Team-BHP - Fiat Uno (non PS): Car steers by itself

I am experiencing a strange problem with my steering since yesterday. Well, it is not as scary as the title sounds - but still is a major problem.

Problem- When I apply accelerator the car steers by itself to the right a little bit and when I takes my foot off from the accelerator it steers to the left.

Background- I took my car for wheel alignment and found that the front left wheel has got a very bad free play. They told me to change the steering ball joint before doing the alignment. Called the authorized dealer to hear the usual "not available" reply. So called up MyTVS all car service - spare available but only for Power Steering version. Took it to the second MyTVS in the city - They rectified that the problem is not just with steering ball joint but also with the steel rod that it connects to. They mentioned some nylon bush had got torn away some time back which caused the steel rod to wear, which in turn might have caused the tooths of it break.. etc etc - Net result - needs some leith work.

I wanted my car badly that day itself and so I took off from there and gave the car to a local workshop and did all these work the next day. They did all necessary leith work and assembled them back. The pending work is to change the left lower arm (or the bush that comes with it) - they couldnt get the spare for it.

So, can a loose lower arm can cause the problem I mentioned above - The car steers by itselves?

Please advise - on the cause and remedy.

Thanks everybody in advance.

I also have a Non PS Uno and never had any problem with the steering, but have changed the lower arms twice I think. The lower arm has a rubber bush with which it is connected to the car body and the other end handles the wheels and the suspension and steering tierod. If any of the component develop play then the steering will not be straight and steer the car in a particular direction especially when power is applied (due to unequal distribution of torque thereby activating the differential as well).

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher (Post 1277360)

The lower arm has a rubber bush with which it is connected to the car body and the other end handles the wheels and the suspension and steering tierod. If any of the component develop play then the steering will not be straight and steer the car in a particular direction especially when power is applied (due to unequal distribution of torque thereby activating the differential as well).

This seems to be a convincing cause for the issue :thumbs up. So do I have to replace the whole lower arm or can I remove just the bush in it? Anyway let me check whether the bush is available.

Thanks...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 1282375)

Have your ball joints, bushings, arms and struts checked. Something is either worn or broken.

These were verified at the local workshop but they told everything is fine including the lower arm bushes. The wheel didnt move at all when they tried to shake it. But in fact the issue was with the lower arm bushes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher (Post 1277360)

This exactly was the issue. Though in Uno, lower arm is triangular shaped in which 2 ends have bush. The ends having bush are connected to body and the other end to wheel assembly. Both the bushes were worn out (just a little). So I was very much apprehensive about the resolution when the mechanic told about replacing them. But once I test drove after fitting them back it was altogether a different story - no issues at all. Never thought such a small thing can have such a drastic impact :Shockked:.

:OT The authorized service centre would have replaced the complete lower arm for the same issue.

:thumbs upThanks everybody for your support.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abhiraj (Post 1285613)

Hey Abhiraj, good to know that your problem is solved. One thing that I have learned through my ownership of the Uno is that you really (I cannot emphasise this enough)need to know your car. Most of the normal mechanics including authorised service station don't have too much clue about the car and scarcity of spares makes the whole thing even more difficult.

Enjoy your car and happy driving

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher (Post 1287007)

I am also experiencing the same with my Palio. Although there is no toruqe steer, I could hear loud metal to metal noises when going through rough patches of roads and severe vibrations all over the body. On visual inspection, I could see the rubber bush on Front Right lower joint being worn out.
I had replaced the right and left ball joints almost 2000 kms back and it even did not hold up to 2000 kms. When I consulted with the spare parts shop, they said that its beacuse of the inappropriate method of hammering when replacing makes the joint less reliable. Both removal and insertion has to be done in a professionally qualified workshop.

btw, the ball joint comes around 450- 650 and the entire lower arm with joint comes around 1750 in local shops. The original lowerarm with joint comes around 3500 in authorised shops.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shineshine (Post 1344968)

I guess you have no option but to go the Authorised workshop or to a Fiat Specialist. Another thing that i have learnt over the years is not every mechanic is capable of fixing a Fiat because of intricate mechanisms. So take care and keep us updated.