Front Shock Absorbers advice please???

Post by **Boop33** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:16 pm

Hi All,

I bought another Moggy yesterday but upon driving it home (the most terrifying experience of my life) it had a few issues....

1. Every pot hole I had to fight with the steering wheel

2. At corners it felt like the car was off balance

Upon inspection when I got home it looks like the front drivers side wheel is leaning inwards.

At first I thought this was the shocks but I'm not entirely sure.

All donations of advice and the rough cost to get fixed greatly appreciated!!!

Ta,

Becca

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:25 pm

Where are you? There may be somebody local who can come and have a look at it. It sounds like something drastically wrong with the damper mounting or chassis rail.

I'm sure it goes without saying that you shouldn't drive the car again until the problem is sorted out...

Post by **Boop33** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:34 pm

Hi, I'm near Grantham.

I drove it back from Warwick yesterday and am now slightly scared of driving it again. I sold my other one today and am now gutted cos I have a feeling I've been sold a dog. Not in a happy place tonight!!

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:48 pm

Doh!!!

should have called in for us to have a look at it

Where in Warwick if you do not mind me asking.(PM if you like)
Try a full nut and bolt check, first. Look at the passenger side then the faulty side to see if anything obvious is either missing or bent/damaged.As Alex says, do not drive until you know its safe to do so.
Good luck

Post by **Boop33** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:58 pm

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit it was an e-bay purchase. What's hacked me off (being polite) is that I'm certain that the lad's dad... an experienced Moggy owner must have known it wasn't safe. I hit a pot hole in Melton Mowbray and the car leapt about all over the place as I struggled to control it. The reg is BDX 528C.... anyone know any history??

Cheers,

B

Post by **jonathon** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:01 pm

Not a number that springs to mind I'm afraid, hopefully it will be a simple safe repair

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:26 pm

Was it sold with MOT ? Front wheel leaning inwards does sound quite serious - and dangerous. 'Leaping about' could just be dampers with no oil - try filling them up - but you MUST investigate the leaning wheel before driving the thing on the public highway again.

Post by **Boop33** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:01 pm

Yes MOT til May which makes me suspect that something's happened to the car since then. I'm going to try and get it into a garage next week and see what the problem is.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:10 pm

Best to go somewhere that knows Minors - you could get ripped off horribly elsewhere!

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:04 pm

Ask for a local member in the general section.

I'm sure someone will have a look at it for you. I'd have a look if you were local, part trying to be helpful part plain old nosey!

To be honest theres not a lot going on there mechanically.
The wheel attaches to a hub.
Hub attaches to an upright.
Upright attaches top and bottom to two arms.
1 arm goes to the torsion bar and forms the 'spring' the other arm goes to the damper.

If the attachments are wobbly its time for new trunnions.
If the arms are wobbly its something more serious.
Could be the top damper has failed mechanically or the top trunnion has totally broken yet the wheel has miraculously stayed on!
(unlikely!)

edit: Just had a thought.
The front hubs feature two sets of bearings. One inner, one outer. Between these bearings there's a conical piece. If this peice were mising you might have some wheel wobble.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:58 pm

Yes Becca contact the local branch as they are quite an active lot and somebody should be able to help.