Front suspension/steering issue

goltho · 20th October 2021, 14:44

I'm having difficulty pinpointing the cause of an issue I've not encountered before, on the new CDT. I noticed it when driving it home and after jacking it up this afternoon, there's clearly something amiss.

When coming to a halt whilst braking, there's a feeling of something slipping forward, almost like the car lifts up a little. There's no clonk but it's an odd sensation like something slips. I jacked it up & checked both sides for play every which way. There is definite play (clonks) from the centre of the nearside hub when lightly rocking the wheel back & forward (both top-bottom and side-side) but the main anomaly occurred when I was tightening the wheel nuts after semi-lowering the car.

With the tyre partially weight-bearing - just enough to tighten the nuts reasonably before completely dropping the jack - the hub assembly moved backwards by around 4cm when pressure was applied to the breaker bar, in what feels like a smooth/mushy movement - no noise. It appears to pivot from the top of the strut, which to my mind means that there is significant movement at the bottom somewhere, and the feeling certainly feels rubbery. I'm also fairly sure the lower engine mount is shot (not got the undertray off yet due to rain) as when applying or cancelling acceleration firmly, there's a big clonk. I may be incorrect with that though, and also am thinking about the lower control arm bushes.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Dougie.

SD1too · 20th October 2021, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by goltho

... - the hub assembly moved backwards by around 4cm ... It appears to pivot from the top of the strut, which to my mind means that there is significant movement at the bottom somewhere ...

Hi Dougie,

From your very clear description and my own repair experience earlier this year, I'd suggest that you have a look at the lower suspension arm rear bushes (as you said at the end of your account). It sounds as if the arm is no longer held firmly within the bush. I can't imagine play in the inner or outer balljoints causing as much as 4 cm of movement!

Simon

macafee2 · 20th October 2021, 15:19

Currently I have plans to be in Lincoln on Saturday, dont know what time but during the day. If you want a hand PM me and I should be able to pop up.

If you dont have ramps or tools I am near Fenton (North West of Lincoln), you can pop over to me.

macafee2

goltho · 20th October 2021, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

From your very clear description and my own repair experience earlier this year, I'd suggest that you have a look at the lower suspension arm rear bushes (as you said at the end of your account). It sounds as if the arm is no longer held firmly within the bush. I can't imagine play in the inner or outer balljoints causing as much as 4 cm of movement!

Simon

Thanks Simon. It actually looks like a recently-replaced rear bush so there may be issues with that. I need a swan's neck though to make it move and look for movement at the same time! Which brings me on to......

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

If you dont have ramps or tools I am near Fenton (North West of Lincoln), you can pop over to me.

macafee2

That's a great offer Ian, thank you. If you have a ramp (or even if you don't), I'd appreciate if I could pop over to you. We should be able to diagnose stuff properly. I'll PM you.

(Thought you meant an actual ramp i.e. 4-poster!! So excited for a minute! Wishful thinking

)

Dougie.

chris75 · 20th October 2021, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by goltho

With the tyre partially weight-bearing - just enough to tighten the nuts reasonably before completely dropping the jack - the hub assembly moved backwards by around 4cm when pressure was applied to the breaker bar, in what feels like a smooth/mushy movement - no noise. ..........and also am thinking about the lower control arm bushes.

Dougie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hi Dougie,

From your very clear description and my own repair experience earlier this year, I'd suggest that you have a look at the lower suspension arm rear bushes (as you said at the end of your account). It sounds as if the arm is no longer held firmly within the bush. I can't imagine play in the inner or outer balljoints causing as much as 4 cm of movement!

Simon

Agreed

Being able to roll the wheel back and forth is a classic symptom of lower arm rear bush failure . You can probably do it without the breaker bar , just by holding the tyre at 9 and 3 o'clock ! That's a kind offer by Macafee .

goltho · 20th October 2021, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris75

Agreed

Being able to roll the wheel back and forth is a classic symptom of lower arm rear bush failure . You can probably do it without the breaker bar , just by holding the tyre at 9 and 3 o'clock !

Well I found it all on my own with no prior knowledge or preconceptions.

I changed both lower arms and rear bushes on my old Connie a couple of years ago and learnt some things (mainly patience and some new profanities). Presumably changing just the rear bush is considerably easier, assuming the arm is otherwise ok?

Dougie.

chris75 · 20th October 2021, 16:46

Sometimes it goes easily

, and sometimes it can be a pig

You'll get mixed views on this one !
There are a couple of How-to's in the how-to section . Worth a read

macafee2 · 20th October 2021, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by goltho

Thanks Simon. It actually looks like a recently-replaced rear bush so there may be issues with that. I need a swan's neck though to make it move and look for movement at the same time! Which brings me on to......

That's a great offer Ian, thank you. If you have a ramp (or even if you don't), I'd appreciate if I could pop over to you. We should be able to diagnose stuff properly. I'll PM you.

(Thought you meant an actual ramp i.e. 4-poster!! So excited for a minute! Wishful thinking

)

Dougie.

oh a proper car ramp was my plan but the barn/workshop roof does not allow for it in height. I need to have work done to the roof, I wonder if I could slip the required alterations past the wife.

macafee2

goltho · 20th October 2021, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

I wonder if I could slip the required alterations past the wife.

I'm very amenable to quietly pushing her along if it helps if she's coming on Saturday.

macafee2 · 20th October 2021, 20:33

I'm popping over hopefully saturday afternoon

macafee2

20th October 2021, 14:44	#1
goltho Can't help myself Rover 75 CDTi 2005 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Lincoln Posts: 871 Thanks: 469 Thanked 150 Times in 113 Posts	Front suspension/steering issue I'm having difficulty pinpointing the cause of an issue I've not encountered before, on the new CDT. I noticed it when driving it home and after jacking it up this afternoon, there's clearly something amiss. When coming to a halt whilst braking, there's a feeling of something slipping forward, almost like the car lifts up a little. There's no clonk but it's an odd sensation like something slips. I jacked it up & checked both sides for play every which way. There is definite play (clonks) from the centre of the nearside hub when lightly rocking the wheel back & forward (both top-bottom and side-side) but the main anomaly occurred when I was tightening the wheel nuts after semi-lowering the car. With the tyre partially weight-bearing - just enough to tighten the nuts reasonably before completely dropping the jack - the hub assembly moved backwards by around 4cm when pressure was applied to the breaker bar, in what feels like a smooth/mushy movement - no noise. It appears to pivot from the top of the strut, which to my mind means that there is significant movement at the bottom somewhere, and the feeling certainly feels rubbery. I'm also fairly sure the lower engine mount is shot (not got the undertray off yet due to rain) as when applying or cancelling acceleration firmly, there's a big clonk. I may be incorrect with that though, and also am thinking about the lower control arm bushes. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Dougie. __________________ R75 C2 RJBLH Connoisseur CDTi Auto Saloon • Built 08/02/2005 @14:57 hrs: Registered 26/08/2005 • 122nd of 141 built that day • British Racing Green Pearlescent (HFF) • Sandstone leather with black piping (SPJ) • 137,000 miles Last edited by goltho; 20th October 2021 at 15:08..

20th October 2021, 16:46	#7
chris75 same car since 2005 2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ellesmere Port , Cheshire Posts: 3,811 Thanks: 379 Thanked 549 Times in 466 Posts	Sometimes it goes easily , and sometimes it can be a pig You'll get mixed views on this one ! There are a couple of How-to's in the how-to section . Worth a read __________________ Who said it was simples ?

20th October 2021, 15:19	#3
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,912 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	Currently I have plans to be in Lincoln on Saturday, dont know what time but during the day. If you want a hand PM me and I should be able to pop up. If you dont have ramps or tools I am near Fenton (North West of Lincoln), you can pop over to me. macafee2

20th October 2021, 20:33	#10
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,912 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	I'm popping over hopefully saturday afternoon macafee2