General the old fiat motto....:/

[lou5590]

so we know fiat stands for fix it again tomorrow, and i thought mine was ok, a few niggles here and there but thats it...



untill today.... :bang:

garages diagnosed it as a problem with the steering collum... rang fiat garage... not the problem that it was recalled for... their quote 645+vat :/ not a happy bunny, even better is my mot is in may so i really dont know what to do.

my car is still with finance, so if i get rid now and get a new one, im in negitive equity, i cant afford to pay out before may so im stuck.


anyone have any ideas?

 

[Magic Johnson]

Well...repairing it would be a good start.

 

[lou5590]

ovbs but i need advice, do i get it done by fiat, or do i take a chance on it just being the shaft anf buy one of them? do i do it my self? i dont know...

 

[jameshobiecat]

There is an outfit in bristol who fit refurbished columns for about half the price fiat want. Have a search on here for more details and some members experiences.

 

[lou5590]

thanks, iv searched on here but cant find anything :/ is theres play when the car is stopped, would the motor be at fault or the shaft?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

If on finance approach them for a contribution towards the repair, they jointly own the car after all

 

[lou5590]

If on finance approach them for a contribution towards the repair, they jointly own the car after all

im probably being very gullible, but really?! what are the chances of them doing that tho?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

im probably being very gullible, but really?! what are the chances of them doing that tho?

Seems you need to do a little research

 

[lou5590]

Seems you need to do a little research

how would i even go about doing that?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Google is normally a good start. Might be worth checking paperwork and getting some legal advise

 

[D4nny8oy]

thanks, iv searched on here but cant find anything :/ is theres play when the car is stopped, would the motor be at fault or the shaft?

Your post isn't clear- is the fault with yours that it has play/slop when you rock the steering?

It's easy to check the tightness of the upper and lower bolts for the lower shaft, so I would've thought the garage you used would've already done this?

When you spoke to your Fiat Dealer, did they confirm your car has had the recall already done, or that it wasn't applicable?

 

[ChrisUK]

As D4nny8oy says get a second opinion it maybe something as simple as a loose bolt. I've just had the entire Steering column unit replaced as the power steering light was coming on, the powered assistance was uneven left to right and was making a grumbling noise (luckily I bought a 3rd party warranty).

If I had to pay out my own pocket I'd buy a refurbished unit with warranty:-

http://www.acspowersteering.co.uk/fiat/steering-column/

Obviously you need to make sure you order the right one. If in doubt give them a call. Then get a local independant fiat specialist to fit it. This DOESN'T need to be a dealer only job anymore .

 

[ChrisUK]

Google is normally a good start. Might be worth checking paperwork and getting some legal advise

I've never known a finance company EVER paying even a contribution towards normal repair work...

Only course of action I can see would be to reject the car (if it's within the first year of ownership). If you buy a vehicle on hire purchase, you have the protection of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Supply of Goods (Implied Terms) Act 1973. The vehicle should still be of satisfactory quality, fit for its purpose, and as described, but it is the finance provider, as owner, that is legally responsible to you as hirer.

With a 'quality' used car this term is normally 12months. What they may do then if it's financially viable is offer to contribute to repair the car rather than cancel the credit agreement and repossess the car.

 

[Mjet220]

Wish my repairs were so low, and never buy anything from fiat price doubles

 

[jameshobiecat]

thanks, iv searched on here but cant find anything

Not trying hard enough! I've read loads of threads about it over the years.

 

[lou5590]

Your post isn't clear- is the fault with yours that it has play/slop when you rock the steering?

It's easy to check the tightness of the upper and lower bolts for the lower shaft, so I would've thought the garage you used would've already done this?

When you spoke to your Fiat Dealer, did they confirm your car has had the recall already done, or that it wasn't applicable?

yes, exactly that, and i rang the fiat dealer, who said he had a recall for the steering cowl, which got done but that was all.

 

[lou5590]

had an email from westernpowersteering, they say that the collum to fail on a grande punto is a rare thing, and possibly just the pinch bolt that connects the upper and lower shaft.


how do i check this?

 

[D4nny8oy]

had an email from westernpowersteering, they say that the collum to fail on a grande punto is a rare thing, and possibly just the pinch bolt that connects the upper and lower shaft.


how do i check this?

With a torque wrench set to the required torque specified by Fiat.

You could just try tightening it by hand, but incorrect torque-setting in the factory was what caused the lower column recall to occur in later models.

The upper and lower pinch bolts are the most likely source of any freeplay in the column, hence why I questioned why your garage hadn't tried to tighten them- only takes 5 mins?

 

[lou5590]

what are the torque settings? anyone know?

iv got that company saying the pinch bolts are at fault, iv got fiat saying i need to replace the whole collum, iv got my usual garage saying i need a new lower shaft, and i got another garage saying i need a new motor..... flipping brilliant!

 

[Mjet220]

Now thats a pickle