Strange Fiat Coupe steering issue
Discussion
Hi all, hoping someone can point me in the right direction before I have to start rolling around on the ground under MrsC's 2000 Fiat Coupe 20VT Plus.
I was driving it last weekend, exited a main road via a slip road, and halfway up the sliproad the steering wheel suddenly started juddering from side to side really violently - I'd say probably 3" of movement in either direction. I was right by a petrol station so I pulled in, checked everything I could do a visual on, and found nothing, so I drove along the road slowly and it all seemed fine again. I put it down to something on the road surface. Got home from there, about 40 miles, without it happening again.
However, she was driving it yesterday and has told me that the same thing happened, twice. Prior to this I drove it about 50 miles yesterday morning with no problem. She then did a similar distance and got within 3 miles of home when this happened.
I have perhaps one idea why could be causing this but I'll wait for other opinions rather than planting ideas! It passed the MOT first time in December with no advisories, so it would be strange if it were something like a knackered inner or outer track rod end so soon after.
All suggestions most welcome, thanks!
I was driving it last weekend, exited a main road via a slip road, and halfway up the sliproad the steering wheel suddenly started juddering from side to side really violently - I'd say probably 3" of movement in either direction. I was right by a petrol station so I pulled in, checked everything I could do a visual on, and found nothing, so I drove along the road slowly and it all seemed fine again. I put it down to something on the road surface. Got home from there, about 40 miles, without it happening again.
However, she was driving it yesterday and has told me that the same thing happened, twice. Prior to this I drove it about 50 miles yesterday morning with no problem. She then did a similar distance and got within 3 miles of home when this happened.
I have perhaps one idea why could be causing this but I'll wait for other opinions rather than planting ideas! It passed the MOT first time in December with no advisories, so it would be strange if it were something like a knackered inner or outer track rod end so soon after.
All suggestions most welcome, thanks!
Hi Magoo. I tried on FCCUK but got no replies yet.
Thing is, it only does this for a short time then goes back to normal. Here's my theory (well I have to admit, MrsC planted the seeds of this): I think perhaps one of the front callipers is sticking, so, when you brake reasonably hard, eg coming off a motorway, the caliper binds and that action causes the wheel to grab and to jerk the steering wheel. Once it eases off (or cools down and releases), the problem goes away, until the next time you hit the brakes hard. What do you think?
Thing is, it only does this for a short time then goes back to normal. Here's my theory (well I have to admit, MrsC planted the seeds of this): I think perhaps one of the front callipers is sticking, so, when you brake reasonably hard, eg coming off a motorway, the caliper binds and that action causes the wheel to grab and to jerk the steering wheel. Once it eases off (or cools down and releases), the problem goes away, until the next time you hit the brakes hard. What do you think?
A possibility for sure. Easy enough job to check. You may see a sign if you just pop the pads out and have a look with a torch around the piston seals.
Maybe get the mrs to slowly pump each side and take a look how the pistons move.
Not so quick replies on the forum these days I'm afraid.
Maybe get the mrs to slowly pump each side and take a look how the pistons move.
Not so quick replies on the forum these days I'm afraid.
CAPP0 said:
Would it do it so very intermittently though Nigel? Must admit I'm struggling for clues. But if I don't get it fixed then she'll be nicking my new (to me) FFRR all the time!
CV joint problems can be intermittent, depending on temperature - if the grease is thin, due to heat, the problem may be more noticeableBinding brakes is definitely enough to give vibrations through the car (I've warped enough Coupe brakes to know...), but I would be surprised if it would give enough kick to wobble the steering as you describe. By the time you've got vibrations, the discs will be showing obvious signs of overheating (usually "blueing" in spots around the circumference of the disc).
However, it does sound more like brakes than driveshafts - I would be tempted to check how tight the pads are in the calipers, especially the inner pad, which gets a lot hotter than the outer. If they are tight when cold, they will be absolutely solid when hot, meaning the pads will stay in hard contact with the disc (which heats everything up even further and compounds the problem). Pull the pad out and grind off a bit at a time until you have about 0.5mm - 1mm of free play.
Also check the condition of the stainless steel pad guides - they get corrosion underneath and lift the guides, jamming the pads. Fixing this is a royal PITA - much easier to grind the pads!
Well just to update. It went into a local garage today (a proper garage, not a "remove this whole item from the car and replace with a new item"), a garage which I have used, albeit mostly for MOTs, for at least 30 years, so they know me quite well.
They've driven it and been all over the front end and can't find anything more than a broken ABS/brake wear holding bracket and a few extra PSI in the front tyres. Driveshafts and CV joints all OK and holding grease.
The only thing they didn't dive into was the calipers but they don't think that could be the culprit. That said I might overhaul them at the weekend anyway, if only to rule them out.
So I'm properly stuck now.
They've driven it and been all over the front end and can't find anything more than a broken ABS/brake wear holding bracket and a few extra PSI in the front tyres. Driveshafts and CV joints all OK and holding grease.
The only thing they didn't dive into was the calipers but they don't think that could be the culprit. That said I might overhaul them at the weekend anyway, if only to rule them out.
So I'm properly stuck now.
I'm wondering about the abs. I had a severe shake once when the coupe was in stock form when on track under heavy braking,it nearly shook the wheel out of my hands.
Since then everything on my coupe has been changed and upgraded.
It will be interesting to see what you find on the calipers etc.
Since then everything on my coupe has been changed and upgraded.
It will be interesting to see what you find on the calipers etc.
magooagain said:
Any outcome on this Cappo?
Well, further to the above, I ended up overhauling the front callipers (not a terrible job, as it goes), not least because I was all out of other ideas. It's been used since by both of us and has yet to repeat the issue, although to be fair it was pretty random previously. Mostly after a long-ish journey but not exclusively. She's doing a long run in it tomorrow so we'll see what that shows up. magooagain said:
Hopefully that's it sorted now. Did you push the Pistons forward to inspect?
Took them all out completely. None of them were marked although the dust seals were ropey. So it had all new seals and dust seals and all pistons cleaned up. Incidentally the FCCUK how-to says you need to split the calipers, but you absolutely don’t need to, there’s plenty of space to get the pistons out and to change the seals.
CAPP0 said:
Took them all out completely. None of them were marked although the dust seals were ropey. So it had all new seals and dust seals and all pistons cleaned up.
Incidentally the FCCUK how-to says you need to split the calipers, but you absolutely don’t need to, there’s plenty of space to get the pistons out and to change the seals.
Sounds as if it may have been something else then. Let's hope not and its problem solved.Incidentally the FCCUK how-to says you need to split the calipers, but you absolutely don’t need to, there’s plenty of space to get the pistons out and to change the seals.
Yes I wondered about the caliper splitting,maybe whoever wrote the how to was being cautious .
I'm about to install bigger Alfa calipers on the track coupe. As you probably know it opens up a new world of expense.
I've got the calipers and 17" rims . Now it's discs,pads and new wheel bolts all round and of course 17" semi slicks to be bought.
Well, I spoke too soon. She's halfway to Suffolk and just called me to say it's done it again.
So now I'm properly at a loss. Also, whilst it does have *some* value being a late 20VT Plus, it's got high miles and the body isn't in the finest of condition. So I don't want to start throwing thousands of pounds at it.
But right now I don't know where to start.
So now I'm properly at a loss. Also, whilst it does have *some* value being a late 20VT Plus, it's got high miles and the body isn't in the finest of condition. So I don't want to start throwing thousands of pounds at it.
But right now I don't know where to start.
I've just re read the thread. I think the car needs looking at by someone that really knows thier way about the coupe.
You might be lucky and get Roger to look at it,I presume he's nearest to you. Otherwise it's one of the others.
As you say,it's allready been looked over but something is going on.
I'm clutching at straws but give the suspension springs a good look over and top mounts.
Good luck with it.
You might be lucky and get Roger to look at it,I presume he's nearest to you. Otherwise it's one of the others.
As you say,it's allready been looked over but something is going on.
I'm clutching at straws but give the suspension springs a good look over and top mounts.
Good luck with it.
You're right, I need someone else to look at it now. MrsC is of the mind that she wants it fixed and she'll pay what it needs. I'll speak to Roger during the week but I don't know whether he'll take it on now? I don't even know whether he does cam belts these days?
If not then who are the others? Are there two in the Midlands somewhere? I've always gone to Roger over the past 20 years or so and was only thinking recently that both ours probably need cam belts by now.
If not then who are the others? Are there two in the Midlands somewhere? I've always gone to Roger over the past 20 years or so and was only thinking recently that both ours probably need cam belts by now.
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