HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

[Rab]

Hi,

On my way home from Gaydon i noticed that the front n/s wheel had a vibration like it was out of balance or the tracking was out.
I have had two new front tyres fitted and all four wheels balanced on Friday i also had the tracking done and the rubber umberela type bushes replaced i think their on the anti-roll bar?
when i got home and reversed in front of my house my wife said that the n/s front wheel was catching on the front bumper as i turned the wheel aaaaaaaaarrh!!
Does anyone have a clue as to whats wrong with my car
PLEASE HELP.
Rab.

 

[Tom]

Time to get the trolley jack and a torch out and have a look.

I'm guessing they have not tightened something up. Either your track rod end has come loose, although I doubt it, or the lower suspension arm has come adrift. If they've been messing with the bushes I'd put money on the latter.

Without seeing it I can't say any more, you've gotta get the wheel off and have a look.

 

[Rab]

Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

Cheers Tom i can't look now but i'll get it jacked up tomorrow and have a good look, i'l let you know what i find.
Rab.

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

Best of luck. Time to kick your garage up the ass by the sounds of it.

 

[Rab]

Re: Re: Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

I had my car checked today and everything seems fine all the bolts are tight and in the right place, the suspension is ok, the tracking is ok the only thing we found was one of the wheels (n/s) needed slightly balancing (even though it was just balanced on Friday).
Everything is normal but the tyre is still catching on the louvres in front of the tyre(n/s only about one or two louvres)when i'm reversing with some lock on.
Does anyone have any idea what else i can look at or should i just have it checked to make sure it's mechanicaly safe then "trim" the louvres?
Rab.

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

Sounds like worn lower suspension arm bushes. How old is the car and have the arms ever been changed.

'looks fine' and 'is fine' are two very different things... the load you can apply with your hands is minute compared to the working load on the suspension.

 

[Rab]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

Thanks Tom,

Is it normal for these bushes to wear out and cause this type of fault?
And can i replace them one side at a time or is it best to replace both sides together.
Rab.

 

[Rab]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

Sorry ment to say the car is a "p" reg (dec'96) Brava.
And i have no idea if the bushes or arms have ever been replaced.

Rab.

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

They are probably shafted by now. I have a 97 P and have done both sides now.

The difference between new and old is AMAZING! I thought the old one was not that worn until I fitted the new one and discovered I really had to lean on it to move it. The old one waggled in the breeze in comparison.

Now, you can either pay 75+VAT + fitting from your local dealer OR goto Les Smiths and order:

Lower suspension arm RH (17mm pin) exc. 2.0 QSA1325S
Lower suspension arm LH (17mm pin) exc. 2.0 QSA1324S

for about £47 with the VAT and about 2hrs per arm of swearing and cursing to get them to fit. I was too lazy to unbolt the anti roll bar from the other side and it was a nightmare fitting them. If you unbolt both ends of the anti roll bar it would be much easier.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: HELP NEED URGENT ADVICE

Thanks Tom,

I will get them checked and will probably just go ahead and get them changed.
I will let you know what happens.
Thanks for all your help Tom i owe you one.

Rab.