Symptoms of these Issues.

[CraigW]

I hope people can help me with the following. What would the symptoms be for the following issues:

1. Unbalanced Wheels
2. Sticky Front Brake
3. Sticky Rear Brake Shoe
4. Worn Wishbone bushes
5. Worn Suspension components (including struts/coilovers)
6. Front wheel bearing needing replacing

Basically my problem is hard to describe, the easiest way is that the car feels unbalanced especially over bumps in the road etc and is really bad in the wind.

So I am trying to figure out what is causing it by removing things that I think it could be.

Cheers.

 

[jon_boi_91]

1. Unbalanced Wheels
2. Sticky Front Brake
3. Sticky Rear Brake Shoe
4. Worn Wishbone bushes
5. Worn Suspension components (including struts/coilovers)
6. Front wheel bearing needing replacing

1-vibrations through the steering wheel at speed, faster you go, worse it gets.
2-not sure you would feel it unless its really badly sticking, if so, it would pull to one side or the other
3- same as 2 /\
4- could feel if upon acceleration, may pull from side to side and the car could in effect feel loose.
topmounts (like mine) knock when braking and accelerating and when turning in quickly, also feels sketchy when braking, pulls from left to right.
5- wheel bearing would make a droning noise, faster you go, the more drone you get

 

[jon_boi_91]

might be worth checking the rear axle bushes

 

[allias]

Sounds like general driveability issues. Worth checking suspension parts all over. Including rear beam bushes. Worn, broken, torn or missing pieces will cause most of those issues. Car might feel unbalanced (weight wise and comfort as well) and be all over the road if any parts would have play. Even wrong alignment/geometry could cause that but first its worth checking suspension problems in general.

How many miles you have on it? What was done so far?

 

[jcs356]

1 & 2 can also be checked by going for a gentle drive where you're trying to not use the brakes, come to a stop and stick your hand close to the disk/drum. If it's very hot / much hotter than the other side of that axle then it's sticking.

 

[CraigW]

I am going to give the car a look over and check suspension etc at some point when it is light as just now I go to/from work in the dark and cant really see that much.

If it helps, car has nearly 140k on the clock, serviced every year (have EVERY receipt to back this up) and never waited on parts etc.

Another problem to add is to do with the steering, sometimes you can turn the wheel and it seems rather tight etc then you put it back to centre then steer the opposite way it seems loose.

 

[allias]

Another problem to add is to do with the steering, sometimes you can turn the wheel and it seems rather tight etc then you put it back to centre then steer the opposite way it seems loose.

That problem will be down to possible power steering pump or alignment issue.

 

[CraigW]

That problem will be down to possible power steering pump or alignment issue.

I did think along those lines with that problem. I know the fluid level is ok as I checked that last weekend. Could it be that the belt is a little tight or something?

 

[allias]

If it would be pump it would be very irregular and hard to diagnose. Ive seen few times when steering rack was damaged and fluid wasnt pumping right one way but that usually comes with loss of fluid at the same time. I doubt it would be your case but since we discuss that I mentioned it.

Most of times difference of steering responce going opposite sides is down to massive difference in caster (something bent or realy badly loose) or opposite values in camber (one side positive - other negetive) what create different forces on suspension angles. Thats way it feels different right to left.

This is why is so important to look on alignment/tracking as a check of all primery angles: camber, caster, toe, total toe, thrust angle. Tracking is just toe and that is not enough to fix driving problems. Even more important is to check suspension problems before you carry out alignment. Geometry check/adjustment is worthless if you have any loose parts as under load of driving your suspension will be changing creating pull, uneven tyre wear, poor handling or road wondering.

1. Suspension check first - max £30
2. Elimination of all possible loose/damaged parts - can be expensive
3. Full 4 wheel alignment/geometry and adjustment - £50-120
4. Pleasure of driving your toy as it would be a new car - PRICELESS!!!

 

[CraigW]

Driving home from work today in heavy rain the car was terrible. Didnt even feel comfortable taking it past 50mph.

Going to have to try and look at it over the weekend but the car is getting the exhaust done next week so I will get it checked over while its in.

 

[CraigW]

Had the car checked over today and the only thing that could be found was that the rear axle bushes are needing replaced. Going to get those changed then take it from there.

 

[allias]

I bet you going to find big imporvement