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[JamesV6CDX]

Right so my 2.2 petrol - 53 plate with 90k miles. It had an MOT advisory last year for slight play in both roadwheels at the front. The MOT was done by hellfrauds, so I didn't read too much into this being a genuine issue!

After owning the car a couple of days I decided it wasn't handling right. It was pitching, all over the place, and seemed to randomly dance about wherever at the front end under braking.

With the car on the ground on a level surface, I shook both wheels at 12 o clock. There is, indeed, some detectable play, certainly on the nearside wheel. You can't really see it move but can definitely feel it.

I raised the car up on stands and had a look. All of the suspension joints, EG track rods, balljoints, steering idler, are all perfectly fine. No play at all. The front wishbones however, were shot to bits. There was loads of movement, and the OS front bush had all but fallen to bits.

I've now replaced the wishbones. The car drives a million times better, the pitching around under braking is totally gone. The wishbones were correctly fitted, front bushes torqued with the weight on the wheels after being allowed to settle, etc.  It's still not "right" though. Granted the part of the A40 I drove down earlier is awful, but there was some real noticible tram lining.

I know it'll need a WIM setup after changing the 'bones (which is only just around the corner  ) but I'm reluctant to do this if there are any other suspension parts that need changing first - I'd rather go there when all the work is done, so my setup lasts some time.

There is no play at all in the wheels with the car raised - only with the weight on the tyres.

On the subject of the tyres - they are michelin primacy, probably with no more than 3mm left on them, so due a change soon, but still safe and legal. They're evenly worn.

It no longer feels unsafe to drive, but still doesn't inspire handling confidence at the front end.

Thoughts please

[JamesV6CDX]

I would be surprised if both the front wheel bearings are worn / failed at the same time, big co-incidence.

When I can, I guess I should get someone to press the brake pedal, while I give them a shake, to see if it goes away?

[chrisgixer]

You should notice improvements at each stage. After wishbone fitting. Then after set up, but won't feel right until new tyres are fitted.

If the bushes where that bad, there WILL be some odd wear on the tyres, and the camber and toe will likely be some way out.

Check it ALL before before set up. Leave no stone unturned.

[JamesV6CDX]

You should notice improvements at each stage. After wishbone fitting. Then after set up, but won't feel right until new tyres are fitted.

If the bushes where that bad, there WILL be some odd wear on the tyres, and the camber and toe will likely be some way out.

Check it ALL before before set up. Leave no stone unturned.

Cheers Chris

Would you concur that the wheel play is likely to be a bearing, especially if it disappears with the brakes pressed?

[05omegav6]

If the top mounts are on their last legs or the shocks are a bit soft, the effect would be the same... under braking the suspension will load up, masking any play in the struts

[chrisgixer]

It could be top mounts, it could be loose camber bolts, it could be the bottom wishbone ball joint

 But as you've changed the wishbones, that leaves two possibles. Plus the wheel baring you correctly mention.

[omegod]

Maybe try swap wheels front to back as the fronts may have some oddness worn into them, you should feel some difference if this is the case

[henryd]

Right so my 2.2 petrol - 53 plate with 90k miles. It had an MOT advisory last year for slight play in both roadwheels at the front. The MOT was done by hellfrauds, so I didn't read too much into this being a genuine issue!

After owning the car a couple of days I decided it wasn't handling right. It was pitching, all over the place, and seemed to randomly dance about wherever at the front end under braking.

With the car on the ground on a level surface, I shook both wheels at 12 o clock. There is, indeed, some detectable play, certainly on the nearside wheel. You can't really see it move but can definitely feel it.

I raised the car up on stands and had a look. All of the suspension joints, EG track rods, balljoints, steering idler, are all perfectly fine. No play at all. The front wishbones however, were shot to bits. There was loads of movement, and the OS front bush had all but fallen to bits.

I've now replaced the wishbones. The car drives a million times better, the pitching around under braking is totally gone. The wishbones were correctly fitted, front bushes torqued with the weight on the wheels after being allowed to settle, etc.  It's still not "right" though. Granted the part of the A40 I drove down earlier is awful, but there was some real noticible tram lining.

I know it'll need a WIM setup after changing the 'bones (which is only just around the corner  ) but I'm reluctant to do this if there are any other suspension parts that need changing first - I'd rather go there when all the work is done, so my setup lasts some time.

There is no play at all in the wheels with the car raised - only with the weight on the tyres.

On the subject of the tyres - they are michelin primacy, probably with no more than 3mm left on them, so due a change soon, but still safe and legal. They're evenly worn.

It no longer feels unsafe to drive, but still doesn't inspire handling confidence at the front end.

Thoughts please

My old mig had primacys on when I bought it and towards the end of there life they definitely lost there directional stability to the point where I was jacking it up and checking the "bones"(they were fine,genuine GM replacements )after new tyres were fitted all was back to normal

[chrisgixer]

A certain admin here had primacy, which exhibited clown car handling towards the end.


Well, I say towards the end, he'd ripped the edges put of them. So perhaps not surprising. The only other tyres I've driven on in an omega to match the Falkens woefull handling by half worn.

[Shallow Al]

I had some play in one of my front struts, only when it was on its wheels, not when raised. You could rock the wheel top to bottom, felt like bearing play, but no play to be felt 9 to 3 o'clock.
Eventually found it by putting a finger on the damper rod where it went into the shock body, I could just about feel the play there.
Took a while to find it. You could hear it and feel it when rocking the wheel, the shock was not leaking either.
HTH

[chrisgixer]

Good shout Al. I shall note that one down.

[JamesV6CDX]

WIM at cheshsam booked for tomorrow, I can see the inside edges are just starting to scrub following wishbone change, so may as well get it done! Hopefully it will improve my handling

[chrisgixer]

WIM at cheshsam booked for tomorrow, I can see the inside edges are just starting to scrub following wishbone change, so may as well get it done! Hopefully it will improve my handling

If the fault has been rectified, yes it should be better.

[JamesV6CDX]

I can't replicate that play since wishbone change anymore. It's been to my local garage, on ramps with weight on and off the wheels, shaker plates, no play can be found :/

[chrisgixer]