406 coupe steering

[jakeebony]

Since buying our Peugeot 406 coupe 2.0l (January 2001 model) we noticed a slight vibration in the steering wheel and pedals. Also there is a low sounding whining noise from the engine. This happens when the car is stationary and is worse when the aircon is switched off. Turning the steering wheel whilst stationary makes no change to the volume or feel of the vibration. The car is completley standard and has covered only 43000 miles and whilst driving everything seems o.k

Anybody?


Thanks very much.

[504V6Ti]

The vibration in the steering wheel could be due to either incorrectly balanced front wheels (easily checked at any tyre place) or warped discs (again you can have this checked at any garage). Warped discs were a problem on 2nd series 406 Coupé (which yours is) but I thought it only affected the V6 with Brembo calipers. Mine has done 37,000mls and I now have terrible vibrations when I brake. I'm sure the discs are warped.

[jakeebony]

Thank you for your interest. I am not sure whether either of these things would affect the car when it is stationary. The vibration only occurs when you are not moving. There is no problem either when braking or moving the steering wheel whilst travelling. In fact it seems to go away when you move away. It is most annoying when driving through built up areas as when you stop at lights the steering wheel vibrates. Some may find this most un-annoying!!!
Thanks very much

[jakeebony]

I have been advised by a Main Dealer that this is a
'characteristic' of the 406 coupe.
I do not for a minute beleive this. Would you pay £23,000 for a car that does this from new?
They have admitted that they dont know what it is and could not be sure that it would be covered under warranty and therefore fob me off with this 'characteristic' diagnosis.

Are most mechanical items involving the steering the same on a coupe as any other petrol 406 saloon or estate?
If what they are saying is correct there must be thousands of pug 406's vibrating out there!
Has anybody else had this problem with a warranty car?

Would love to hear all your veiws on this one.
Thanks.

[horse]

I have been advised by a Main Dealer that this is a
'characteristic' of the 406 coupe.


I would'nt be suprised!!!!

[504gld]

Clutch release bearing? gearbox mainshaft? engine mountings?

[jakeebony]

Horse
I didnt really want to see that. I am shocked. Did you accept this then sell the car because it is unbearable?

504GLD
We were leaning more towards engine mountings. The other two problems I suspect they will be unable to diagnose without taking it apart. Which will presumably be at my cost!

I have booked it into another dealership 60 miles away without them knowing of any previous reports I have made about the problem. I will see what they say. Unfortunatley that is not until the 18th of this month and it is getting progressively worse. I woudnt mind but I reported it 15 hours after driving it 130 miles home after purchase.

Now then I am far from having a mechanical mind so, the clutch has a judder at the top of it's travel is or could this be linked to a clutch release bearing?

To be honest I will be gutted if this is a 'characteristic' as it spoils the car 100%

Oh by the way, when booking car into dealership miles away we briefly explained the problem and the instant response was 'what when it is standing still mmm thats a new one' Obviously a 'secret characteristic' on a need to know basis amongst technicians!!!

Please keep the responses rolling in.

Thanks very much.

[jakeebony]

Well the coupe went in today and at last we have found a competent mechanic.
It was the tickover that was too low that was making the steering vibrate. The remedie is to replace the coil, leads and plugs and re-tune. It has also been cutting out recently.
The coil and leads are covered under extended warranty bit diagnosis and plugs are not. The garage that I purchased it from are paying for this. The so called second independant report (not and engineer by the way) was completely wrong and the useless local garage was very wrong. 'CHARACTERISTIC' there is no such thing, what a cop out.
So if I can say this - never use a franchise garage with postcode CA. I am very pleased with the garage I bought from and the garage doing the work but unfortunately for us we had to travel 70miles to get there.
I won the battle in the end!