123-escortgti Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I took my car out for the first time in a while yesterday, but it wanders all over the place, it feels almost impossible to keep in a straight line! The steering feels really light! I have new wishbones, droplinks, trackrod ends, discs and pads fitted as well as new rear wheel bearings. Anyone got any ideas what it could be? The car is doing my head in now and if i have to spend much more money on it, it'll be sold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 ... and did this happen as soon as the new parts were fitted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123-escortgti Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Steering felt light before that, not sure about the wandering all over the place, had only moved it from my drive to garage a few times since i bought it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie74 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 who did the wishbones? cause you have to tighten them up with the car on the ground,, that might explain some of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveB Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Did you get the tracking reset after changing the wishbones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123-escortgti Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 I did them, didn't tighten them up with car on the ground though! Didn't realise you had to, are they knackered now, or just refit them properly? Had tracking done after, as fitted new trackrod ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie74 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 they should be ok,, not sure though,, just know its one of the common golden rules that get broken,, personally id loosen the bolts and retighten and see what happens,, if that doesnt help then dont know,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellykins Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 similar problem to what happend on my mrs polo. Wishbone needed tightening up and something to do with anti roll bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveB Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Could be cheap wishbones. Does the car move sideways when you accelerate/brake? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123-escortgti Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Not really when i accelerate or brake, no more then it is doing anyway! The anti roll links i took off were bend to buggery, so i got new ones of them on too! Have the wishbone bolts gotta be super tight? I'm going to loosen them, stick it up on ramps and re-tighten them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escort4x4 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 about tightening up wishbone bolts while on the floor is a fairy tale, before you drop car on all four wheels, double check to make sure all bolts are very tight, the lower ball joint wont fall out, there is a notch out of it which a bolts slides in. if the lower ball joint has gone in properly i.e bolt has not gone thro the notch in it, then this can cause it, but i doubt that has happened are the front tyres the same pattern, plenty tread left also get it tracked mate, id suggest that the tracking is well out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123-escortgti Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 about tightening up wishbone bolts while on the floor is a fairy tale, before you drop car on all four wheels, double check to make sure all bolts are very tight, the lower ball joint wont fall out, there is a notch out of it which a bolts slides in. if the lower ball joint has gone in properly i.e bolt has not gone thro the notch in it, then this can cause it, but i doubt that has happened are the front tyres the same pattern, plenty tread left also get it tracked mate, id suggest that the tracking is well out  Ball joints are definately in secure, i will seriously tighten all the bolts when i'm at the car next and get it tracked up. Tyres have about 6mm of tread left on them and are a pair. Cheers for the info bud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicksy Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Mine did this before i changed the wishbones.And this business about tightening them up with the car on the ground, that must be near impossible to reach the top nuts on the wishbones and with the tyre on must be a swine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escort4x4 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 not only that they are nylon locking nuts, there is no way they should come loose, if they do replace the nut and bolt. as long as the nuts are done up as tight as a ducks bum hole then you should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123-escortgti Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 I think that may be half my problem! I sheared 2 bolts putting one side back together, so didn't want to over tighten the otherside! Hhmmm, let the investigations begin.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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