Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello All

Took the Morris out for a good run yesterday to Kelmarsh hall.
She drove very well (even managing to cope with the snow, hail and mud on the field!) except for the following worry. It would cruise quite happily at 50Mph but after 55-60Mph a wobble became apparent?
It certainly wasnt an engine problem, in stead it felt like the near side front wheel was wobbling?

I drove it home fine a 50MPH but didnt dare trying to do the speed limit on the A14 for fear of what would happen! Ive not had chance to give it a check over yet. I dont belive it to be a wheel bearing problem (as youd useually expect a whirring/ rubbing noise?).

ANy help on this would be much appreciated

Tom

Muddy field, check inner side of wheels for mud, which can really throw the balance off. Also check for missing wheel balance weights, B4 I fitted alloys, my Moggy used to throw these off regularly.

Hi MoggyTech

Cheers for the reply, forgive my inexperiance but how do I go about rectifying this problem if it has shot a balance weight? Can I do it myself or will I need to take it to a garage?
Tom

If you lose a wheel weight it's best to have the wheel re-balanced. If the missing weight size can be determined from the outline sometimes left on the rim, you can just fit a replacement weight of the same size. Helps if you have a mate that works at a tyre fitting centre though. The weights for steel wheels simply tap into place, with a small backing lug that goes between the tyre and the rim.

Magic

Ill check it out (may have to wait till the weekend) but Ill see whats what.
As you say, it may be a ruddy great lump of mud but it was a pretty serious wobbler!

Cheers for the help, much appreciated

Tom

Simple check is to jack the wheel up - and make sure the brake is not rubbing (if discs - remove pads) . If there is a heavy section on the wheel it will rotate and settle at the bottom - mark it with chalk. To balance this out - turn the wheel so the chalk mark is at 9o'clock - and add balance weights (loosely at first) at 3o'clock until the wheel just hangs there with no tendency to rotate. Turn it off station and check it just sits anywhere. When happy - fix the weights on properly. This is just a STATIC balance - but the advantage is that it takes into account the unbalance of the brake drum - which a full garage balance doesn't do. Obviously you need to mark the wheel and studs so the wheel always go back on the same way ! It's always worked well for me.

Sounds like you have a wheel balancing issue.
Had the same problem on my toyota corrolla, sudden wobble at 65mph!

Wheel woble at 60mph plus, then get the front wheels balanced ON the car.

Very few places seem able to do this now - hence the Static balance method I describe above. It costs nothing - and it works!

Cheers for the method bmcecosse, hopefully (weather permitting!) ill be able to get it sorted this weekend! As I say other than that it drove very nicely!

All the best

Tom

Obviously you will need a few balance weights - salvage them from old wheels - or ask nicely at Kwak Fut for some old ones!

I had a similar problem recently see LINK HERE

The above are good suggestions, but THINK SIMPLE FIRST:-
Simple thing to check- are all the wheel nuts tight? This caught me out a couple of times.
Is there a bulge in the tyre tread?? May need new tyre, remove all wheels and check for bulges.
Is the tracking out?? Need to get this checked at a garage.
Check all suspension/ steering nuts and bolts for tightness (include damper bolts).

Indeed - these are all good ideas. Tracking can be checked at home - simple home-made gauge is all you need! Mine is made from Dexion and gives the same result every time.