Car feels unsteady

[RoccoGTII]

Hi,

A while ago a garage tried to resolve a problem and failed. So I put up with the problem till now. Just had the front wheels realigned (adjusted) and wheels are balanced ok and tyre pressures are good too.

Having looked at the tyre wear, the camber on the left front looks like its running more on the inside of the tyre (how can this be?). The right tyre seems to run ok and wear ok too. When driving the car pulls on uneven road. When breaking the car is a little unsteady with movement in the steering which is not normal. had the car 10 years and you kinda know when things have changed....

Can anyone advise?

[monzajake]

Have you checked all the ball joints wishbone bushes for wear ? How are the top strut mounts ?
Some times it can be one of the above that is failing or quite simply a tyre pressure is lower or high then the other side.

[RoccoGTII]

Cheers for feedback.

Looking back at my bills i've not had the ball joints wishbone bushes or top strut mounts replaced. I've had front lower arm mounts and anto roll bar bushes replaced - is that the same thing?? This was done at the garage when it all felt wrong when i drove away (i vowed not to go back they were that bad - even to fix what they broke).

[monzajake]

"lower arms " i guess that what they would call wishbones. So yes. Check the 19mm bolts that hold them in. If you look under the car behind the sump to the left & right your see then either side. Check for tightness, along with the anti roll bar mounts located on top of the wishbones and at the back of them.

I would recomend top mounts the free play cause probs / wobble

[RoccoGTII]

Great, will check this out at the w/e along with the water etc.....

cheers dude

[Nate]

Having looked at the tyre wear, the camber on the left front looks like its running more on the inside of the tyre

don't entirely understand this. do you mean that the tyre is wearing around the inside edge like this?



if so, that is more likely to be tracking than camber. if a tyre is wearing on the inside edge, that means that the wheel has too much toe out. if it wears on the outside edge there is too much toe in.

how have you had the tracking done? 4 wheel laser job or a 2 wheel optical or mechanical one? i've found that a 2 wheel alignment was usually more successful on my rocco

[RoccoGTII]

Greetings
Had the tracking done a month ago. Tyre wear is limited as I don't use the car much - however looking at the tyre its going the way of that one in the photo. Its going the garage next Friday to be sort. Going to get all the bushes replaced.

Question - Does anyone get a knocking noise when you slightly turn the steering wheel back and forth without actually move the front wheels. Sounds like its coming from the engine (derr!). Wondering if this needs looking at also or if this is normal?

Background - when I took the car to get a prob fixed i.e. front offside wheel wobbled, they did someone to upset the balance. Took it back and they said "you got some camber there mate and should ride better" - never been the same since. Due to not using the car much, i put up with it!!!

Should go the Phirm on 4th Oct and book up appointment to see them. Wow, these cars can eat up the money - will show the receipts one day from all the work i have done since i owned it!

Ill bee so happy when all these issues are resolved -

[monzajake]

Question - Does anyone get a knocking noise when you slightly turn the steering wheel back and forth without actually move the front wheels. Sounds like its coming from the engine (derr!). Wondering if this needs looking at also or if this is normal?
Sounds like a bit of free play in the rack.. There will be a small knocking from there tho.

Should go the Phirm on 4th Oct and book up appointment to see them.

I would sounds like you got issuses that really do need to be seen and heard from an eye of experiance. Altho we can all give you advise on a computer the best advise is by looking and feeling.Take it to the lads and let them work some magic, will be the best cash you spend on your car.

[walkinginperu]

How did the work at the Phirm go? Any more steady now?

[Nate]

wobble in the steering wheel that doesn't make it to the wheels is most likely to be the track rod ends worn, although it could be the rack, column uj's or column bushes.

i'll still stand by what i've said before that you most likely have a problem with tracking, not camber.

[RoccoGTII]

Cheers for that diagnosis.......(will check this out)

Car passed MoT today without any probs. They looked, and checked the tracking and they said it was ok. I've still got the original springs and shocks on the front since owning the car (10 years) so think I ought to invest in some new ones - standard or more sporty (lower) is the question? comes down to cash and durability i guess. Hopefully ill find the cure ! Or it might just be me

cheers for all the advice chaps