, which may show the correct adjustment , but will have put the steering wheel out of align.:(
If in doubt about what I mean you may see some clearer pictures online re tyre wear issues.
 
bugsymike said:
After you have done as @GrandePunto PL advises re steering, inspect the tyre wear on front tread as now you have run it a few miles it will give a clue as to the way they are wearing, check if wear is equal on both tyres or just one. Usually if only one has abnormal wear it can indicate a suspension geometry issue which can be harder to fix, if both tyres are worn lower on the outside edge the same, it can point towards too much toe in on the steering (both wheels pointing towards the centre line of the car and a tendency to self centre after coming out of a turn) if too much toe out (both wheels pointing away from the centre line of the car it will have a tendency to wander, be having to correct the steering and it following the camber of the road) so this will help to diagnose the issue.
An important starting point is that both track rod end adjustment threads must be equal thread showing (if not then to keep the steering wheel in original position, whatever you take off one side in turns of adjustment must be added onto the opposite side so they both end up equal.
This must be done before any actual adjustment so you are applying the same to both sides.
A common cause of steering bias to one side is unequal length threads on track rod ends.
Then from that point wheel alignment must be done by the same amount of turns at both sides of the car.
Remember we are probably only talking about a couple of mm of adjustment so don't go to wild.;)
This is why it is best done with the correct wheel alignment gauge and mark original position of threads so you know exactly how much has been changed.
If you go to a tyre depot to have it done, try and get them to let you see what they are doing as it is not unknown for a fitter to only adjust one side and "rattle the spanners " under the other side, which may show the correct adjustment , but will have put the steering wheel out of align.:(
If in doubt about what I mean you may see some clearer pictures online re tyre wear issues.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. The starter is almost done, so while the front is still up on stands I will check the steering, this morning. I'll report back with any issues. Hopefully the starter does actually start the car lol, if not I'll have to do that again and I'll delay the steering adjustment.
 
The starter is working, it had an intermittent problem so i'm going to have to wait to see if its fixed permanently.

I took a look at the tyre wear on the front and there is a little more on the outside than the inside, its nothing major, but i'll need to tweak that. I've been checking the tyres regularly but hadn't compared the inside to the outside with the gauge i recently bought. Just thinking now...it started raining so i went to buy a can of Monster and waiting for that to kick in :)
 
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I've just adjusted the tie rod ends to try to get the steering straight. I think as the wheel tugged to the right then i needed to turn the steering to the right.

I took some pictures so i can put it back if that happens to be wrong.

IMG_20251122_113408.jpg


This is the nearside, i marked it with tippex and turned it one quarter to the back of the car, which should turn the steering right.

IMG_20251122_111841.jpg


This is the offside, i turned it one quarter to the back of the car, which should be turning the steering right.

I've decided not to address the toe out at this time, its complicating matters too much!

I'll get this on the ground and take it for a drive now...:)
 
AnthonyH said:
I've just adjusted the tie rod ends to try to get the steering straight. I think as the wheel tugged to the right then i needed to turn the steering to the right.

I took some pictures so i can put it back if that happens to be wrong.

View attachment 476825

This is the nearside, i marked it with tippex and turned it one quarter to the back of the car, which should turn the steering right.

View attachment 476826

This is the offside, i turned it one quarter to the back of the car, which should be turning the steering right.

I've decided not to address the toe out at this time, its complicating matters too much!

I'll get this on the ground and take it for a drive now...:)
Click to expand...
If the track rod adjusters are unequal length of thread showing, what you take off one side you must put on to the opposite side to keep tracking as before, to balance it up.
Once they are equal hopefully the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position, if not and assuming no master spline in the past it was possible to reposition the steering wheel on it's splines , although not always possible these days, plus you have the airbag to worry about.:(
After that if any adjustment done to the tracking/wheel alignment to correct toe in/out etc. must be done equally to both track rods to keep steering straight.
With electronic power steering I have never done it , but I understand it needs to be done using diagnostics to centralise steering, possibly MES can give it as an option?
If yours is wearing tyres on outside of tread and not due to other factors (racing through the bends:)) then it can indicate slightly too much toe in.
Ideally check with correct gauge, but you could maybe try screwing the track rods in a max. of half a turn each, which as steering arms behind the axle it will give a small amount of toe out or slightly less toe in as may be your case.
 
bugsymike said:
If the track rod adjusters are unequal length of thread showing, what you take off one side you must put on to the opposite side to keep tracking as before, to balance it up.
Once they are equal hopefully the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position, if not and assuming no master spline in the past it was possible to reposition the steering wheel on it's splines , although not always possible these days, plus you have the airbag to worry about.:(
After that if any adjustment done to the tracking/wheel alignment to correct toe in/out etc. must be done equally to both track rods to keep steering straight.
With electronic power steering I have never done it , but I understand it needs to be done using diagnostics to centralise steering, possibly MES can give it as an option?
If yours is wearing tyres on outside of tread and not due to other factors (racing through the bends:)) then it can indicate slightly too much toe in.
Ideally check with correct gauge, but you could maybe try screwing the track rods in a max. of half a turn each, which as steering arms behind the axle it will give a small amount of toe out or slightly less toe in as may be your case.
Click to expand...
Its getting a bit late to take that down and drive it, i have to go out, so i will leave it up and have a think. Its a tricky business lol

I adjusted the windscreen wiper, thats been clanking on the side of the car for months, is nice to have that sorted if nothing else :)
 
I found another job that needs doing, fixing strut mount bolt covers. I've already had to have two new strut mounts because water gets in there. I could only get ones that fit from China, so i can't gurantee they'll arrive in early December. Will see.
 
I fixed the exhaust leak, what happens with these Puntos is that the flange on the cat bends and exhaust fumes leak from the top. I have to leave the exhaust paste overnight to dry so the car is still up on stands. I didn't do anything else with the tracking.

The dry lubricant arrived today, it is very dry, i.e. it ends up just a dry powder, its possible i'll have to buy some wet teflon grease if this doesn't work. I'll see if i can get that on the rear strut mounts tomorrow. Or maybe i'll buy some more bump stops, they're on ebay for £15 a pair.
 
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I fixed the tugging steering, its straight now, and i put an extra 1mm on toe out. I had a little trouble loosening the lock nuts, but then remembered Mikes "toffee hammer" jokes, and got it sorted :)

Changed the oil.

Greased the bump stops on the rear shocks, but its still creaking. I could try new bump stops.

Realised i need to adjust the handbrake, its not tight enough.

The starter motor hasn't stuck, so far.

Progress.

1) Reposition backbox ✅
2) Fix minor leak in exhaust ✅
3) Adjust steering, it tugs right a little ✅
4) Adjust one of the wipers which is a little off ✅
5) Grease starter motor ✅
6) Rear shock mounts / sort creaking ❌
7) Grease back seat hinges ❌
8) Patch bumper ❌
9) Re-affix bumper ❌
10) Change oil ✅
11) Change a tyre ❌
12) Toe out steering ✅
13) Put on strut mount bolt covers ❌
14) Tighten handbrake ❌
 
I patched up the bumper with some glass fibre and body filler, sanded it, and now i'm waiting for the paint.

I tightened up the handbrake.

I've realised that the rear shocks i put on a couple of years ago are the wrong size, hence the noise. They are an ebay confirmed fit. I can remember buying another set before these, they were the same size so i figured these must be the right ones, but they just aren't. So i'm going to have to buy some more shocks and hope to get lucky with the sizings. Its hard to tell why getting the right ones is difficult.

If i have time tomorrow i'll go and buy some new tyres.
 
I decided to try some silicone grease on the rear shocks and it worked! Happy days :)

The bumper is patched and painted.

I bought 2 new tyres but haven't had a chance to put them on yet.

The strut mount bolt covers are now in the country, they have made there way from Hong Kong, but they aren't currently at the house.

The car is almost ready for its MOT next month. Did I say this was MOT prep work as well as snagging? I forgot, i'm probably talking to myself on this thread by now anyway!

Progress;

1) Reposition backbox ✅
2) Fix minor leak in exhaust ✅
3) Adjust steering, it tugs right a little ✅
4) Adjust one of the wipers which is a little off ✅
5) Grease starter motor ✅
6) Rear shock mounts / sort creaking ✅
7) Grease back seat hinges ✅
8) Patch bumper ✅
9) Re-affix bumper ✅
10) Change oil ✅
11) Change a tyre ❌
12) Toe out steering ✅
13) Put on strut mount bolt covers ❌
14) Tighten handbrake ✅
 
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Its all done.

These bolt covers came all the way from Hong Kong for £4.64 delivered. They fit nicely on this car but not my EVO unfortunately, which is more important because those springs ding when the car starts up, before it goes away.

1000012498.jpg


I'm assuming these bolt covers were never fitted to Puntos. I wonder how many million man hours were lost to repairs because of this?

The paint for the bumper isn't the right colour, supposedly the company i used mix colours, but they processed the order so fast i don't believe it, they just picked up something similar off the shelf. I put it on anyway, on a 17 year old car its not so important. But i'm giving that company a skip from now on.

MOT is early January.
 
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