Car feels unsteady at high speed

[Namrood]

Hi guys

Only had my 206cc since Friday but I have noticed a small problem.

When doing about 70mph the car feels light and unsteady. The easiest way really to describe it is imagine you have just gone over some ice and the car feels unsafe for a split second.

It doesn't pull left or right when breaking, also it goes in a straight line. Tyres are set to 2.3psi all round. Also there is no kind of vibration felt throughout the steering wheel when accelerating or braking.

I can hear a rumbling noise from the back and my exhaust rattles which doesn't help. But I'm Hobbs see if the wheel nuts have become loose.

Any idea as to why it feels like this apart from its age (51 plate)

Thanks
Rick

[GrandadMonkey]

I assume you mean 2.3 bar. (about 33 psi)

What tyres do you have on the car? Are they all the same make, size and tread pattern? What is the tread depth on each tyre? How old are the tyres (check the date code)?

Welcome to the forum.

[Karrot]

could also be wishbone bushes. Mine was squirly until I had both wishbones replaced.

K

[Namrood]

Thanks for you advise

I have checked my tyres and all are at 2.3bar. But I do have 15" wheels and they are not the original wheels for the car as the are "tsw" wheels.

Both front tyres are Pirelli p5000 but the rears are different makes on either side.

I'm gonna get a matching se for the rears. Also as they are 15" maybe the 2.3 bar is too much for them. So been told to drop them to 2bar and see what happens.

Booked car in for a pre-mot so I can see if I need to replace anything as actual mot is in September.

[GrandadMonkey]

Ok, let us know how you get on. Good luck!

[Namrood]

HI guys got car back form having pre-mto done and basically the car failed

This is what are the problems:

Battery weak
Airbag light on
Washers not working (tube off)
O/S door mirror missing
Engine noise (sounds like water pump)
rear fog not working
Center stop light less than 50%
O/S Headlamp aim High
N/s headlamp aim no beam pattern
Oil leak
N/S/F drop link worn
N/S/F wheel rim bent
front to rear metal brake pipes rotten
O/S/R axel beam no good

Been told not worth fixing. Told to get light problems fixed frm bits from breakers and trade car in and cut losses

but out of interest how much would i be looking to get this fixed

[GrandadMonkey]

HI guys got car back form having pre-mto done and basically the car failed

This is what are the problems:

Battery weak £70
Airbag light on may go off with new battery, if not may cost £££s
Washers not working (tube off) Zilch - just re-attach tube
O/S door mirror missing £250?
Engine noise (sounds like water pump) £400 if you do timing belt etc too
rear fog not working £25 ish
Center stop light less than 50% £25 ish
O/S Headlamp aim High could be broken, could be adjustment £0 - £75
N/s headlamp aim no beam pattern £75
Oil leak depends where it is leaking £20 - £100 or more)
N/S/F drop link worn £15 for the part
N/S/F wheel rim bent £100 s/h wheel
front to rear metal brake pipes rotten £25 + labour)
O/S/R axel beam no good £150 s/h + labour)

Been told not worth fixing. Told to get light problems fixed frm bits from breakers and trade car in and cut losses And pass the problem on to some other poor unsuspecting person? I wouldn't do that...

Where the heck did you manage to buy that car. We need to avoid that dealer!

but out of interest how much would i be looking to get this fixed more than you paid for it, and more than it would be worth

[Namrood]

Hunted around for some bits to fix this car.

Found prices as follows:

Battery - £60.00
Airbag light - free, new battery stopped this bus also checked cables under seat we all ok.
Washers not working (tube off) - re-attached tube, but bought mist jet washers @ £4.95
O/S door mirror missing - £60.00
Engine noise (sounds like water pump) - will fix later but parts come to £52.00 , £50 to fit (all in)
rear fog not working - changed bulbs all working (free)
Center stop light less than 50% - changed bulbs all working (free)
O/S Headlamp aim High could be broken, could be adjustment - £10 to adjust but fitted new bulb to be safe which was free
N/s headlamp aim no beam pattern - free bulb fitted - original had been fitted incorrectly
Oil leak depends where it is leaking - No oil leak, underside has been cleaned, oil fro old leak
N/S/F drop link worn - £8.45 for both parts and £5 to fit each side
N/S/F wheel rim bent - £90 for second hand wheels
front to rear metal brake pipes rotten - checked at 2 garages, pipes ok, slight pitting but needs clean
O/S/R axel beam no good - £240 (refurbished one) £50 (all in) to fit - but will have to send back old axle.

Total to fix the car £585.40, which is a 1/3 less that what everyone has quoted me

[GrandadMonkey]

Where do you get your free bulbs from?

[gazza82]

Engine noise (sounds like water pump) - will fix later but parts come to £52.00 , £50 to fit (all in)

And a cambelt kit!!! Water pump drives off this so change it while it's all off or you'll be doing it again. If you "mechanic" is planning to swap out the pump without this, then walk away ...

[Namrood]

gazza82 - This is what I have been told to buy (261376056178) but I found it a few pounds cheaper - My mechanic said he wants to get the real axle sorted first. But will be doing cam belt and water pump at the same time - The garage next door to the petrol station I work at will do it all for me.

GrandadMonkey - I work in a petrol station and boss said help yourself to them as we hardly sell only of them. Also the garage next door had a 206 hatchback come in for an mot which failed and the guy said he would scrap it as it had a lot of rust. asked if I could have his bulbs, water bottle cap etc which he agreed to. also bought his wheels for £90 - they are Peugeot Sirocco wheels

[GrandadMonkey]

Well done Rick, you've got some good mates and contacts.