General What's going on with my Stilo...

[Argonought]

So it is going back in on Wednesday, for 2 days, to have a better look - maybe they will remove the wheels this time

I thought you were going to remove the wheels yourself this morning

It's always reassuring to give the suspension a good old tug

 

[Stu DemonD]

I thought you were going to remove the wheels yourself this morning

Yes, I intended to - but then the garage said take it down at 8.30am this morning, so thought that was the better option....

 

[Deckchair5]

I think you lost us a bit with the symptoms Stu (and a few red herrings
Can you explain what you're experiencing?
What speeds?
Does it get worse/ better if you brake?
Is it worse at speed?
Where do you think the noise comes from or where do you feel it?
Is it always when engine cold or warm?
Does the car pull when you brake?
What is the noise like?
Sometimes I try to imagine what kind of thing would be needed to make that noise and it often helps to solve the puzzle
Go on, give us some more clues
Might even help your ace mechanics to have more info

 

[Stu DemonD]

Sorry, it doesn't happen all the time, and not at any particular speed

But basically I sense juddering coming from the front of the car, but not all the time - the speed is irrelevant - maybe at 30, maybe at 40. This morning, for instance, drove it from cold to the dealership, and nothing really major i.e. a slight judder. Driving back, coming up the hill, and very pronounced sideways judder at 30mph.

However, I got a new noise yesterday and today, a bit of clunking under braking, so I am now thinking it is maybe something to do with the brakes? The front discs warped maybe?

 

[Koa]

Well the way you drive you could cook a barbi on your discs mate, so I wouldn't doubt it :chin: Actually I'm not one to talk there either :bang:

 

[Stu DemonD]

Well the way you drive you could cook a barbi on your discs mate, so I wouldn't doubt it :chin:

Yeah, exactly - I don't mind the cost of fixing it, I just want my car back to normal...

I don't even stay on my brakes long at junctions, just in case I am damaging the discs - BUT I admit the car is driven pretty hard most days on my commute.

 

[Deckchair5]

When it's doing its stuff does it get worse or better if you put the brakes on?

Don't worry if you haven't had time to try it out but there's your next test

 

[Stu DemonD]

I think it gets better under braking i.e. judder stops.

 

[Deckchair5]

Well you need to get it jacked up and check out the brake pad condition, discs for cracks and wear in any of the suspension/steering parts. If the disc was warped it would tend to get worse under braking but it sounds brake related for starters. Happy hunting!

 

[Vimto2000]

Hey Stu,

When you get the juddering do u feel it on the steering wheel or is it the car shaking??

Cos I had that problem and got progressively worse. In the end i had it diagnosed with a decent mechanic other than Fiat and it was my drive shafts that were shot!! I drove around on them ages thinking it was the balancing...so they were pretty bad. Anyway got it all sorted and drives a treat!!

Take it to somewhere else other than Fiat and they should diagnose it after one quick run!! I took mine initially to diagnose it near the Honda garage in northampton, so the Honda place is on your left and the lights swing a right. Then look out on the left for a garage with a yellow sign. Fitted me in even on a Sat and gave me a pretty conclusive report of whats wrong for a small fee...then you can go back to Fiat armed with that!!

 

[Stu DemonD]

Cheers for that Vimto.

I gave it another good run today on the commute, and definitely the whole car is shaking, yet it stays pretty much on a straight line. Under acceleration, getting a real horrible noise as well...

Yet sometimes, I can go a few miles and happy as Larry.

End of the day, car is booked in on Wednesday at Fiat - courtesy car sorted, and I have a 3rd party warranty on it that can be used. The service manager is picking it up from the house at 7.30am that morning, so he has plenty of time to see/feel it for himself - I will mention the drive shafts to him as a 'possibility' - if they can't diagnose it, though, I may give that other place a try.

That Honda place is right next to Fiat isn't it :chin:

 

[Vimto2000]

Not sure, the Avondale one, near the trainstation, further on than the casino!

Yep if the whole car judders its most likely to be your driveshafts, or there was something else it could have been...but i cannot remember

But make sure it keeps going back until you happy!!

Ps i have a feeling mine might have happened to the extra torque. But seems to be sweet after it was replaced...not cheap either!!

 

[Stu DemonD]

Well, car is in, being looked at :slayer:

I suggested a load of things to the manager, and told him that if he can't find any problems on the few miles drive in to the dealership, then I suggested someone takes it for a long run down a dual carriageway...

And my courtesy car - a 1.2 New Panda :spin:

 

[Deckchair5]

Ooooo 1.2 Panda! Deep joy!
Just what went wrong with your driveshafts Vimto? A drive shaft is a solid bar so it can only break, there's a universal joint at either end to transmit drive and usually balance weights to balance and dampen forces.
So which part if the driveshaft was "shot" and caused the imbalance when you say "your driveshafts were shot?"

 

[jamie86]

, then I suggested someone takes it for a long run down a dual carriageway...

Braver than most car owners

I remembering hearing from a friend where I took my car to get new tyres they decided to see if it was all I said it was...

Got stopped by police later that day and accused of reckless driving through the town

"wasn't me" (that time)

 

[jamie86]

Ooooo 1.2 Panda! Deep joy!
Just what went wrong with your driveshafts Vimto? A drive shaft is a solid bar so it can only break, there's a universal joint at either end to transmit drive and usually balance weights to balance and dampen forces.
So which part if the driveshaft was "shot" and caused the imbalance when you say "your driveshafts were shot?"

He could mean the bearings were fooked

 

[Stu DemonD]

And the answer - yep, one of the driveshafts has gone

BUT, and a big but, not covered under the warranty I have [not from FIAT, but via AON or somewhere] due to the car being lowered - the inspector will see that, and not validate the claim so have to pay for it myself - the warranty is still useful for other stuff that MAY happen though

However, they are also replacing the front disks and pads as well - not using oem stuff - they are using some drilled/grooved disks, and greenstuff pads!!! Worked out as cheap as buying the oem stuff.

Ah well, I just want the car back now....

 

[Koa]

And the answer - yep, one of the driveshafts has gone

BUT, and a big but, not covered under the warranty I have [not from FIAT, but via AON or somewhere] due to the car being lowered - the inspector will see that, and not validate the claim so have to pay for it myself - the warranty is still useful for other stuff that MAY happen though

However, they are also replacing the front disks and pads as well - not using oem stuff - they are using some drilled/grooved disks, and greenstuff pads!!! Worked out as cheap as buying the oem stuff.

Ah well, I just want the car back now....

Nice one with the discs and pads Stu They won't affect your warranty will they ? Although saying that they will come with a 12 month warranty themselves.

I remember a drive shaft going on my Alfa, years back, I thought it was gonna be mega expensive.... and it was ( at that time )

So with this warranty you have, they are going to wangle their way out of any job they can, is the waranty not based on what parts your car had at the time of taking it out ?

Was the driveshaft damaged because of a direct link to it being lowered Stu, I supose they can put it down to the extra pounding the car takes due to the stiffer suspension.

On a good note, My car went into Fiat Olympian this morning for an hour and it came out of it unscathed :slayer: They fixed all the jobs I asked for an more, including the clock not setting Well done Olympian Poole

 

[Stu DemonD]

Well, as soon as the manager said it needed new disks and pads, we both said about getting some decent ones on there.

One of the tech guys there has a Stilo, and uses them - so they have sourced them from a factors locally, and will fit them tomorrow! As you said, they are fitting them , so I have some comeback at least.

Ok, the warranty - basically, because it is lowered, the driveshaft is on a different angle to the normal spec - therefore, the lowering COULD have caused it to fail. Accordingly, they will wangle out of it using that excuse [can you blame them - warranty was purchased when car was spec] BUT the FIAT manager said it is still worthwhile keeping [until July 2007], and they will use it where they can in the future. [remember, it is not a FIAT warranty]

And yes, the driveshaft is expensive - but what choice do I have - I need my car, and this way I pick it up tomorrow night, all sorted

 

[Koa]

Cool, your thinking the same way as I do Stu, the most important thing is getting your car back
That garage you use sound like they are very accomodating Stu

Out of interest can I ask how much, just in case I end up in the same boat ?