A wee (or not) niggle or two

[Craig]

Drove the missus' car for the first time in a while this mroning. She's not the best at communicating any issues wth the car (Mazda 2) as she doesn't really notice them

1) The steering makes a knocking sound at low speed, i.e. driving out of garage, junction etc, when the wheel is on 1/2 rd to 1/2 lock. Nothing noticable at higher speeds (though as I'm not turning the wheel so much at speed .......)

From a wee bit of forum hopping this moring it seems like it could be a multitude of sins. Labour rates over here are the killer, not parts, so I'm really reluctant to take it into the dealer for him to 'have a look'

2) There is a ibration under braking from speed, as in over 60, which is not felt through the pedal but through the wheel. Mrs Craig sais she had noticed that one too, but had declined to mention it. I'm wondering if I just need to wheels balancing, or whether there could be somethign else afoot, or whether it's linked to the above issue.

As you can see, I'm a numptie with mechanics: I'm just after some words of advice to stand me in stead should I have to step inside the local Mazda dealer, prior to him axel-greasing his 12" strap on

 

[Guest]

1) Could be anti roll bar bushs/links/joints or track rod ends, unlikely to be the CV's i'd have thought...

2) Could be warped brake discs.

 

[Craig]

Hi Rob

Shoulldda mentioned that disks and pads were changed in May, so probably is not them

 

[rockmeister]

whatever it is, it sounds like it needs fixing before your wife goes out at speed again anyway. Might be anything from wheel bearings to suspension probs, and if you are no mechanic, find a decent indi garage and get them to have a look.

 

[Sir_Franc]

I wouldn't have thought the wheels needed balancing as the car tends to vibrate around a certain speed, eg 65-70mph and then even out again. Is the car used much? I broke an arm some years back, which meant I couldn't drive the car for 8 weeks. The disc rusted and I had he vibrating under braking that you discribed. They never recovered, dispite doing 1k miles per week.

 

[Craig]

Thanks fellas.

Have booked it in for a AA-equvalent check up next week and we'll see what they pinpoint for both cars.

We may well be trading it in pretty soon, so I also need an idea of whether we just get shot of the bugger before something starts getting dear (though as it's only 3 1/2 years old I'm hoping that's not the case)

 

[GTI Distribution]

You haven't said how many miles the car has done. If it's 60,000 or more it's likely to be a driveshaft. When one goes, the other side follows shortly afterwards. You can check it yourself by jacking a front wheel off the ground and jerking it from side to side - if you hear or feel a clunk you know you'r in for a garage bill of £200ish with another one coming a couple of months down the line.

 

[Guest]

Mrs_ moaned the hire car was breaking too hard. It was only after I drove her car that I realised she needed new break pads about a year ago, but had just got used to it!

 

[Beobloke]

Years ago I drove Mrs. B's old Metro for the first time in ages. Got to the first junction, tried to stop and very nearly smashed into the car in front due to the almost complete abscene of brakes - it was only because he moved off that I didn't hit him.

I then drove very slowly to work, left early, took it to the local exhaust/tyre/brake emporium and presented it back to her that evening along with the bill for new front pads and discs.

And my trousers and undercrackers for washing.... :td:

 

[Hornucopia]

Driveshafts after 60K miles?

My Citroen Traction driveshafts broke when I was touring Spain in 84; but the car WAS 30 years old then!

- - - Updated - - -

Well, it iS women's work to do washing and Men's to maintain cars, isn't it? (-:

Years ago I drove Mrs. B's old Metro for the first time in ages. Got to the first junction, tried to stop and very nearly smashed into the car in front due to the almost complete abscene of brakes - it was only because he moved off that I didn't hit him.I then drove very slowly to work, left early, took it to the local exhaust/tyre/brake emporium and presented it back to her that evening along with the bill for new front pads and discs.

And my trousers and undercrackers for washing.... :td: