Poor Handling 110

[MTyrrell]

Ever since changing the track rod ends on the 110 the handling has been terrible. It has become hard to hold the vehicle in a straight line in between about 40 – 45 mph, if you go faster it isn’t too bad. Also when cornering on long bends it seems loll around a bit, enough to have back off turning in to the corner.

 I have replaced all the front bushes which were past their best, the centre sleeve just dropped out the radius arm bush, handling has improved slightly with the new bush but I’m still not happy with it. There is a bit of play in the steering box but no more than I’d expect of a vehicle of it’s age.

 The track rod ends that were replace were very stiff through lack of grease  :oops: so there is every chance that they were stiffening the steering up enough to mask the problem previously.
I have had the wheel alignment checked and that’s ok, Tyre pressures are all ok.

 Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing it.

[piggysteve]

Have you tried your rear wheel bearings mate. Mine did this I put it down to the tyres, had it jacked up for something else and found play in the back wheels. New bearings, job sorted.

Steve

[MTyrrell]

The back wheel bearings are less than twelve months old, although i I’ll check ‘em, as it was me that fitted them. cheers.

[ian_s]

i dont know how sensitive a 110 will be to the preload in the swivels, maybe thats the problem? too loose or too tight can cause some very very strange handling on a series3

[paradigm shift]

You say it's since fitting new rod ends.. perhaps it's just the alignment is a little out? Doesn't take much to make a car feel like a pig to drive.

[MTyrrell]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I have checked the bearings and they are all ok. Also the preload on the swivels is set correctly.

With regards to the alignment, When I replaced the track rod ends I tried about five garages before I found anyone that would do it, my tyres are 235/85r16 which most garages don’t seem to be able to do.
I managed to find one garage that has the kit to fit, but only just, and the alignment came back ok.
 There is every chance, however, that the equipment wasn't fitted properly as everything was at full extension and it looked very similar to what ATS had which they couldn’t fit.

Does anyone know of a garage in the Cheshire area who has equipment big enough to check the wheel alignment?

[kizz81]

try the smaller brand garages? my loca garage which isnt owed by any big company use mirrors to align the wheels seems to work, i have the same size tyres
i went to ATS to have them fitted and they told me they wernt insured to fit tyres  :lol: so i took them elsewhere

is it you steering joint?
mine was all over the place when the bushes went on the rear anti roll bars

good luck,
kieran

[Landy Andy]

While off road i smacked N/S/F wheel and steering was horrible, light and different left turning to right.

Got 4 wheel laser aligned, £42, the dogs do da's since

Well worth it

[Mark_Solesbury]

I want to get the laser thing done on my 90...

Where did you go to get it done?

[Landy Andy]

Stort Performance Tyres. In Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, 01279 466466. Also have branch in Cambridge (Cambridge Performance Tyres)

Very good, £16 for check, then prices from there for alterations.

Well worth spraying joints before visit.

Andy

[Eck-T]

did you change the drop arm joint ,they can often be the problem as they are harder to change and often get left.
My trick with alignment is to use an old fishing rod, check tyre at front 3 o clock then back 9 0 clock and keep adjusting till same both sides, this ensures that tyres are both pointing in the same direction at least, works well for me!!