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Front Bounce
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:48 pm
by MColes
Not sure exactly what it is, but when travelling at slow speeds it feels as if the front passenger side is bouncing. It seems to go when I pick up speed.
Any suggestions to what this could be?

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:53 pm
by mike.perry
Check the oil level in the dampers
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:02 pm
by bmcecosse
Bulge in tyre wall ?
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:33 pm
by Mick_Anik
I once had a van and one of the tyres developed a lump on the actual tread, about an inch high.
Also, I've had tyres with water inside. With two on the front with water in, the car swished from side to side a little at low speed, giving it a 'boaty' feel. This phenomena disappeared at higher speed.
I discovered the water problem when it finally froze and made a shocking noise as the lumps of ice rocked about inside the tyres!
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:21 pm
by charlie_morris_minor
i would go with the other sounds like the wheels are not balanced.. apparently you can fix this manualy..
jack up the front wheel and make a mark with chalk on it... spin the wheel a few times.. you should find that the chalk mark will finish at any point in the "spin" but if it alway finishes with the chalk mark at the bottom, your wheel is out of balance.. how you can progress from there i can not remember and where you get the weights from I have no idea.. so at this point I would pop down to a tyre centre and get them to balance my wheel.
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:04 pm
by MColes
My brother balanced the tyres on his balancing machine last week and he checked over the tyres for any lumps or bulges. I swapped the one that was on it for the spare and still got the same problem

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:21 pm
by bmcecosse
Does it 'bounce' if you push the car down at the front ?
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:04 pm
by MColes
Yes. Thats why I'm thinking it's not the oil in the dampers (haven't checked yet). But I did check them a few months back and they were ok and I have not noticed any leaks.
My Passenger described it as this "when moving slowly it feels as if every few feet the car goes over a pot-hole" which causes the passenger side only to bounce.
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:39 pm
by LouiseM
Had you noticed the bouncing before your passenger mentioned it? Sounds a bit silly but I'm wondering if your passenger was just not used to the 'bumpier' ride of a Minor compared to more modern cars. Every time my Mum rides in my Minor she's always complaining that it's too bumpy, the seat's uncomfortable and she can't see over the dashboard whereas I can't understand what she's complaining about

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:20 pm
by MColes
The passenger was Kris who came with me to the National so he's used to the ride of the car. I'll get someone to drive up and down our street with me in the passenger seat and see if I can feel it
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:56 pm
by bmcecosse
Will only take you minutes to check the damper oil!
Try jacking up the front wheel off the ground - and spin it round. Does it look ok - not wobbling about ??
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:58 pm
by MColes
Can't check now as it's dark, will check tomorrow. If it does wobble what's the worse case scenario?
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:11 pm
by bmcecosse
Worst case = new car required!!
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:12 pm
by MColes
Everyone's a cynic

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:58 pm
by mike.perry
what's the worse case scenario?
Buckled wheel, tyre fitted incorrectly.
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:59 pm
by MColes
But I swapped the wheel that was on there for the spare and still have the same problem. Will look at the dampers tomorrow and rule that problem out.
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:05 pm
by bmcecosse
You did ask for 'worst case'!
It may be worn steering joints/loose trunnions - something like that - but very unlikely. Also check if the damoer mounting bolts are tight!
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:10 pm
by MColes
Will add that to the check list
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:12 pm
by bmcecosse
You'll need to hurry though - I think the Scrappage scheme runs out end September ?
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:13 pm
by MColes