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The Dreaded Steering Shake

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:14 pm
by LeeFallon
Okay, okay. I've read the threads and it appears that the guys who fitted my new steering linkages had no idea what they were doing. And neither did I. Can somebody please give me a potted set of instructions to give them when I take it back next week? On it's wheels, under load, torque settings etc.? OR point me to a comprehensive thread? I fear my classic car foresight has faded during my '98 Mini Cooper years... research, research, research. :oops:

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:17 pm
by horsetan
Lee:

At what points are you getting the shakes?

Under braking? Under acceleration? When you hold the car in a certain speed range, e.g. 52-57mph?

Nailed

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:18 pm
by LeeFallon
Yep. 52 - 57 sounds spot on. Your diagnosis is frighteningly accurate...

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:50 am
by Chris Wright
You mean the front is shaking after new bushes were installed? What exactly was replaced?

These might give you an idea:

http://aaron.aussiefiverdriver.com/Fron ... ebuild.htm

http://aaron.aussiefiverdriver.com/Control%20Arms.htm

Re: Nailed

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:44 am
by horsetan
LeeFallon wrote:Yep. 52 - 57 sounds spot on. Your diagnosis is frighteningly accurate...
Many of us have been there before.

It means having another look at:

1. Wheel balancing and condition of alloys, and tyre pressures / tyre condition

2. Brake discs (are they warped?)

3. Steering Upper and lower control arm bushes, and associated links, rods, etc.

4. Steering box mountings / bracket on the subframe. If these have fractured......

5. Are your shocks / dampers worn?

Steering shake

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:39 am
by ron
I replaced everything on my steering/brake systems and it's the

only "6" that I have ever driven (and I've had 14) that has NO shimmy.

I think the biggest cause on my red Highline was 3 cracks on the

steering box mounting bracket.Very difficult to see until I removed

the front X-member.I don't think it will crack again as the bracket

has been stiffened up and gusseted.

It's worth checking this first before you start replacing parts.

HTH Ron.

Re: Steering shake

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:15 am
by horsetan
ron wrote:I replaced everything on my steering/brake systems and it's the only "6" that I have ever driven (and I've had 14) that has NO shimmy......
Having done the steering bushes when the suspension was converted a few months ago, I get a slight up-and-down sensation at 80mph. Otherwise, nothing :) .

Whilst we're on the subject, at what point would it be best to replace engine mounting bushes, and how difficult is it to do that task :?: I suspect I still have the original 24/25-year-old bushes in there :shock:

Engine mounting bushes

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:28 am
by ron
Hi Ivan, Relatively easy job.Plusglas the top and bottom threads.

Block of wood and a trolley jack under the front of the engine.

Remove bottom nuts (17mm. hex). Jack engine until thread

clears the X-member,remove top nut and you should be able

to juggle the mounts out.

Ron.

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:34 am
by horsetan
^^
Great, thanks Ron! 8)

Parts replaced

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:18 pm
by LeeFallon
The centre drag link and, the thrust arm bearings (if they are indeed the bits that connect to the drag link). I check that it was reassembled under load with the garage, have the front wheels balanced and have a general poke about. I was expecting some steering work this MOT after putting the new BBS alloys on last year.

Time to get hold of a repair manual and dust off my toolbox, not used since the days of my endearingly unreliable Sunbeam Alpine. I keep forgetting this car is 21 years old - older than the ancient seeming 60s sportscars I used to knock about in were when I bought them.

Cheers all.

Re: Parts replaced

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:18 pm
by horsetan
LeeFallon wrote:....I keep forgetting this car is 21 years old....
Wait 'til you drive something that's about three months short of its 25th birthday :wink:

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:42 am
by Brucey
-I can't help but wonder if this isn't -ahem- a euphemism for something....

:shock:

cheers

Re: Parts replaced

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 3:26 am
by Chris Wright
LeeFallon wrote:The centre drag link and, the thrust arm bearings (if they are indeed the bits that connect to the drag link).
Well, actually, the thrust arm bearings don't connect to the center drag link.
I was expecting some steering work this MOT after putting the new BBS alloys on last year.
Could it be the center drag link and the tie rod ends that were replaced, not the thrust bushings?

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:21 pm
by horsetan
Brucey wrote:-I can't help but wonder if this isn't -ahem- a euphemism for something....
Wha'? Getting the shakes in your old age :?: :wink:

Track rod ends.

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:47 pm
by LeeFallon
Yes, of course. Oops.