Technical What's broken on yours then?

[chrisgolfpar]

croma 1.9 multjet.
My passengers door latch has just failed. can anybody give me a step by step way of removing the door panels.
My failures so far Two coil Springs, one egr, one alternator and a condenser.

 

[keithglos]

I did mine some months ago, look through this:

https://www.fiatforum.com/croma/190538-croma-interior-door-handle.html?highlight=croma+door+handle

I was surprised by the force required to pull the arm rest part with the 6 plastic tongues. It all went back OK.
To get the front bottom corner of the panel off I used an old wood chisel, with some card saving the paint. Just lifted enough to get the fingers in, and gave a sharp tug.
Swing it wide enough to get the top fixing out, about 6 inches below the tweeter.

 

[T14086]

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer

Agree, very interesting. However I cant help but think how many of them claims were 100% genuine, but good reading for Fiat (dont think it includes the grande punto which is probably just as well)

 

[BrianMcL]

Hello again everyone.

Croma's just gone for it's second MOT and it's failed because both rear springs are broken.

The garage have quoted me £260 to supply and fit both but can't get them for a few days.

Does anyone know if there's a comparable GM part that they could use or are they specific to the Croma?

It's the 1.9JTD 8v.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[T14086]

Croma's just gone for it's second MOT and it's failed because both rear springs are broken.

Not being cheeky but did you know/suspect springs were broken? Sometimes it is difficult to tell....dont know if you were aware of 'stilo-springgate'?

Can garage not get aftermarket ones????

 

[BrianMcL]

Hi T14086,
I had no idea that they were broken but for once it might not be Fiat's fault.

The roads around where I live are full of holes and we're surrounded by speed humps, many of which have potholes around their bases making for hard landings even at 10mph or less.

I landed in one a couple of weeks ago with a big thump and a bit of a bang so maybe that did it.

I wasn't aware that the springs could be a problem though - given the other Croma issues reported on this forum maybe this is one part that isn't too bad.

I'm a bit frustrated with the garage though as they weren't even prepared to consider the idea that there might be common parts with the much more common Vectra C / Signum.

The guys who fitted my towbar crowded round for a look when I took it into them as they'd (a) never seen one before and (b) couldn't believe how similar it was to a Vectra - they recognised it straightaway.

I was also surprised that the springs don't have part numbers on them.

Live and learn.

 

[Doofer]

My rear springs broke too, and I didn't know until it was on a ramp for an oil change.

I think they're designed to be progressive. The last few bottom coils are of a smaller radius curve but are also thinner steel. I think so, but they may just have corroded to a thinner diameter. This is obviously a weak point. What looked like a pig's tail was snapped off, but actually still sitting on the suspension arm. The car was sitting on the remaining 90+% of the spring. I didn't notice much, but just thought the handling was a bit sloppy.

The replacement (non-Fiat) springs have the reduced radius curve at the bottom, but the steel is the same thickness as the rest. It handles much better on these, but I can't do a like-for-like comparison, as the originals were probably snapped when I got it.

I can't complain though, as mine has been used for carrying bricks, cement etc.

 

[jadento]

S130,
I saw that your Fuel filer cap latch was listed below....Mine has broken also. Did you get it replaced? I would assume thats a dealer item...do you recall the cost of that? Is that the technical term for explaining what to the dealer what I need? Im was thinking of calling it the "Fuel Door latch". I can only imagine its going to cost more than I think it should.

On a different note,speaking of expense. I just got off the phone with Autoglass...My windscreen is cracked. The total cost of replacement is 592 pounds...YIKES.

John

This could be the kiss of death for my car/me:

Thus far from new (56 plate) 16V 150 and 41K miles

Rear suspension geometry / tyre wear
Fuel filler cap latch
Broken wheel center hub cap
Worn front driveshafts - ** see below
Broken return spring housing in driver's door handle

** - Present but not yet failed - gearbox/drive train backlash & noise. This gearbox characteristic could have lead to uneccessary driveshaft replacement.

All-in-all I'm doing quite well thus far, and long may it last!

 

[s130]

The Part Number is: 51734821
The price in May 2010 was £21.24 including VAT.

Very easy to replace.

 

[jadento]

s130
Part ordered, it was 30.38 with VAT. Not sure why the price difference? VAT is probably up some, but not 9 pounds I wouldn't think. Anyhow, I was scared it was going to be 60 to 80 pounds so I was very surprised and happy with 30! Although I also booked it in for an Oil change as the oil light is flashing. That quote didnt make me happy! 160 pounds for an oil service..ouch!

Thanks for the info.

Also on the thread topic...here is a list of broken/worn out parts changed on my 56 Reg Croma 1.9JTD with 67K miles.

EGR Vlave
Alternator
Fuel door latch
rear parking sensor (currently working, but is intermittent)
Three Coil springs
Windscreen washer nozzle

Also have had the following normal wear and tear replaced

Battery
4 tires once and almost due another set
Front Disc's and pads
Rear Disc's and pads
Windscreen (cracked = 600 pounds)

Think thats its.

The Part Number is: 51734821
The price in May 2010 was £21.24 including VAT.

Very easy to replace.

 

[Doofer]

Windscreen (cracked = 600 pounds)

Do you not have windscreen cover on your insurance? Mine cost £50, for a genuine original Fiat one. The insurance co paid the rest, with no effect on the NCD (I have renewed it since and it hadn't gone up any more than expected).

Auto Windscreens did mine, and they initially turned up with an equivalent one made by some unknown brand. That wouldn't bother me in itself, but the original one is acoustically insulated. If it's not a Fiat one then you will get more wind noise. I sent them away to get a proper one - I had already told them about the issue twice on the phone. Got there in the end though. Then it got a big stone chip about a week later - we've never had one before or since, the law of sod.

 

[s130]

Price increases never seem to amaze me.

For what it is worth I now make it an annual service item to gently remove/unslip the rubber boot on the petrol flap plunger latch and squirt some WD40 inside.

The inner spring is mild untreated steel and seems to rot at the same rate as the original Croma suspension springs!

 

[Doofer]

I haven't had any problems with my fuel filler. Perhaps when I messily slop diesel all over the place I'm actually maintaining it.

 

[Hellcat]

Don't make me include Bunny's Croma in this thread!