8 replies to this topic

[GarethP]

I've owned my 1999 mpi since february, and it only has 20,000kms on it, but the car does sit a bit lower on the driver's side (that's the left side here). The German fellow who was the previous owner was on the large side to say the least however.

I've just had the front wheels balanced, because there was a slight vibration since I put new Yoko's on, and now the car pulls to the left!!

Have booked it in for Tuesday, but there are no real Mini specialists here the garage is termed a British Sports Car garage

Is this likely to be due to the cones sagging (would this cause the steering pull) or is it just a case of getting the tie rods adjusted?? Don't want them claiming the cones need replacing (I assume this is a big job) if not necessary.

Many thanks

Gareth (who doesn't stop asking questions)

[Guess-Works.com]

If there is a considerable difference in ride height then there would be a slight cornering effect, basically because the suspension geometry would be slight cack-ka (technical term), it's more likely to be tracking...

If you feel you car is crabbing however, that's a difference matter, and would be more to do with wheel/subframe alignment..

Fortunately, on the CD which is which is winging it's way to you.. within the 1st workshop manual is the guide on how to check the subframe alignment...

**edited to correct my SHOCKIN spellin** :nugget:

Edited by GuessWorks, 26 May 2005 - 02:26 PM.

[GarethP]

pretty sure the car isn't crabbing - just feels like the wheels are slightly out of line - just wondered if it was the cones... height difference left to right is about a finger (there's technical for you).

is it a big job to replace front cones (the garage would be doing the work), and should rears be done at same time??

have the cd already - thx v much!!

[GarethP]

foreign garages strike again...
car in this morning, and I explained that I'm thinking ball joints need checking (maybe replacing) and that the rubber cones look like they've sagged.
call them and they say it's already finished.
a roulement (translating as a bearing) needed replacing, and they have 'controlled' the cones, and that the ride height is now fine.
picking up the car later, but not convinced they've got it sorted.
hoping this is a case of me beign over cynical. we shall see - fingers crossed!!!!

[GarethP]

I will eat my hat.

They've done something to the wheel bearing (not replaced apparantly) which has cured the slight pull to the left, and levelled the car height left to right on their caibration machine (??) without replacing the rubber cones...

The car indeed steers straight now, and appears to be flat.

45 euro - a truly pleasant surprise.

[Guess-Works.com]

what's that about 30 quid ? which is about what you'd pay here for a tracking alignment.. so even if that's all they've done. reasonable value !

[GarethP]

indeed. made it a happy monday.

what (and i realise these questions are impossible to answer without seeing the problem most often) could they have done to a wheel bearing to sort the problem, or indeed, what could have been the problem with the wheel bearing???

do they adjust the height of the car side to side on the dampers then??

i will learn one day...

[MiniSi]

Theres very little you can do to a wheel bearing apart from a) replace it or B) grease it.

If the wheel bearing had sustained long term poor weight distribution, if you catch my drift, then you can damage the bearing and can cause play. This would lead to some of the problems you describing.

I 'guess' that maybe the bearing could have come loose and they've re-seated the bearing where it should be, apart from that it sounds very much like they've done a wheel alignment and ensured everything is all ok.

Either way for €45, you can't grumble. []

[GarethP]

ahh. would make sense.

he was cetainly a large fellow...

many thanks all.