Steering Column Vibration on R75 cdti 2005

[Edward Huggins]

Most first post on this goes back to September 2015 wherein I had an exchange steering rack fitted to help cure excessive vibration coming up the steering column on a newly purchased, low mileage, SVP model. Although diagnosed by an MGR specialist and Xparts - this did not cure the problem. In the intervening 6 months, it's gotten far worse and so I have now had a genuine Rover Hydramount fitted (super parts service from DMGRS) fitted on the O/S which the remaining experts said was the issue because of its probable leakage. Arghhhhh - still no improvement! So several £100s later no benefit EXCEPT that in the process of fitting the new mount, my Garage suddenly saw that the Subframe Bushes were shot. Knowing how much I had aleady spent, they have made a temporary fix with thick rubber and the improvement is amazing! All with an old piece of scrap rubber. This will not last long though, so any advice from "out there" on the likely issues in replacing the subframe bushes. Edward
PS So I now have a perfect, Rover Hydramount going spare!

[MikeJohn]

I too have been trying to pin down steering vibration, and replaced all engine mounts, front subframe bushes, fitted a steering damper (standard on Mk1 I think but not fitted to facelift cars) and the damn thing still vibrates.

At one point I had front wishbone bushes done by a local garage, ( That was before I ]got brave and dropped the entire subframe!) and they suggested fitting polybush bushes. That seemed sensible so I went for it. I am now wondering if the polybushes are actually part of the cause. When I had the subframe off to change failed subframe bushes removing the wishbone bushes was simple.

I am now tempted to replace the polybushes with originals to see if that fixes it. When moving it is fine, but the vibration at idle is annoying.

Working out the exact sequence of what was replaced in what order and hence eliminating possible causes is actually not that easy!

At one point I had a subframe bush stuffed full of "rubber" from an evo stik tube called "extreme repair sealant" and that was definitely better than the failed bush. However the replacement bushes did not actually help much. I am wondering if all subframe bushes are the same. Last time I checked Rimmers had diesel subframes ( I assume with bushes pre-installed) Cost was not horrendous especially bearing in mind the time to get the old ones out.

Mike

[klarzy]

I too have been trying to pin down steering vibration, and replaced all engine mounts, front subframe bushes, fitted a steering damper (standard on Mk1 I think but not fitted to facelift cars) and the damn thing still vibrates.

At one point I had front wishbone bushes done by a local garage, ( That was before I ]got brave and dropped the entire subframe!) and they suggested fitting polybush bushes. That seemed sensible so I went for it. I am now wondering if the polybushes are actually part of the cause. When I had the subframe off to change failed subframe bushes removing the wishbone bushes was simple.

I am now tempted to replace the polybushes with originals to see if that fixes it. When moving it is fine, but the vibration at idle is annoying.

Working out the exact sequence of what was replaced in what order and hence eliminating possible causes is actually not that easy!

Mike

I notice mine on idle... a new crank pulley improved it no end...
I now notice it more with the air con on...

I am wondering if an idler bearing in the clutch of the compressor is allowing the pulley to run off centre, when I engage the air con, the magnetic clutch is holding the pulley off axis and causing the vibration...

I should try it with the air con belt off to see if it kills it. if so its new compressor time...

[MikeJohn]

I will try with aircon off! Crank pulley already done but I do tend to leave A/C on auto all the time.

Well worth a try, but I really don't want to have to change the compressor....

Mike

[tourer]

Did you read the following from THE GENERAL FORUM?



Huge thanks to rich17865.


As title, many thanks to rich17865 for his marvellous HOW-TO on swapping the steering column and his advice that the much-reduced-price LHD column fits our RHD cars with slight modification.

I've had the car 12 years now and for over 11 the steering wheel has vibrated at tick-over on my CDT. Could never find anything wrong but last year replaced the hydramount with new. No improvement.

In the last 2 or 3 years I have also had knocks and rattles over certain road surfaces. Could find nothing wrong (neither could trusted MOT man) but swapped ARB drop-links. Also bought ARB bushes but did not fit them as there was no play what-so-ever and it looked very fiddly.

As I have decided to look for new car and promised this one to son-in-law, I decided to have another play and swapped the steering column which had only slight play in it. The play was not in the top bearing but the lower bush. The steering wheel now has no play at all, the tick-over vibration has gone and no rattles over certain road surfaces.

I am delighted as I have put up with these problems for years (now wondering whether to keep car).

The job went well apart from forcing my 16 stone 65 year old body under the dash board and brake pedal etc. Must admit to waking up a bit stiff and achy this morning. As Rich stated, the wheel and column markings don't line up perfectly. I have had to refit the steering wheel 3 splines anti-clockwise for the wheel to be level when driving straight. This I have marked with a centre punch.

Only test driven for about 5 miles so hope nothing changes. Assume original column fitted with excess play as vibration started at about 4000 miles from new, just after MG-Rover went belly-up.

Once again, many thanks to Rich whose HOW-TO gave me the confidence to tackle the job and more importantly the knowledge that LHD columns were available for £25 plus VAT.


Last edited by tourer; 15th June 2016 at 19:00

[MikeJohn]

Not yet but I will be....

Thanks

Mike

[MikeJohn]

Thanks Tourer. I have followed up on the original thread, as I was not sure if the LHD column fitted later (facelift) cars.

If you happen to know the differences probably best to keep the answers there.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Mike John