2000 SC '71 - NSF wobble @low speed / grinding

M

M_G

New Member
Hello -
I have looked through previous topics and seen similar, but all slightly different symptoms.

Mine are these:
1 - Noticeable wobble on NSF - felt also in the steering wheel, between 5 and 15/20 mph - smooth after 25mph.
2 - Regardless of speed - noise from NSF wheel (sounds like bearing worn ?).
3 - Apart from the wobble at lower speed, ride is otherwise very comfortable.

My car is a 71 2000 SC.

Advice appreciated - I am not used to these modern, complicated suspension arrangements !
(previous owned cars have all been early 60's - MGB / Sunbeam Rapier / Austin Cambridge / Daimler 2.5)

thank you
M_G
 
It may well be the bearing, but first check the condition of the tyre in detail. I had a similar problem for ages & realised (by accident) that the tyre had a 'flat' on it. I hadn't looked previously because the tyre was pretty new.

Phil.
 
Cheers Phil -
checked the trye, looks OK.
Swapped with the spare just to test - made the problem WORSE ! (The spare is a few PSi under pressure).
thanks anyway - M_G.
 
Hello -

re disk - next thing to come off !
I have ordered a bearing kit anyway as I will be removing the calliper to inspect.
The calliper is binding at the moment (worked out that it's the pads rubbing that's causing the noise).
Whether it's just sticky/corroded, can't yet tell.

There is some play on the hub but only slight - up and down, not L+R but that might be due to the calliper sticking.
Ball joints seem OK - but haven't checked throroughly, had to give up - getting too wet !

I wish it would stop raining, I loathe working in this weather - I have another car in my garage with no engine so the P6 is outside at the moment . . .
 
You could try another tyre already on the car in case your NSF and spare are both defective
Change the front wheels over and see if the vibration changes sides too
 
if u have up down movement but no side ways movement it wont be wheel bearing loose!!maybe a suspension joint is knacked..
also try swapping the wheels over as dave say it made it worse both tyre cant be to great..
 
Hello -

Wheel bearing was loose - why up and down not L+R not wholly sure, but I replaced the bearing as I had the hub off and now solid.
No play up,down, left or right.

Ball joints all appear solid - no play, bushes all reasonable, not split.

So now quite stumped as wobble still there and have swapped all wheels round a few times now !

Whether the wobble/shimmy is actually the left wheel - now hard to tell - I initially assumed it was NSF as it sounded like the bearing was chewed up but in fact it was a sticking calliper.
It does FEEL worse sitting in the passenger seat when out and about - but can't be 100% sure.

Unless anyone else has any suggestions, might have to pass on to an expert - I live in Oxfordshire - can anyone recommend anybody in the area ?

I know where to go for Austin/Daimler help but new to Rovers (our first one !).

thanks-
M_G.
 
Try Colin Gould at Kingsdown Classics. Nice bloke, knows his P6 stuff, very helpful. I found these details for him:
KINGSDOWN CLASSICS
Everything and anything for the classic car.
Specialists in the Rover P6 Model
Restoration, General Servicing and Repairs.
Parts, MoT Work.
Welding above MoT Standard
We have special experience in British cars
Re-imported from the corrosion-free climate of California
Everything from a Mini to a Rolls-Royce
New & used spares for the Rover P6
KINGSDOWN CLASSIC
UNIT 21,PIONEER ROAD
FARINGDON
Tel/Fax:01367 244646
Email:kingsdown at classicgarages.co.uk
 
Will let you know the outcome.
Going to get it looked at in a fortnight or so - fingers crossed nothing too serious.

Thanks for everyones advice thus far - much appreciated !
 
Shimmy-shimmy has been banished !

I think the primary culprit were the tyres, as quite a few people suggested.
Only one was obviously worn - feathered very badly - the rest all had good tread.
But we have replaced all 5 tyres to be sure - spare included - and had the tracking sorted, which was definitely out.
The box was a tad slack - not too much play tightened but tightened all the same (not OVER tight of course !)

Now as smooth as you can hope for a 36 year old car and handling a little more positively on 185's instead of 165's.

Why it felt worse on the NSF I've no idea as we swapped the tyres round half a dozen times and it always felt worse at the front - maybe the tracking being out didn't help ?

Thank you for all the suggestions.

M_G
 
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