6 replies to this topic

[sterrey]

Hi All

Model: Cooper Sport
Year: 2000

Description of problem: I’ve got wheel movement on the driver’s side front wheel - What are the best checks I can do to determine if it is a wheel bearing, CV joint or track rod end? - Also if any of these, do I require any specialist tools to fix?

Thanks

[bmcecosse]

Jack it up - and LOOK! Most likely to be ball joints - or TRE. Wheel bearing would give a very long brake pedal - and nasty noises while driving. You would need a ball-joint splitter for TRE or ball-joints.

[MRA]

Jack up the car and place axle stands under the subframe in safe positions.

With somebody pressing the brake pedal grab the wheel at the top and bottom and rock the top backwards and the bottom forwards (from vehicle left side to vehicle right side) and then back the otherway (a few times) this will tell you if it is the wheel bearing / CV joint / Hub etc or the top and bottom ball joint (swivel pins) if your assistant now releases the brake pedal and you have more "slack" in the system this would be wheel bearing / CV.... if it is loose with the brakes on then it is one or more of the 2 swivel pins.

It could be both swivel pins and it could also be the wheel bearing or a combination of any or all of these faults.

If this shows no movement, then grab the wheel at the 3 & 9 o'clock position (don't use a digital clock for this ) and with your assistant holding the steering wheel rock from side to side, if there is play it could be ......

1) Track rod end loose or failed.
2) steering rack swivel loose or damaged.

THe following would be seen and or felt on both sides........

3) steering rack worn to excess.
4) splines loose on the steering column.
5) loose steering wheel.

[sterrey]

Thanks for the detailed reply MRA,

Following your instructions - it was found to be the top ball joint with the movement.

I've have added your website to my favourites for future reference.

Alan

[Dan]

In that case you will need a torque wrench and a 1 1/2" extra deep dall joint socket. Both available from Halfords. Balljoints come in kits of both top and bottom for one hub.

[sterrey]

Thanks - Picked the socket and wrench up today - managed to remove hub OK but it soon became apparent that I'm going to have to also buy a vice to hold the hub tight if I’m going to get the ball joints apart ... Back to Halfords

[bmcecosse]

Top ones are easy enough to do on the car! But you will need a ball-joint splitter! However - it's very likely the bottom joints are also loose - just the movement is slightly concealed by the weight of the hub carrier - and the spring inside the joint!