Not A Gal But I Need Help

[broom broom]

Hello everyone I need help with my beloved puma :wub:

 

The problem i have is the n/s wheel is rubbing off the inner arch when the steering wheel is turned full lock to the right it only does it on the n/s and only when the wheel it turned to the right

 

I've had many people look at it and no one seems to be able to pin point an exact cause of why it does it

 

they've said it was the drop link it was replaced and it still did it then the wishbone and it still does it the springs been replaced in the last year too and there is no sign of damage to it

 

Now the tracking is out slightly on the car but only very slightly took it to have it done a couple of days ago and they told me there was no point doing it till i had this problem sorted out

 

am told i need a new shocker which shall be in place tomorrow but am not convinced a worn shocker is causing this problem so am open to suggestions as to what could be causing this

 

please someone help me am at the end of my tether with this!

 

oh p.s the wheel has caused so much damage to the wheel arch it's wearing a hole in my air con pipe!

Edited November 2, 2007 by broom broom

[gaznlou]

Try Pumapeople.com, Very helpful site, just like this one :wub:

Gaz

[broom broom]

i am also but it's a slow process lol

[insider]

Obvious questions:

1) Are the original factory-fitted wheels still fitted or have they been changed? Are the correct profile tyres fitted?

2) If you swap the 2 front wheels does it still happen? If not, then the problem is with that specific wheel, possibly damaged in some way? If it does still happen then there could be something wrong with the wheel arch on that side.

3) Has the car ever been involved in an accident? Could the wheel arch on that side be deformed? How does it compare with the other side?

4) From the centred / straight ahead position, how many turns of the steering wheel does it take to reach full lock on the left? Then, how many turns does it take from centre to full right lock? If there is a difference, then the steering rack is not centred properly and the wheel is turning further than it should on one side.

[mumof4]

I can answer a couple of questions for her as i have been helping her online.

 

The wheels/tyres are the standard ones.Not modified in anyway etc..

 

full lock is same for both sides.

 

car also drifts to the left when being driven

 

sorry H. hope you dont mind me adding this info :wub:

[Biscuit]

Whats the tyre wear like?

[insider]

car also drifts to the left when being driven

Accident damage? Chassis bent?

Have you ruled out a problem with that specific wheel?

[gaznlou]

The following are answers from Puma people (I have removed user id's)

 

 

no it wasn't haven't been back to them since they charged me

[broom broom]

i had the tyres changes 2 days ago because the tyre on the bad side was balding on the outside thats a brand new tyre on the bad side

 

the wear you see on the shock i rubbed that cause there was a dent on it but i checked the other side and it is the same

 

i've tried loads of garages and am still not getting an answer for the problem

 

it's not been in an accident that am aware of but am thinking i should do an HPI check on it see what that comes up with there is nothing recorded on the logbook but thats not to say it's never had a bump ;)

 

mum0f4 you can answer for me any time you speak better jibber jabber than i do :wub:

[galaxytony]

has the puma got a subframe like the mondeo if so is it a manual or automatic transmission if manual has clutch been replaced if it has has subframe been realined properly or are the mounting bushes worn

[broom broom]

it has a subframe yeah and it's a manual if the clutch has been replaced it wasn't by me and i've owned it since last november but i've had the problem that long too am planning on stripping the whole front end down so i'll start with the shocker and the cv gator and see where that takes me

 

i can't take the car off the road it's just not convient am really thinking of just taking it to a fraud dealer and seeing what they say it's the bloody cost though it's christmas and am skint!

[Neils TDi again]

it has a subframe yeah and it's a manual if the clutch has been replaced it wasn't by me and i've owned it since last november but i've had the problem that long too am planning on stripping the whole front end down so i'll start with the shocker and the cv gator and see where that takes me

 

i can't take the car off the road it's just not convient am really thinking of just taking it to a fraud dealer and seeing what they say it's the bloody cost though it's christmas and am skint!

 

 

Broom Broom

 

A very common failure and would possibly cause the misalignment when stationary and not when driving is the lower rear wishbone arm bushes being worn.

 

This manifests as the steering wheel needing to be jogged to the left or right at the moment you start to brake, it remains that way until you stop but initially on acceleration it jogs back the other direction.

 

Like many other bushes it is not always picked up on an alignment as it is a dynamic response to speed and loadings. if you get someone to stand and watch the wheel as you pass them and brake they will see the wheel move backwards in relation to the wheel arch, if this is occuring more on the offside of the vehicle then the nearside wheel will need to move to compensate for the movement in the offside geometry this would account for the wheel hitting the inner wing.

 

The other allternatives are very frightening, worn steering rack, a loose steering rack or indeed a bent chassis leg.

 

Hope its the bushes.

[mumof4]

I believe this problem is now fixed due to something ( cant remember what she said now) being adjusted.