Uncontrolable handling

[Rich]

Hi all, I have decided I am going to have to do somthing about this one now.

Back in April, I had two new front tyres fitted to my 500 Diesel van on 13" wheels. Since this, I have noticed the handling has progressivly got worse and worse, and the van was driven the other night by my dad, who was nearly caught out by it, and got me very worried as a passenger.

The problem is that on cornering, no matter how big, just normal road bends, under power, the van will suddenly catch, and tries to throw the back end out. You then have to correct it quickly, there is no warning, it just grabs at the front, and the back goes. Its worse on a left hand bend, and is almost non existant if you coast or have no throttle on when going round. None of my other vans do this.

If it happens and your not ready for it, it could really catch you out. I have now got used to it, but Dad is really not happy about me driving it, which is understandable.

Within the last three years, I have fitted new springs to the rear, with shocks and bushes except for the rear upper spring mount bush. All new from Ledbury. The front struts were replaced at the same time, with new cup washers/rubbers. The tyres are all Michelin tyres, now equally worn, and about 3/4 of the way through there life, they are correctly inflated. Load in the van makes no difference, and a trailor makes it very un-nerving.

My thoughts are, when the front tyres were replaced, they were not correcly balanced, or the tracking is out, but they are evenly worn. The front ARB bushes are absolutly screwed and results in a knocking noise when braking or pulling off sometimes. This could be a reason, or maybe another bush somewhere is knackerd? Dad thought the chassis was bent, but I don't believe this to be the case.

Any thoughts, before I go and get fleeced by a garage trying to find a solution?

Many thanks, Rich

[G Force]

Just a thought but is the diesel tank filler cap secure and not leaking diesel? I remember early austin metro's having the same problem until they first modified the filler cap and then eventually moved the filler position to a different place altogether.

[Rich]

Hi GForce, the cap does leak sometimes, but not a lot. Very rarely there will be a wet patch around the cap, and down the side, but only a minimul amount comes from here, usually after filling right up so fuel is in the neck.

[G Force]

In that case I would say change the cap from one of the ok diesel vans and either change or steam clean the n/s rear tyre, and see what happens. A small amount of diesel on the tyre could cause it to lose grip.:)

[Rich]

Very intresting theory! Hadn't even considered that one, will give it a go!

[mgdavid]

will almost certainly be a front bottom balljoint. I test drove a Monty turbo down in Kent a while back, nearly threw me off a roundabout at only 30mph, owner said 'I told you it needed a balljoint' !

[Rich]

It has got its original ball joints on there, and I suppose after 150k they must be due a change! Can you tell on the ramp if there knackered, I mean by prying a bar between the joint and the hub? I usually just look for the rubber perished and hanging off to merit a change!

[BIGLAD]

It has got its original ball joints on there, and I suppose after 150k they must be due a change! Can you tell on the ramp if there knackered, I mean by prying a bar between the joint and the hub? I usually just look for the rubber perished and hanging off to merit a change!

Just jack the front up so the wheels are off the ground. Then with both hands grab the "front" of the tyre (the part nearest the front bumper) at about " 3 O Clock ". Vigurously push/pull the tyre in one swift movement. If a bottom ball joint is knackered it will show up as a "jerking type" movement of the wheel/tyre. It is more difficult to try and explain but a piece of cake to do/demonstrate.

[BIGLAD]

Hi all, I have decided I am going to have to do somthing about this one now.

The problem is that on cornering, no matter how big, just normal road bends, under power, the van will suddenly catch, and tries to throw the back end out. You then have to correct it quickly, there is no warning, it just grabs at the front, and the back goes. Its worse on a left hand bend, and is almost non existant if you coast or have no throttle on when going round. None of my other vans do this.


Within the last three years, I have fitted new springs to the rear, with shocks and bushes except for the rear upper spring mount bush. All new from Ledbury. The front struts were replaced at the same time, with new cup washers/rubbers. The tyres are all Michelin tyres, now equally worn, and about 3/4 of the way through there life, they are correctly inflated. Load in the van makes no difference, and a trailor makes it very un-nerving.





Many thanks, Rich

Hi,
I have had this once before in one of my vans and it was one (cant remember which one) of the bushes/bolts in the end of the leaf springs worn. This too seemed to "steer from the rear".
I see from your original post that you have replaced them. Just check to make sure one of the bolts hasnt worked loose.
The way I checked the bush was to put a tyre lever between the spring end and the spring hanger and lever to and fro.
I put up with mine for the short time it got real bad, approx. 8 weeks as I had already planned to pension the old girl off!
(I have also seen this problem in a Monty saloon that had covered mega miles and the bush in the H frame was shot)

[Simon]

I'd go for worn bottom ball joints myself - they usually go through an MOT like it, but the handling can be very vague and tricky, steering wheel kickback and dramatic response to changes in road surface and camber can make driving a little un-nerving.

[E_T_V]

My van used to be exactly the same, with two different causes. The first was loose bottom strut bolts on the front. When I say loose, I mean not stupidly tight, they loosened themselves off twice after I replaced the struts. After doing them up VERY tight they've been fine since.

The second time was worn bottom ball joints. My van is on at least its 3rd set at about 230k.

[Rich]

Well, last night I changed both lower arms, inc' ball joints for a pair I had from the clubman TD which I knew were good, and the Anti-Roll bar with a second hand one which had good condition bushes on.

The difference is amazing, after having the tracking set, its like driving a (nearly) new vehicle. It no longer wanders or catches or crabs, and the CD does not jump at every drain cover now. In fact a much nicer ride.

The ARB bushes were shot to bits, one had the rubber "oozing" out each end of the tube, and the other had turned oval shape, and slopped about on the bar. These were well overdue a change. The ball joints were the originals, and so after 145k, have done well!

Thanks all for your help and advice, Rich.

[E_T_V]

Keep the old knackered anti-roll bars and cast some new rubber into them to refurb them!