Hi all I purchased a 2012 Panda for my wife a week ago, it passed its roadworthy test today. However I am not happy with the handling, the steering response worries me. When on the open road even on straight level stretches I find myself making small corrections on the steering and immediately have to compensate to keep in a straight line. I have put new tyres on the front and had tracking done to see if it would help but no improvement. Around town its not too bad but I worry if she was on the open road that she might get into bother. The car does not really wander on the road, its just that my hands on the wheel feels that the car is leaving a straight line and I compensate, sometimes a little too much and then have to react again. has any one any suggestions to offer. Thanks in advance Mike
Technical twitchy steering
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Technical
twitchy steering
Worn bottom arm bushes are likely
Test this first and go from there
Decent tyres and pressures, over inflation makes it a bit twitchy
Test this first and go from there
Decent tyres and pressures, over inflation makes it a bit twitchy
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Koalar random thoughts | FIAT Panda (Mk3)
Hi koaler success someone had insulated the small thread that fits inside the battery tray with tape presumably to stop it rusting I took the tape off so I could get the bolt off then the gauge instantly went to 3/4 so thanks for your help
www.fiatforum.com
Few different ways to test
Those open roads migh just not be quite straight lines. They never are. There are always little curbs and inclinations. Maybe that's why. EPS keeps the weels straight but open roads do need little adjustment maneuvers, all the time.
Thanks Koalar, when I bought it it has one fail test item, worn off side ball joint, when the mechanic had it on the lift to fit new ball joint he gave it a good going over. It passed its roadworthy test today also, new tyres and pressures ok. puzzling
Thanks Mike Her previous car was a k12 micra. It behaved perfectly on the roads I had issues on so I have a like for like comparison.
Thanks Koalar, when I bought it it has one fail test item, worn off side ball joint, when the mechanic had it on the lift to fit new ball joint he gave it a good going over. It passed its roadworthy test today also, new tyres and pressures ok. puzzling
Test them
Don't assume there okay because it's been on the lift
It's very rare to need one ball joint, suspension parts are normally replaced as pairs
I never fitted a single ball joint, if the joint gone the rear bush certainly will have gone unless it's already been replaced, as the joint out last the bush normally
Did they replace one bottom arm?
Is often done, but preferable to replace both sides together
The rubber bushes only last so long
Bottom arms are almost consumables on these
+1 on testing as per koalar's link. Any play in the bushes will be obvious
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Thanks. Ball joint not available separately so the arm was replaced
Sounds like I need to get it back on a lift. Thanks.
When they are set up correct there never dead straight and true,
But you should be able to drive down a straightish road fairly relaxed one handed, in fact you can steer them down the road using you knee under the steering wheel
Only somewhere safe and quiet
How's it feel if you drive over the cats eyes or rumble strips on each side
City button isn't pressed ?
Any noises?
Try a couple of psi lower
But you should be able to drive down a straightish road fairly relaxed one handed, in fact you can steer them down the road using you knee under the steering wheel
Only somewhere safe and quiet
How's it feel if you drive over the cats eyes or rumble strips on each side
City button isn't pressed ?
Any noises?
Try a couple of psi lower
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The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Too many meals eaten at the wheel.....
It's totally worth a try.
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drive along a motorway or dual carriageway and allow the car to track along the overbanding between lanes. Worn bottom arm bushes (rear rubber) will cause the car to follow the line then skip over.
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On my Panda the City mode seems to self cancel above about 30 mph but
worth a look at the dash CITY lights up if it's on, some years back I drove one
with only 50 miles up brand new and it was a absolute pain to keep straight,
don't know if they ever cured it.
worth a look at the dash CITY lights up if it's on, some years back I drove one
with only 50 miles up brand new and it was a absolute pain to keep straight,
don't know if they ever cured it.
Thanks all for the suggestions. I had the car up on a lift and the mechanic said that all looks ok. No play that he can see. Its worrying me quite a bit as this is for my wife to drive. What I'm getting is hard to describe. driving along a straight road, for example, in town doing 20mph and need to correct slightly to the left,turning the wheel I get a tiny bit of resistance, like the steering is heavy and then the resistance goes and as I have used that tiny bit more effort to turn I end up over correcting. Is there are part of the steering that requires lubricating as its like something sticks and quickly releases. its taken all the pleasure out of driving this little beastie. Thanks in advance Mike.
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You purchased this car a week ago, maybe two weeks by now.
Any warrantee ?
How was the car described etc., etc., etc.....
Any warrantee ?
How was the car described etc., etc., etc.....
Private sale puntodad no comeback there. Hadn't considered the column joints koalar must check them out tomorrow, I never attempted to twist the steering wheel with the front wheels held, that might show universal joint play but I will grease them though. The mechanic did check the top mounts.
Thanks guys
Thanks guys
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