Climbing a boulder

[PCshedman]

My brief (two weeks) Fabia ownership has proved fragile to say the least. I bought a 2002 MPi for my wife with the knowledge that it needed a cv joint.  After a very noisy drive home I realised it needed a wheel bearing as well-both on passenger's side. Bought from a breakers and fitted. by local garage. As you may have read in another thread, steering wheel now at the 'ten past' position to go straight and big resistance to turning left when near or at full lock. It feels like I am driving against the brakes or attempting to climb a rock or boulder-as though it is forcing its way. This, combined with a newly-developed rolling ticking by a probable seizing calliper on the same wheel is making me think GOODBYE.

Now several people have come up with ideas and been very helpful Thank you all sincerely. But somehow there must be a rescue plan out there. The bodywork, engine, clutch etc are all fine-a shame. To scrap or not-has Feb 2018 MOT?

[TMB]

You need someone who understands cars to sort it out. The suspension/steering on the Fabia is no more complicated than any other car of the same age. In fact it's pretty straightforward. Something is not right but we can't fix it over the internet. If I had your car I would have it sorted in no time.

[PCshedman]

Agreed-clearly the local garage are not capable of that and charged me three hours labour to fit the driveshaft and hub. They must be good at making money, however. But am thinking this is good money after bad and there must be an easy answer to the climbing a boulder/locked brakes syndrome.

[TMB]

One of the brake caliper pistons might be seized or the caliper is not sliding properly on the pins - it's not an unusual problem.

 

This is what I would go through if I was looking at your car...

 

Is there any play at the front wheels with car jacked up and suspension hanging (wheels rocked horizontally and vertically)?

Is the steering rack centralised and turning freely with car jacked up?

Are all bushes in good condition?

Are the tyres OK?

Are the struts, springs and top mounts OK?

Does anything look bent/misaligned?

Are the brakes binding?

Is the PAS fluid full?

Are there any obvious PAS leaks?

Are the drop links OK?

Is the wheel alignment OK? (I use my own tracking gauge).

 

These checks would allow me to diagnose any issues. If you can't do this yourself you are unfortunately at the mercy of other people - some of whom are idiots it has to be said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 16 August, 2017 by TMB

[TMB]

How many miles has it done?

[PCshedman]

I can do some of these myself. I know it had a tyre changed and that it sets off fine in a straight line. No difficulty turning the steering lock to lock when stationary-only when going forwards or reverse. There is slight binding evident when driven. Passed MOT with no warnings 2000 miles ago. Local garage said he thinks the car is twisted after a bump sometime previous but before he worked on it steering wheel was straight and no lock-up.

[PCshedman]

Its done 83000 miles

[TMB]

Obviously I don't know if the body is twisted but If the wheel was straight before he worked on it then it can only be related to what he has done to it.

[PCshedman]

Quite. But he pointed out that he could not get it right and does not know where the fault lies so pointless going back (EVER!!!). Clearly only used to doing straightforward work. Might look for a local Skoda specialist who knows the car. But this is becoming uneconomic. I know I was lucky with the last two banger cars I had as no significant problems but this seems the exception.

[TMB]

Well not sure what makes him think that the car is twisted but if he is right it will never be right. He might be only saying that because he can't be bothered to fix it properly. I dunno.

[PCshedman]

True -he clearly is looking for an excuse. Now I think I will check the fluid level anyway. Could you get the cap off using a small mole-grip instead of battery removal?

[TMB]

Well I know I couldn't do that on my Fabia as I don't think you can even see the cap with the battery box fitted. There is a small dipstick on the cap so you need enough room to get that out. I think you would struggle tbh.

[PCshedman]

Yes you are right-thanks!

[TMB]

Sorry you're having this experience with your Fabia. They are basically a VW Polo and are decent little cars. Hope you can get it sorted out.  Buying an old car is always a bit of a gamble.

[PCshedman]

yes it always will be but the annoying bit is having bought parts, had them fitted (clearly by an incompetent) and seem to be going down a narrow tunnel.  Got away with a cheap purchase many times, only one other dire purchase was a 2.5 Subaru Legacy as head gasket went after a couple of months.

Am sure the Fabia is a fine car -had a mate who had two but then changed to Kia C'eeds. Will keep trying a bit longer and thanks so much for your help. Up the Boro and Horden and Peterlee Rugby Club!

[TMB]

You are welcome.  I don't like sport though

[skomaz]

sounds to me like the cv joint hasnt been fitted properly onto te driveshaft and is therefor causing everything to bind up as its out of alignment and tat it gets worse with lock on

[PCshedman]

I bought a complete driveshaft second-hand with cv joints in situ, mate,

[skomaz]

is the driveshaft fully home in the gearbox though?  ive come across issues previously where it doesnt go fully home so everything (hub, brakes,whell etc.) then ends of offset outwards from where it should be.

[PCshedman]

Can't confirm as entrusted job to a local garage but it seems a possibility.

To be honest, am sick of this car and seriously considering scrapping it

[skomaz]

not really the car's fault though if an incompetent mechanic has wrecked it...

[PCshedman]

That's true. It's going back later today or tomorrow. Have just taken it out for a test run . Could live with not straight steering wheel but major fault is turning left on full lock-its as if it disengages drive for a second or two and is 'forcing' itself-back-off the lock a bit and it is fine. Wonder if it dragging the right wheel at full lock. Rest of the time-turning right, straight ahead, not full lock turning left its drives ok

[TMB]

Sounds like the wheel alignment is massively out to me.

[PCshedman]

Well the car returned today from the local garage with the story that they could do nothing as it was all down to a previous accident in 2011. They say the car was re-aligned to a bent hub and now that a straight one has been fitted it turns too far when on left lock!!

Yarn or not? If not could a new bearing be put in the bent hub?