Technical Strange steering

[Benji2025]

Hello everyone!

My girlfriend got herself 2005 fiat panda 1.2 8v.

It steers quite strangely.

It is feeling more heavy when turning left, and very light when turning right. Almost as if the city mode was only engaged while turning this way. In addition, the steering wheel is not centered, mostly noticable on highways or country roads. Not warning lights on the dash.

Any suggestions at all based on this description would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ZaphodB]

First of all on a 20 year old car I'd be checking condition of battery and main engine earth strap (the cable condition itself and and the connection at both ends)

You'll need a multimeter for a very basic check, check battery terminal voltage with car off, and when running (and if you can whilst cranking)

 

[Benji2025]

First of all on a 20 year old car I'd be checking condition of battery and main engine earth strap (the cable condition itself and and the connection at both ends)

You'll need a multimeter for a very basic check, check battery terminal voltage with car off, and when running (and if you can whilst cranking)

Thanks for the reply ZaphodB. Let me give that a try.

 

[RalphM]

Could be lower ball joints, better changing the compleat wishbones if they are, any strange ware on the front
tyres? a rough test, if the inside edge is wareing then it's toeing out opposite for outside edge.

 

[koalar]

In addition, the steering wheel is not centered,

Steering wheel has to centred for these cars to track true unless the electric power steering has been recalibrated with it offset,

No warning lights on the dash.

Unlikely to be battery or earth's with no waring lights

Any suggestions at all based on this description would be greatly appreciated.

Nobody can say change this part and it will fix this problem with any certainty it would be a pure guess as it has many causes


Uneven tyre pressure
Damaged tyre wall
Mismatched tyres
Badly worn tyre
Accident damage, front or rear
Worn or bent suspension
Worn steering or damaged steering rack
Sticking brakes
Faulty torque sensor
Software problem, calibration

And maybe something I have missed

Will you be fixing this yourself or using a mechanic

A few simple test would be to check the tyre pressures

Visually inspect all 4 tyres

How long ago was the last Roadworthiness Tests

Has it had any new parts lately

Swapping the front wheels over and seeing if the fault swaps would confirm the first four in the list

Testing the brake disc temperature would let you know if it's a binding brake, be careful not to burn yourself

Is the steering wheel a long way off center,

With the help of an assistant looking at the front wheel, drive forward slowly jam on the brake, drive backwards slowly and jam on the brake, is there more movement of the wheel within the arc between one side and the other






.

 

[Benji2025]

First of all on a 20 year old car I'd be checking condition of battery and main engine earth strap (the cable condition itself and and the connection at both ends)

You'll need a multimeter for a very basic check, check battery terminal voltage with car off, and when running (and if you can whilst cranking)

I just measured the voltage. 11 volts with engine turned off, and 13 with engine on at idle.

This seems abit low

 

[koalar]

Sounds like your meter is wrong and reading low

What's something known measure

New 9V battery for example

 

[DaveMcT]

Don't forget to check for rusted out or bent rear axle.