The Dreaded Steering Shake

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LeeFallon

The Dreaded Steering Shake

Post 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:
horsetan

Post 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?
LeeFallon

Nailed

Post by LeeFallon »

Yep. 52 - 57 sounds spot on. Your diagnosis is frighteningly accurate...
Chris Wright

Post 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
horsetan

Re: Nailed

Post 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?
ron
Platinum Member
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Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Steering shake

Post 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.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
horsetan

Re: Steering shake

Post 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:
ron
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Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Engine mounting bushes

Post 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.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
horsetan

Post by horsetan »

^^
Great, thanks Ron! 8)
LeeFallon

Parts replaced

Post 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.
horsetan

Re: Parts replaced

Post 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:
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Brucey
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Post by Brucey »

-I can't help but wonder if this isn't -ahem- a euphemism for something....

:shock:

cheers
~~~~~~~~~~~~Brucey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris Wright

Re: Parts replaced

Post 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?
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horsetan

Post 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:
LeeFallon

Track rod ends.

Post by LeeFallon »

Yes, of course. Oops.
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