2003 Punto screeching noise at speed

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aadamson81 - 12 Jan 2007 22:25 GMT

Hello,
My 2003 Punto starts to make a screeching noise when driving at speed
after about 20 minutes or so. The noise is really high pitched and
very loud but seems to stop when feathering the brake pedal (which is
not ideal on a motorway) or lightly turning the steering wheel from
side to side (again, not ideal).
Please Help!

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Paul Halliday - 13 Jan 2007 13:29 GMT

> Hello,
> My 2003 Punto starts to make a screeching noise when driving at speed
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> side to side (again, not ideal).
> Please Help!

How's your power-steering fluid level?

Paul

1999 FIAT Punto Sporting 16V (Mk1)
... and some SAABs :)

http://saab.go.dyndns.org

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Nick ///// - 13 Jan 2007 19:05 GMT

Hmmmm

Seem to recall that all Punto's only ever have "Dual Drive TM" electric
power steering. Could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time)

Having said this it costs nothing to check under the bonnet so I suggest
that this is done

Nick /////

> How's your power-steering fluid level?
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> http://saab.go.dyndns.org

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Paul Halliday - 13 Jan 2007 20:59 GMT

> Hmmmm
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Having said this it costs nothing to check under the bonnet so I suggest
> that this is done

Prior to e-steer (which admittedly, I don't know much about), the pump was
drive by a belt. With a low fluid level, at speed, the pump was known to
start graunching, which could be corrected by wiggling the steering wheel.

Now I don't know whether this applies to later cars; MK2 and beyond, or
whether it could apply to some cars from those ranges, but as you say, it
couldn't hurt to have a look.

If nothing comes of it, then hopefully someone else has a suggestion.

Paul

1999 FIAT Punto Sporting 16V (Mk1)
... and some SAABs :)

http://saab.go.dyndns.org

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E-Cie - 13 Jan 2007 23:02 GMT

> in article 45a92d92$0$8718$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net, Nick
> /////
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> http://saab.go.dyndns.org

All nuova Punto's MkII (from 2000) do have Dualdrive electric powersteering,
so lack of fluid seems to be out of the question here. Like Nick, I also can
be wrong but I own my second MkII Punto Sporting now and both do (did) have
electric powersteering.
I'm not sure, but reading OP's posting I think it could be a sticky
(front)brakepad or likewise. I recall one of my Punto's did have this once;
steering or (light) braking stopped the squeeking sound for a short time but
it wouldn't solve the problem. Cleaning the brakes did. Again, I'm not sure;
I'm not a mechanic, just love Italian cars.
Ciao, E-Cie

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EnTee - 14 Jan 2007 20:07 GMT

>> in article 45a92d92$0$8718$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net, Nick
>> /////
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> I'm not sure; I'm not a mechanic, just love Italian cars.
> Ciao, E-Cie

I agree with E-Cie, but it could also be a almost worn out brakepad in
combination
with a worn out disk.( disk with grooves). Or a smal pebbel is stuck in the
brakepad.
I own a 1998 Punto Sporting (Mk I) with an oilpump powersteering.
And i'm also not a mechanic, and i also love Italian cars.
Vespa Ciao, Nico

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Nick ///// - 14 Jan 2007 21:09 GMT

If I'm given a chassis number (last eight digists) then I can probably
definitively say what the power steering arrangement is.

Year boundairies are too vague. Most manufacturers go on year and week
number. One has a 1 in 52 opportunity to get it wrong.

Nick /////

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