Technical scary road handling

[George1000]

My daughter has a Fiat Seicento sporting 2001, but after hitting a curb harshly its never been the same, the garage has checked it but found nothing? it floats over the road, no grip (tryes fine)? steering is very very light and when she reverses in full turn the front drivers wheel gluncks and almost seems to turn too much. Very worried shes only 19, please can any one help?? new to this.

 

[StevenRB45]

I would suggest taking it to a different garage, preferably one with a laser tracking machine, and get them to check it over again including the steering rack.

 

[George1000]

Thank you so much for replying, but what do you think is the problem?

 

[George1000]

Sorry I should have mentioned, my daughters at Uni - no money, and i'm not too good with cars (single mum)? would really appreciate any ideas at all as to problem and cost??

 

[custard]

sounds like somthings been bent
probably the lower control arm
get a tape measure out
measure the distance between the wheel rim and the wheel arch on both sides at the front
see if theres any glaring differences

on the point of money,dont risk lives over cash
if it feels unsafe then dont allow it to be driven

 

[George1000]

I will test this thankyou, but the garage were so sure there was nothing wrong, they say they had it up on the ramp for hours checking? I didnt want to keep winging? we have spent a lot of money on the car so far, new radiator, new wheel, tyres, back wiper etc only had it for 6-months?

 

[5abr3]

Sometimes people miss the obvious with what is causing the problem, infact it may only be a problem when the car is putting pressure on the wheel, try the measuring that was advised above.

Kerbing a wheel may have bent the wheel, damaged a part of the suspension (such as the arms mentioned earlier) or even upset wheel bearings, so let's get those measurements and see what we can find

 

[George1000]

I understand, thankyou, I am sure she will be driving home tonight? so I will measure.

 

[custard]

I will test this thankyou, but the garage were so sure there was nothing wrong, they say they had it up on the ramp for hours checking? I didnt want to keep winging? we have spent a lot of money on the car so far, new radiator, new wheel, tyres, back wiper etc only had it for 6-months?

i very much doubt they spent hours looking at it

i'll get this thread moved to the cento section for better coverage

 

[George1000]

Its so nice to finally speak to people that know what they're talking about, I will definately be measuring tonight and will be back on line after work, thank you so much for your help so far!

 

[SeiSporting]

Where abouts are you?

 

[jug]

i think the first thing to check is the tracking. the light steering and lack of grip sugests the frotn wheels are toed in, which could be explained by a bent wishbone or track rod. both are common problems after hitting a kurb, but both are cheap to replace so i would not be worried about an expensive repair bill. if the steering rack is damaged that would be the worst case scenario in terms of cost and difficulty to repair, but it is unlikely that the rack is damaged.

 

[George1000]

South oxfordshire?

 

[Hellcat]

As above, but remember to remind your daughter to take it easy if she has to drive it home.

 

[George1000]

Had the tracking checked as we had to replace one of the alloy wheels front passenger side, but the problem now seems bad road grip, seems better when its got a full tank of petrol? and the right front drivers side wheel really knocks and bows in? when doing a tight turn?

 

[SeiSporting]

Ah if you were in yorkshire i would have come had a look

 

[George1000]

Wow, I wish I was! thankyou so much.

 

[George1000]

Sorry "cento" how?

 

[Hellcat]

Sorry "cento" how?

pardon?

 

[George1000]

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