Should I replace my car?

ripplyuk

I'm in Northern Ireland, south Down area. The car has only about 50,000 miles on it so I'd be keen to fix it rather than replace but I know I can't continue with this for safety reasons. Other people driving it have noticed the problem immediately as its very obvious.

ripplyuk

Just spoke to the mechanic about getting the full geometry allignment done and he says it cannot be done on my car, only in newer cars. Something about the back wheels being fixed to the chassis and only the front wheels can be aligned. Does this sound correct?

jaymidlands

nope he talking crap..A full alignment cheakcs the back axle is actually straight and not bent(its possible as well it could have a bent stub axle)
Also could be steering rack bushs are worn..
take the car to ats or F1 (dont use kwik fit as they will rip u off big time) ask for a full check on suspension and steering and alignment and get it adjusted bet the car feels much better afterwards and if something is worn they will find it(sounds like both mechanics you have seen are rubbish)

ripplyuk

I can't seem to find any ats or F1 centres here. The places I've rang only seem to do the basic wheel alignment. Could anyone recommend a good reliable place to go to in Co.Down?

AdrianC

Very quick check to see if the problem lies with the basic mechanicals and alignment, or whether it's power steering related... Pull the fuse from the power steering. Drive it. Yes, the steering will be heavier - but it'll be even side-to-side.

Slowly_does_it..

Agree AdrianC - remove the power assist. Yes, it will be heavier, but it will then narrow any faults down to either power steering or actual mechanics.

My old fiesta used to wake me up and start weaving after speed bumps, certain corners, this was from worn (completely missing) rear suspension bushes, so the entire rear wheel assembly was moving around. Rather alarming driving!

Grab each wheel and try move it back and forwards, in and out, etc, you should not be able to move the wheels any significant amount.

Yes, they cannot change the rear wheel alignment on that car, but a check would show if it is lined up. The mention of the car sometimes not self centering sounds like it could be the top of the front suspension moving around, changing the camber of that wheel, and thus changing the self centering feel of the steering.

If the car is otherwise in good nick, keep trying, but if rust is starting it might be time to do a runner!

Stoke

Sell it on Gumtree. Take a hit. Buy another second hand Corsa with working steering. They go for pennies.