Jer309GTi 3 Posted November 3, 2006 The front suspension and steering on my XS have felt 'loose' and not right ever since I bought it. After checking everthing over I started replacing bits that were worn or that were cheap to replace, just so I could eliminate them. So far I have replaced: Both lower arms Both T-R-Ends Both front shocks Both strut top mounts and rubbers ARB bushes Tracking adjusted on 4 wheel laser alignment machine Checked tightness of subframe mounts All engine mounts replaced But yet the suspension still feels 'loose' and the car feels really crashy and there is still a knocking over bumps. Also the car seems to follow the camber of the road really badly (might be down to the 15s). The steering rack has the tiniest bit of wear in and the column joints seem fineso would imagine this wasn't the cause. Are the front subframes bolted to the body with some kind of bush that could wear? Or would the holes in the hub where the ball joint goes through have gone oval? I'm stumped as to what else could be wrong with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,626 Posted November 3, 2006 have you checked the condition of the rear beam bushes? subframes bolt directly and have no bushes, have you checked the condition of the dampers? crashy ride is usually down to worn out or too stiff a damper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jer309GTi 3 Posted November 3, 2006 Rear suspension is all fine, problem lies with front suspension. As I said before, front shocks are new, I replaced them with OEM ones, so won't be too stiff or worn. Replacing the shocks didn't really make any difference to the problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
inferno 1 Posted November 4, 2006 front drop links from antiroll bar to shocks. jack the car on the subframe so both wheels are off the floor and check each end for play. they always go and are around 10-15quid each to replace. usually a pig though and need cutting off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 189 Posted November 4, 2006 No drop links on the XS. It could be the bushes between the front subframe and chassis legs or the play in the rack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jer309GTi 3 Posted November 4, 2006 No drop links on the XS. It could be the bushes between the front subframe and chassis legs or the play in the rack. Cheers Sandy, heres hoping its the subrame bushes and not the rack! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grahamrally 0 Posted November 4, 2006 It's worth checking all the mounts for the subframe are done up tight. I had numerous problems on my old XS where the rear subframe bolts would rattle themselves out! That then causes a knock as the subframe bangs the bottom of the car. Not good for handling either! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 189 Posted November 4, 2006 2nd that, my Goodwood had it bad and the subframe cracked as a result. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jer309GTi 3 Posted November 5, 2006 Checked tightness of subframe mounts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim21070 2 Posted November 6, 2006 No drop links on the XS. I take it then that an XS has the base-model arms then, where the ARB goes into a bush in the arm. I think it is just how these feel and nothing is really wrong. Going from my GTi to our D Junior is a sea-change as far as handling and feel is concerned. The D feels almost damgerous in comparason and is nowhere near as firmly planted as the GTi. Its a comfy ride though but you can forget all about spirited cornering... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 241 3 Cars Posted November 7, 2006 I take it then that an XS has the base-model arms then, where the ARB goes into a bush in the arm. Yes, it is possible that thw hub balljoint holes have gone oval but imo that'd be noticed when you were tracking it up. When you take a left or right corner does it sfel to adjust the steering input as the weight moves onto the outside wheel? Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
calvinhorse 870 Posted November 7, 2006 sounds like when my rack went id try that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jer309GTi 3 Posted November 8, 2006 When you take a left or right corner does it sfel to adjust the steering input as the weight moves onto the outside wheel? Graham. What did you mean to write when you said 'sfel'? You don't need to adjust the steering as the weight shifts, you mainly noticed the 'looseness' when accelerating and you hit a pothole, just like when a ball joint has gone, which was what led me to believe the hubs had gone oval. Is it obvious if they are oval if you have a look up through the hole, or would you need vernier calipers to check? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 241 3 Cars Posted November 8, 2006 What did you mean to write when you said 'sfel'? Just figured out what I think mean't to say; feels. Is it obvious if they are oval if you have a look up through the hole, or would you need vernier calipers to check? Yes but its not easy by eye, you can tell though. Another way is that if you know the balljoints & the bolts through the hub are good. With the car on the wheels lever between the hub & wshbone by the balljoint. If there is movement between the hub & balljoint they are most likely oval. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
