Fiat Punto problems- Manchester

mikeyboy

Hello,

I hope someone can advise..

We have a W reg (2000) 1.2 8V Fiat Punto.

It flew through its MOT in April and also had a full service a month back and no issues came up.

Over the last two weeks we have noticed a knocking noise, especially when going over speedbumps/rough surfaces. Its even worse if there is a passenger or heavy load.

I have looked at the exhaust and its secure and no movement there, the seat backs in the rear are all secure as is the spare wheel.

We are really tight for cash but worry we are going to get an even bigger bill if we dont nip this in the bud now.

Does anyone have any ideas? I am not particularly mechanically minded... so any recommendations for someone affordable in Manchester area who could look at this would be great.

Thanks!

custardy

front or rear?

mikeyboy

custardy wrote: »

front or rear?

Sorry, I forgot to add that!!! doh!

It's coming from the back

custardy

could be a snapped spring
given it just had an MOT/service i would expect thm to hAve raised any worn bushes/bearings

mikeyboy

Thanks Custardy.

Have been out and had a look at the rear springs, they all look OK, cannot see any visible cracks. They are a little rusty though.

I think I need to get it to someone who knows what they are doing, just worried about the cost :-(

thefishdude

is it from the back of the car ? is it worse when there is a load in the back ?
and do you hear the npise more likely when you are accelerating away?

also have you had any work done to the exhaust recently?

one common problem on the mk2 punto is the rear exhaust rubbing on the rear axle, the exhaust goes up over an back down the other side of the rear axle beam kinda like a "n" shape if the back box is slightly out of place ie to far to wards back of car or to far to front when rear suspension compresses the rear axle beam comes into contact with the exhaust making a bump/creak sound as it scrapes it.

Tilt

I have a mk2 HGT (same year). As the Fishdude says, it was the exhaust back box on mine which caused the knocking noise. (There will be some movement on the exhaust by the way as it is secured by rubber brackets) Is it louder when you turn in one direction?

mikeyboy

thefishdude wrote: »

is it from the back of the car ? is it worse when there is a load in the back ?
and do you hear the npise more likely when you are accelerating away?

also have you had any work done to the exhaust recently?

one common problem on the mk2 punto is the rear exhaust rubbing on the rear axle, the exhaust goes up over an back down the other side of the rear axle beam kinda like a "n" shape if the back box is slightly out of place ie to far to wards back of car or to far to front when rear suspension compresses the rear axle beam comes into contact with the exhaust making a bump/creak sound as it scrapes it.

Hi thefishdude,

Yes its from the back of the car and worse when heavy.

Yes its noticed mainly when slowing down to go over a bump and then when accelerating off again.

What needs replacing? is this a big job? I am not really very practical with this sort of thing

How much should this cost at a garage?

Thanks for your help here, appreciate it!

mikeyboy

Opps, forgot to add. Not had any exhaust work done in the time we have had it.

mikeyboy

Tilt wrote: »

I have a mk2 HGT (same year). As the Fishdude says, it was the exhaust back box on mine which caused the knocking noise. (There will be some movement on the exhaust by the way as it is secured by rubber brackets) Is it louder when you turn in one direction?

Thanks Tilt.

It doesnt seem any more or less noticeable when turning in any particular direction.

Silk

mikeyboy wrote: »

Thanks Custardy.

Have been out and had a look at the rear springs, they all look OK, cannot see any visible cracks. They are a little rusty though.

I think I need to get it to someone who knows what they are doing, just worried about the cost :-(

I agree with the chaps ..exhaust rubber snapped

Go out to the car and shake the tail pipe about and see if it seems loose and you can get it to make the noise

If not get back to me