Non-Maestro advice...

[hornmeister2000]

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

[Beaker]

Does it only happen at one certain speed? We had that on the Rover 214, turns out there was an egg in the tyre, once it was replaced it didn't happen again.

[hornmeister2000]

It happens at 70 and I can't drive through it. Well... I reached 85 then decided it wasn't worth a speeding ticket! I've had the wheels balanced and tyres checked and nothing came up. It was at a tyre place and you know what they're like finding any excuse to sell some tyres, but they didn't!

[SimonR]

Hi Neil,

I had a similar problem with my Maestro. I had the wheel alignment, tracking and balancing sorted but it still happened. Then I got hold of a new driveshaft/CV joint/wheel bearing/caliper/brake disc unit and that got rid of the problem.

I never did find out exactly what was causing it but it wan't tyres, suspension or bushes in my case.

The only difference I can see is that I was able to drive through the vibration. It started at about 58mph, increased to about 65 and then stayed all the way to about 75 where it tailed off by the time I got to about 85. It might be that you haven't gone fast enough to shake it off though...

Don't know if that's useful but if I were you I'd consider looking at the wheel bearing and CV joint.

Wht does anyone else think?

[MG Stew]

I also had a the same problem on my Rover 100. Turned out to be a worn Track Rod End. Once i replaced that it was fine. You can check this by jacking the car up, getting someone to hold onto the steering wheel and wiggling the front wheels. When you do it wiggle up and down and left and right. if you get movment left or right then you have a problem with a track rod end.

[E_T_V]

Funily enough that is tomorrows job to change the CV joint and driveshaft on the van as it is knackered and vibrates like hell. It is ok and 60. develops a judder at 70 whcih goes away at 75 until I hit about 90 when it starts up again with avengence.

As the cortina is rear wheel drive I think check the propshaft universal joints and the bolts are tight and any bearings on them.

[hornmeister2000]

Thanks - I'll have a look tomorrow. Is replacing a track rod end a DIY job?

[MG Stew]

Yes it is i did mine but its best to take it to be tracked afterwards. Can be a sod to get off if they havent moved for a while too. Lots of WD40 and a big spanner and mole grips to hold onto the rod so that you can twist the old trackrod end off. Just remember to count the turns when you remove it so you can put the new one in a similar place.

[hornmeister2000]

Thanks for your help, guys - I'll try this tomorrow if the weather's good!

[B18 GPC]

I never did find out exactly what was causing it but it wan't tyres, suspension or bushes in my case.

Wheel Ballencing Simon . ;) :( :thumbup: ..

What it sounds like to me , aswell ...

[B18 GPC]

Yes it is i did mine but its best to take it to be tracked afterwards. Can be a sod to get off if they havent moved for a while too. Lots of WD40 and a big spanner and mole grips to hold onto the rod so that you can twist the old trackrod end off. Just remember to count the turns when you remove it so you can put the new one in a similar place.


Gas Bottles can be good .. :thumbup: .

On this note , using heat on any suspection areas is an MoT No-no :o :thumbup:

[E_T_V]

Gas Bottles can be good .. :thumbup: .

On this note , using heat on any suspection areas is an MoT No-no :o :thumbup:

Thats not quite true. Using heat to get a bush out of a wishbone is fine. Heating shocks is of course silly as they are highly pressurised and may explode. Heating suspension components isn't a good idea but you won't fail an MOT for doing it.

[B18 GPC]

Thats not quite true. Using heat to get a bush out of a wishbone is fine. Heating shocks is of course silly as they are highly pressurised and may explode. Heating suspension components isn't a good idea but you won't fail an MOT for doing it.

Oh well , Im not a tester .. :beer:

[aerosam99]

Hi guys, just popping by to see whats going on..

FYI mk 2 cortina's don't have CV joints, they are rear wheel drive with a live axle.

Track rod ends will definitely cause this, I had the exact same problem on the capri. If changing that doesn't fix it, suspect your botom ball joint is gone. This is easiest to fix by replacing your suspension lower arm, and has the advantage of giving you new anti-roll bar bushes at the same time.

However, if you intend to keep this car and like to drive it, can i saggest you get a complete set of superflex bushes for it, they are available cheaply and easily. A garage shouldn't charge a whole lot to fit them either.

Hope this helps,

Sam

[Beaker]

Hi how is the 214 going?

[hornmeister2000]

That's all really helpful - thanks!

[E_T_V]

Judging by some of the posts on mg-rover forums probably best not to ask ;)

[skipweasel]

<snip>Replacing drive shafts.
Wht does anyone else think?My Montego was getting undriveable at about 40mph till I changed the driveshafts. It felt like it was swaying side to side. Most unpleasant.

[Paulr]

Am I the only one here thinking - Mk2 Cortina......85mph!?

What year is year Cortina? - there was the MK1 with the rocket rear lights (early 60's I think), the late 60's square Mk2, then another square but more modern MK3 up to the 80's. Then the jellymould Sierra! If it is the late 60's Mk2 here then 85 is going some - or were the ones I had just clapped out?

[aerosam99]

Hi how is the 214 going?


grrrrr! bloomin thing's gone senile! wish i could bin the injection and chuck a good old SU carb on it.

Hey, even my capri is gonna get Rover'ed up! I have a luverly 3.5 V8 from an SD1 sat on a stand in the garage ready to be overhauled, complete with an LT77 box. That's gonna be fun when i get it going!

[MG MAL]

There were 5 versions of the cortina, although the Mk5 was just a facelift version of the mk4.

(sad i know)

Mal.

[tony]

There were 5 versions of the cortina, although the Mk5 was just a facelift version of the mk4.

(sad i know)

Mal.
the mk 5 had bigger rear lights
:thumbup:
(sad i know)

[Paulr]

You see that big glass area in the wall next to the computer, with blue and green in, (and sometimes lots of water coming down from the blue) and all the light comes in during the day? Evidently that is where I need to go and get a life, according to my wife.

Sounds a bit iffy to me.

The 3.5 V8 will eat the original 2.8 Capri gearbox BTW, so it will devour the 2.0 gearbox. The Land Rover box you have should do the trick though.

[E_T_V]

Or if you've got the SD1 gearbox won't that fit too?

My mate is putting a 3.5 rover v8 into a hyundai stellar. (And you thought I was mad for owning a maestro!)

[aerosam99]

heheh, i don't even know what a hyundai stellar is but it sounds crazy! good luck to your mate!

I will indeed be using the Rover box, just a little concerned that the back axle might not be able to handle it. Oh well, just have to put it all together and see what happens.

[hornmeister2000]

Sorry for the slow reply - been on holiday. The Cortina in question is a 1969 MkII with a recently recon 1.6l engine. It'll probably do more than 85, but I'm not gonna risk a fine to find out!

Still shakes though. Might trade it in for another Maestro...!