22 · Diagnostics

Steering hard / (steering in both directions)

Make: Fiat
Model: 500 Factory Service Manual
Year: 2007–2024
Section: Steering – vehicle behaviour › Steering hard / (steering in both directions)

‹ Prev Excessive rolling/pitching - at rear Next › Steering hard / (in one direction only)

Fault diagnosisSteering hard / (steering in both directions)

STEERING HARD / (STEERING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS)

1.2 8v, 1.3 Multijet, 1.4 16v

1	STEERING COLUMN CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
		Test results
	Raise the vehicle at the front. Check the rotation of the steering column by disconnecting it from the steering	Move on to Step 2	Steering column hard	Replace the steering column Op. 4110A30 SUPPORT WITH STEERING CONTROL SHAFTS - R+R
2	RACK COLUMN CLEARANCE CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check the pinion-rack clearance with the steering column detached and the wheels straight	Move on to Step 3	Rack and pinion clearance too large	Replace the steering box
3	BOOT CONDITION CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Remove the front wheels and the steering heads from the hub. Check the condition of the boots	Move on to Step 4	Gaiters broken	Lubricate the steering and replace the gaiters
4	CHECK ON RACK SLIDING	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check the sliding of the rack	Move on to Step 5	Steering hard	Replace the guide Op. 4120A10 STEERING BOX - R+R - CHECK WHEEL TOE-IN IF NECESSARY SEPARATELY
5	BUSH - RACK RADIAL CLEARANCE CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check the bush - rack radial clearance. Check the fastening of the steering box	Move on to Step 6	1. Excessive clearance 2. Fastening loose	1. Replace the guide Op. 4120A10 STEERING BOX - R+R - CHECK WHEEL TOE-IN IF NECESSARY SEPARATELY 2. Tighten the pins to torque.
6	STEERING LINK JOINTS CLEARANCE CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check the clearance of the steering link joints	Move on to Step 7	Joints seized or with clearance	Replace the steering links Op. 4110B10 STEERING LINKS - R+R ON VEHICLE - CHECK TOE-IN/TOE-OUT SEPARATELY
7	HARDENING/BINDING CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check that there is no hardening/binding by rotating the hubs	Move on to Step 8	1. Shock absorber support bearing seized 2. Clearance in the joint	1. Replace the shock absorber support bearing 2. Replace the lower wishbone Op. 4410B40 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM (WITH BALLJOINT) FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION (ONE) - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY
8	STEERING WHEEL RETURN CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Refit all the components removed. Test the vehicle and check that the steering wheel return is correct	Move on to Step 9	Steering wheel return poor	Adjust the caster angle Op. 4450A10 FRONT WHEEL GEOMETRY - CHECK USING OPTICAL EQUIPMENT - INCLUDES ADJUSTMENT IF NECESSARY
9	CHECK ON SLIDING AND FASTENING OF RACK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check the sliding of the rack. Check the bush-rack radial clearance. Check the fastening of the steering box.	Move on to Step 10	1. Steering hard 2. Excessive clearance 3. Fastening loose	1.Replace the steering Op. 4120A10 STEERING BOX - R+R - CHECK WHEEL TOE-IN IF NECESSARY SEPARATELY 2.Replace the steering Op. 4120A10 STEERING BOX - R+R - CHECK WHEEL TOE-IN IF NECESSARY SEPARATELY 3.Tighten the steering box fastening pins to torque
10	STEERING LINK JOINTS CLEARANCE CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check the clearance of the steering link joints	Move on to Step 11	Joints seized or with clearance	Replace the rods Op. 4110B10 STEERING LINKS - R+R ON VEHICLE - CHECK TOE-IN/TOE-OUT SEPARATELY
11	HARDENING/BINDING CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check that there is no hardening/binding by rotating the hubs	Move on to Step 12	Clearance in the joint	Replace the joint Op. 4410B40 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM (WITH BALLJOINT) FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION (ONE) - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY
12	STEERING WHEEL RETURN CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Refit all the components detached: Test the vehicle and check that the steering wheel returns correctly	End of diagnosis	Steering wheel return poor	Restore front wheel geometry Op. 4450A10 FRONT WHEEL GEOMETRY - CHECK USING OPTICAL EQUIPMENT - INCLUDES ADJUSTMENT IF NECESSARY

‹ Prev Excessive rolling/pitching - at rear Next › Steering hard / (in one direction only)

Parts & tools for this job For 2007 Fiat 500

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