Fiat has released a technical service bulletin that addresses an annoyance some owners of 2012 -2015 Fiat 500 hatchback and Cabrio have been experiencing. Fiat owners may have noticed an occasional noise or clunk while turning the steering wheel. This can happen when the car is sitting still and the driver turns the steering wheel left and right or when driving slowly and doing the same maneuver.
The sound manifests itself as a clunking, popping, or knocking noise emanating from the lower steering column while turning the steering wheel. If this is the case, the fix involves replacing the steering intermediate shaft. It is a simple repair that normally requires about a half hour to complete on most 500 models and just over an hour on 500e all-electric vehicles.
Contact your Fiat dealer for more details.
Fiat Technical Bulletin number: 19-002-15: Clunking Noise From The Steering Column While Turning The Steering Wheel
Solution:Replacing the steering intermediate shaft.
Models effected:
2012 - 2015 (FF) Fiat 500
NOTE:Applies to vehicles built on or after January 1, 2012 (MDH
0101XX) and on or before March 24, 2015 (MDH 0324XX).
Problem:
Clunking, popping, knocking noise from the lower steering column while turning the steering wheel.
Note: Your there are specific procedures the dealer will have to perform to verify the issue.
Replacement part number:
1 68105066AE - Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Kit
(includes fasteners)
Read more:
Source: FCA
4 comments:
Took my 2013 Fiat 500 Sport in for this issue. The occasional clunk sound was minor and intermittent, but annoying. They replaced the intermediate steering column shaft as per the service bulletin. Got the car back and the problem became worse! Now it clunks 100% of the time at the slightest turn of the steering wheel and the steering column even rattles when driving on a bumpy road or turning into driveway. Took car back to Fiat this morning where the actual mechanic reviewed the issue. He agreed there was a problem, but not sure what it was. We'll see what happens this time around.
Is there a safety issue if it is not replaced?
Is there a safety issue if it is not replaced?
As far as I'm aware of, it is considered an annoyance issue. If you drove forever with it, a guess is eventually there might be a slight increase in free play. Many people spray White Lithium grease up in there and that seems to quiet the noise for a period of time. Stop by the forum for more info on this.
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