Should I be driving it...?

hogweed · 15th October 2018, 13:42

A few weeks ago, my car failed its MOT – one of the things was that front o/s hub was loose. The guy who prepped it for me put a new bolt in, telling me it might cure it – if not, it would need a new hub. It passed the MOT this time, and a long-standing knocking over bumps went away.

Now, a couple of months later, the knocking has returned. Also, today I noticed for the first time that the steering wheel is no longer centred when the car's going in a straight line - wasn't like that before. I’m trying to get a date from the mechanic to replace the hub, but should I even be driving it? Is the wheel likely to dislocate or something?

Thanks

tantallon · 15th October 2018, 14:24

Its a safety related defect Stop driving it and get it checked Its not only your life at risk!

COLVERT · 15th October 2018, 15:56

A stitch in time will save nine,---

Get it fixed---NOW !!!!

hogweed · 15th October 2018, 16:01

I'm not driving it - fortunately I bought myself a retirement present of a little red TF a while ago.

Bit worrying that it got through the MOT (which is supposed to be much stricter here in N Ireland

) only a few weeks ago, if the *@!!*!! wheel is about to fall off.

Just waiting to hear from the Rover guy when he can take it in...

T16 · 16th October 2018, 22:45

Assuming this is the lower arm to hub pinch bolt?

Get a brand new bolt, clean the area, apply generous threadlock, leave for 24hrs, and it should never happen again, unless there is a more serious problem with the thread in the hub.

I had this happen a number of times when re-using old bolts.

hogweed · 16th October 2018, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16

Assuming this is the lower arm to hub pinch bolt?

Get a brand new bolt, clean the area, apply generous threadlock, leave for 24hrs, and it should never happen again, unless there is a more serious problem with the thread in the hub.

I had this happen a number of times when re-using old bolts.

Sorry, displaying my utter ignorance of steering/suspension geometry here – just quoting what the mechanic told me when it failed the MOT the first time. He said he put a new bolt in, and that took up the play or whatever (and got it through the MOT), but if it started to rattle again it would need a new hub.

Afraid I don’t know which bolt he meant, or even which bolts exist… but it’s hopefully going in to the Rover specialist later this week to have a used hub in good nick fitted – he had previously told me that would be needed some day, after he did the n/s one about a year ago.

I will of course report back when it gets done… on the positive side, I’m really enjoying flying around in the TF

T16 · 16th October 2018, 22:58

hmmm

Id not be going and replacing hubs until I knew exactly what the issue was.

hogweed · 16th October 2018, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by T16

hmmm

Id not be going and replacing hubs until I knew exactly what the issue was.

Aye trouble is, unlike you and a lot of the people on this forum, I’m ignorant here, so have to trust others to know best. I do trust the Rover specialist I go to – he’s done a great deal of work for me.

klarzy · 17th October 2018, 07:30

It won't be the bolt... it will be the hole it goes through which has stretched and gone oval.... a new bolt would cure it enough to take out some play for the mot inspectors pry bar... but driving would soon see it lose again...

Ask one of the breakers on here for a complete hub and just swap it over... you can not fix the old one...

hogweed · 17th October 2018, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarzy

It won't be the bolt... it will be the hole it goes through which has stretched and gone oval.... a new bolt would cure it enough to take out some play for the mot inspectors pry bar... but driving would soon see it lose again...

Ask one of the breakers on here for a complete hub and just swap it over... you can not fix the old one...

Thanks – yes, now you say that, I think that’s what the mechanic said. He already has a good used hub, so will fit it when he can squeeze me in.

15th October 2018, 13:42	#1
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	Should I be driving it...? A few weeks ago, my car failed its MOT – one of the things was that front o/s hub was loose. The guy who prepped it for me put a new bolt in, telling me it might cure it – if not, it would need a new hub. It passed the MOT this time, and a long-standing knocking over bumps went away. Now, a couple of months later, the knocking has returned. Also, today I noticed for the first time that the steering wheel is no longer centred when the car's going in a straight line - wasn't like that before. I’m trying to get a date from the mechanic to replace the hub, but should I even be driving it? Is the wheel likely to dislocate or something? Thanks __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

15th October 2018, 16:01	#4
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	I'm not driving it - fortunately I bought myself a retirement present of a little red TF a while ago. Bit worrying that it got through the MOT (which is supposed to be much stricter here in N Ireland ) only a few weeks ago, if the @!!!! wheel is about to fall off. Just waiting to hear from the Rover guy when he can take it in... __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

17th October 2018, 07:30	#9
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	It won't be the bolt... it will be the hole it goes through which has stretched and gone oval.... a new bolt would cure it enough to take out some play for the mot inspectors pry bar... but driving would soon see it lose again... Ask one of the breakers on here for a complete hub and just swap it over... you can not fix the old one... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

15th October 2018, 14:24	#2
tantallon Gets stuck in ROVER 75 SALOON Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Peterborough Posts: 597 Thanks: 386 Thanked 316 Times in 144 Posts	Its a safety related defect Stop driving it and get it checked Its not only your life at risk!

15th October 2018, 15:56	#3
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	A stitch in time will save nine,--- Get it fixed---NOW !!!!

16th October 2018, 22:45	#5
T16 I really should get out more....... ZT CDTi 135, ZT260SE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dundee Posts: 2,877 Thanks: 10 Thanked 331 Times in 213 Posts	Assuming this is the lower arm to hub pinch bolt? Get a brand new bolt, clean the area, apply generous threadlock, leave for 24hrs, and it should never happen again, unless there is a more serious problem with the thread in the hub. I had this happen a number of times when re-using old bolts.

16th October 2018, 22:58	#7
T16 I really should get out more....... ZT CDTi 135, ZT260SE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dundee Posts: 2,877 Thanks: 10 Thanked 331 Times in 213 Posts	hmmm Id not be going and replacing hubs until I knew exactly what the issue was.