front wheel play

65tbird · 16th May 2014, 12:36

When I got my rego inspection done the mechanic said there is slight play in o/s front wheel when you hold it at 3 and 9 o'clock.He said it 's probably the rack end.By the way he did pass it.

I checked it and it's definately not the rack.If I hold the driveshaft I get no movement.

I thought the drive shaft is supposed to have a bit of lateral movement.
I am now thinking I have some joint worn in this area.

I will get under the car again tomorrow and have another look,meanwhile does anyone have any ideas what can be the cause.

Thankyou

DMGRS · 16th May 2014, 12:41

Usually a track rod end or an inner tie rod - check for play in the track rod end ball joint first.
You can get either here:
Inner tie rod
Track rod ends

Avulon · 16th May 2014, 12:43

If you hold the wheel at 3 and 9 'o'clock (with the wheel off the ground) you'll just be turning the steering, any play at all in the steering rack will be magnified and felt as a knock, movement without knocking is only turning the steering. Hold it at 12 and 6 and wiggle (alternate push pull) to check for play in the wheel bearings: checking for play anywhere else in the steering suspension isn't usually done by wiggling the wheel. (rear bushes are checked by rotating the wheel backwards/forwards with the wheel on the ground though).

65tbird · 16th May 2014, 13:08

When I hold the tie rod and wiggle the wheel I do not feel any movement at the tie rod,only at the driveshaft.

klarzy · 16th May 2014, 14:32

I think a small amount of end float or backlash is normal in the rack, my car is the same.
I have new rod ends and have checked the inner rods and both are fine.

the play is not there when the engine is running so I put it down to end float in the slave when there is no pressure in the system.

suffolk boy · 16th May 2014, 15:46

check your wishbone bush while you are at it

65tbird · 17th May 2014, 07:26

The suspension arm (wishbone?) is definetely the problem This P/N from rimmer (RBJ000370P) .
It has a bit of play in the centre ball joint.It appears the whole arm needs to be replaced.I checked the other side and that is tight.
Does not look hard to replace.
Seems a bit expensive from rimmer,is there anywhere else I can buy this from.

chrissyboy · 17th May 2014, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMGRS

Usually a track rod end or an inner tie rod - check for play in the track rod end ball joint first.
You can get either here:
Inner tie rod
Track rod ends

i agree ,pull down on track rod end and get someone to wobbly wheel if play stops then its the track rod end for wishbone rubbers get someone to drive it slowly and watch wheel as they brake you should see complete wheel move back towards the wing .

65tbird · 18th May 2014, 19:28

As I mentioned above there is a bit of play in the wishbone at the centre where it mounts to the subframe.

Do I need the whole wishbone or can the balljoint or bush be replaced in the wishbone.

Thanks

klarzy · 18th May 2014, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65tbird

As I mentioned above there is a bit of play in the wishbone at the centre where it mounts to the subframe.

Do I need the whole wishbone or can the balljoint or bush be replaced in the wishbone.

Thanks

whole wishbone I am afraid..

16th May 2014, 12:36	#1
65tbird Newbie rover 75saloon Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Grasmere Australia Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	front wheel play When I got my rego inspection done the mechanic said there is slight play in o/s front wheel when you hold it at 3 and 9 o'clock.He said it 's probably the rack end.By the way he did pass it. I checked it and it's definately not the rack.If I hold the driveshaft I get no movement. I thought the drive shaft is supposed to have a bit of lateral movement. I am now thinking I have some joint worn in this area. I will get under the car again tomorrow and have another look,meanwhile does anyone have any ideas what can be the cause. Thankyou

16th May 2014, 12:41	#2
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	Usually a track rod end or an inner tie rod - check for play in the track rod end ball joint first. You can get either here: Inner tie rod Track rod ends __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

16th May 2014, 12:43	#3
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	If you hold the wheel at 3 and 9 'o'clock (with the wheel off the ground) you'll just be turning the steering, any play at all in the steering rack will be magnified and felt as a knock, movement without knocking is only turning the steering. Hold it at 12 and 6 and wiggle (alternate push pull) to check for play in the wheel bearings: checking for play anywhere else in the steering suspension isn't usually done by wiggling the wheel. (rear bushes are checked by rotating the wheel backwards/forwards with the wheel on the ground though). __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button

16th May 2014, 14:32	#5
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	I think a small amount of end float or backlash is normal in the rack, my car is the same. I have new rod ends and have checked the inner rods and both are fine. the play is not there when the engine is running so I put it down to end float in the slave when there is no pressure in the system. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

16th May 2014, 15:46	#6
suffolk boy This is my second home fiat panda Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: haverhill Posts: 6,720 Thanks: 96 Thanked 586 Times in 526 Posts	check your wishbone bush while you are at it __________________ fiat panda 1.2 eco

16th May 2014, 13:08	#4
65tbird Newbie rover 75saloon Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Grasmere Australia Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	When I hold the tie rod and wiggle the wheel I do not feel any movement at the tie rod,only at the driveshaft.

17th May 2014, 07:26	#7
65tbird Newbie rover 75saloon Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Grasmere Australia Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	The suspension arm (wishbone?) is definetely the problem This P/N from rimmer (RBJ000370P) . It has a bit of play in the centre ball joint.It appears the whole arm needs to be replaced.I checked the other side and that is tight. Does not look hard to replace. Seems a bit expensive from rimmer,is there anywhere else I can buy this from.

18th May 2014, 19:28	#9
65tbird Newbie rover 75saloon Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Grasmere Australia Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	As I mentioned above there is a bit of play in the wishbone at the centre where it mounts to the subframe. Do I need the whole wishbone or can the balljoint or bush be replaced in the wishbone. Thanks