Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all, I wonder if I could pick someone's brains about my Mk2 Cortina. I'm just after some general pointers which I guess may be similar to other cars, but basically it vibrates at about 70mph and the garage is convinced it's a steering problem. However, I've been told that should happen at a slower speed and to check/replace the bushes. I presume this means the suspension and steering bushes, but I haven't got a clue where to start!

Can I just ask... is it a DIY job? And what am I looking for and where? I'm pretty confident with general servicing, tappets, etc, but I've never attempted anything more complicated than replacing an alternator on my Maestro. I have Haynes manuals for a Morris Minor, a Maestro and a Mk1 Escort which might help (haven't managed to get a Cortina one yet), but if anyone's got any advice, it would be appreciated...

Thanks,

Neil

All I can remember about them is that the steering is not rack & pinion like a Moggie but is a steering box and if I remember Macferson struts which are prone to the metal around them rusting,splitting and the only proper cure is metal welded in properly. Does it just do it at speed in a straight line or is it worse/better/no different when you brake.
Here are some manuals.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW

Thanks! It's from 70mph+ and I can't drive through it. It makes no difference if I brake or lift off the gas or anything, and as soon as it drops below 70, it stops. It's a vibration of the car, not the steering wheel...

Do the wheels need balancing?

Been balanced and there's no problem there

Prop shaft?
Prop shaft universal joints?

Colin

Only after 70mph well I would think that should eliminate wheels and propshafts, and I would have thought front wheel bearings although it would do no harm to check, the other thing I seem to remember a bearing being in the top of the mcferson strut but I dont know what effect that would have with wear in it.
It may be an idea to contact the owners club as they may to be able to tell you straight off what it is.
http://www.fordcortinamk2oc.co.uk/

http://www.cortinaownersclub.co.uk/

I'd suggest to check the tyres VERY VERY carefully. Lift the wheel a few mm off the ground and rotate it whilts looking under the tyre from the front (or rear) - if the gap to the road changes or the tyre wobbles or has a bulge, you will spot it this way. Tyre places will balance any old rubbish wheel/tyre without inspecting them.
Very often people go back and back again to garages regarding strange vibration etc.. without doing this simple check...

Thanks for your help guys, I'll give this a try tomorrow!

Hello Hornmeister,
another check is the bottom ball joint on the struts, you wil need to jack up the car so the wheels are clear then try and lever about the joint looking for wear. This can also give rise to vibration.

Alec

another classic ford problem that causes vibration is warped disks.. My sierra used to warp disks and either vibrate when braking or at high speeds..

ford havent improved, i had a set of wheel bearings fail on a 28k mile focus! now its 53k old and the waterpump is leaking like a scieve!