The steering wheel on my mum's Panda is off centre. It recently had the headlight/wiper stalk unit changed by a Fiat dealer because of an issue with the headlights not turning off. Whilst I was not in town when she got the car back, I noticed the off centre steering wheel when I came back about a month later. I guessed this must've been when they took the steering wheel off and fitted it back on whist changing the wiper/indicator stalks; but when I gave it in to the garage for them to have a look, they said that the steering wheel will go on in only one position - and that I must have the problem corrected by an alignment centre (presumably at the track rods). Can someone confirm if this is indeed the case? I tried looking online for a service manual but can't seem to be able to find one. It seems an extraordinary coincidence for the wheels to go out of alignment just as some work has been done involving the steering column. This is not the first coincidence at this particular garage - the headlight issue cropped up after she took the car in because she was advised about a software update involving the headlight control unit. :bang:
Technical Steering issue
- Thread starter DrTorque
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Technical Steering issue
I can't confirm either way, but I have some photos of the splined shaft, which may shed a bit more light.
I didn't try fitting the steering wheel in a misaligned position, so I don't know if this is possible.
There are three missing splines on the shaft, as seen in the photos, but I don't know if the steering wheel has alignment ribs so that it can only be fitted in one position.
It does make sense that the steering wheel would use these missing splines so that it can only be fitted at one angle, but you would need to look at a (removed) steering wheel to confirm this.
Showing the steering wheel fitted, but the photo is too grainy to show the detail (or there is grease obscuring the view)
Showing two missing splines towards the bottom
Showing the missing spline at the top
Showing one of the bottom missing splines slightly closer up
I didn't try fitting the steering wheel in a misaligned position, so I don't know if this is possible.
There are three missing splines on the shaft, as seen in the photos, but I don't know if the steering wheel has alignment ribs so that it can only be fitted in one position.
It does make sense that the steering wheel would use these missing splines so that it can only be fitted at one angle, but you would need to look at a (removed) steering wheel to confirm this.
Showing the steering wheel fitted, but the photo is too grainy to show the detail (or there is grease obscuring the view)
Showing two missing splines towards the bottom
Showing the missing spline at the top
Showing one of the bottom missing splines slightly closer up
Thanks Chris. The pictures do look like there's leeway for fitting the steering wheel at an angle that's off centre by 10-15 degrees, which is what it looks like on our Panda. As you rightly say though, I'll need to look at the back side of a steering wheel to confirm.
I note you're based in Cardiff. We've been dealing with a Fiat authorised garage in a nearby town, whose name rhymes with Muffin Bill, and last couple of times, the experience has been slightly hit or miss. Where do you give your car(s) in for service, and have you had a better experience with anyone else in the area?
I note you're based in Cardiff. We've been dealing with a Fiat authorised garage in a nearby town, whose name rhymes with Muffin Bill, and last couple of times, the experience has been slightly hit or miss. Where do you give your car(s) in for service, and have you had a better experience with anyone else in the area?
I can't 100% endorse any Fiat garages around here. My main experience has been with Alpha and Yapps garage in Llanishen. They were a Fiat dealer many, many years ago and have continued as an independent Fiat specialist. Most of my experience with them is good (servicing my Multipla for many years, and my Ulysse before that), but they still charge dealer level labour rates, and they are not officially a dealer for warranty purposes.
I now stick to my own servicing and take the car to either Alpha and Yapps or Babbage and Son (also in Llanishen) if I need non-specialist work done, which I don't want to do myself.
Generally your current dealer gets good press, but occasional bad press. deeyup has used them a lot, but after they failed to solve issues with his Panda I think he switched to J&J Motors (Bridgend) who seem to get good reviews.
I now stick to my own servicing and take the car to either Alpha and Yapps or Babbage and Son (also in Llanishen) if I need non-specialist work done, which I don't want to do myself.
Generally your current dealer gets good press, but occasional bad press. deeyup has used them a lot, but after they failed to solve issues with his Panda I think he switched to J&J Motors (Bridgend) who seem to get good reviews.
Good post up above there Chr1s. 
With regards to local dealers, I did stop using Griffin Mill after what I considered poor service. I switched to J&J who whilst are better and are much easier to deal with, are still not perfect.
If you send the car in with a list of things to fix, it will be returned with 50% not looked at and you have to book it in again. At least J&J are happy to take another look though and don't argue like Griffin.
The only main dealer I've not tried is Wessex.
I agree DrTorque that it's a mighty strange coincidence that your mother's steering is out after work has been carried out on it! Good luck getting it resolved.
With regards to local dealers, I did stop using Griffin Mill after what I considered poor service. I switched to J&J who whilst are better and are much easier to deal with, are still not perfect.
If you send the car in with a list of things to fix, it will be returned with 50% not looked at and you have to book it in again. At least J&J are happy to take another look though and don't argue like Griffin.
The only main dealer I've not tried is Wessex.
I agree DrTorque that it's a mighty strange coincidence that your mother's steering is out after work has been carried out on it! Good luck getting it resolved.
Good post up above there Chr1s.
With regards to local dealers, I did stop using Griffin Mill after what I considered poor service. I switched to J&J who whilst are better and are much easier to deal with, are still not perfect.
If you send the car in with a list of things to fix, it will be returned with 50% not looked at and you have to book it in again. At least J&J are happy to take another look though and don't argue like Griffin.
The only main dealer I've not tried is Wessex.
I agree DrTorque that it's a mighty strange coincidence that your mother's steering is out after work has been carried out on it! Good luck getting it resolved.
Shame to hear about your recent experience with Griffin Mill. Long time since we used them, but nevertheless I didn't think I'd hear those sorts of comments about their garage. All bodes well for Fiat generally eh mate!
We dealt with Wessex Garages in Cardiff way back, the salesman who worked there at the time was a complete and utter tool, hence why we went to Griffin Mill. But a lot has changed since then; just had a look on their website and the guy who sold our 500 from GM is now the General Manager at Wessex Cardiff!
I personally found him really good to deal with; remember when I signed for the car that he gave me a lift back to Taffs Well station so I could get the train back to Cathays lol!
.So in theory they should be alright now...maybe?!!
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