Fiat Punto Power Steering

[trastevere]

About a year ago the electrically operated power steering kept failing. This was always prececed by a tinny rattling noise from within the steering column housing and slight vibration could be felt on the steering wheel. On restarting the engine the Power Steering would be ok for varying lengths of time. By the way, the owners manual states that it is perfectly safe to drive without steering assistance. I did a bit of googling and found out that if the power steering was faulty, the whole steering column assembly had to be replaced at a cost of �600-�800. Anyway, after about two weeks of playing up, the power steering mysteriously cured itself and has been fine for almost a year until a couple of days ago. I can't travel more than a couple of miles without it failing. I can learn to live with it but I'm afraid its my wife's car and she won't tolerate it.The car is X reg ELX model with 45,000 miles on clock. Value is about �2,000 so I'd need to think carefully about spending around 40% of car's value just to have power steering. Has anyone any ideas?

[homer75]

You can get refurbished exchange units for around �200 should be all that expensive to have it fitted if you can find a tame mechanic.

[adetay]

it would also have to be fixed for an mot as that would be a failure (unless to worked long enough for the test)

[trastevere]

Seems to be ok again but I'll keep my fingers crossed.