Bent?

[Lap]

Have an 1989 8V Digi. Its got a funny vibration I can feel through the footwell and steering wheel after 60+ mph and it pulls to the left.

Last night, I noticed that the nearside front wheel sits closer to the sill than the other side. I then measured the distance from the front wheel to the back one and compared to the other side. The nearside was 3/4" shorter! 

I'm now thinking its been in a smash but nothing seems bent under the bonnet and the boot floor looks OK. Tyre wear is normal too. What could be damaged?

[bomp]

You sure that you haven't got a 14" wheel thrown on one side, amongst a bunch of 15"s (or other mix of size).  Or the tyre wall height might be different than the others.

Centre to centre measurement is the most acurate, and if it is out, it maybe a bent wishbone or rear axle.

A good way to tell if a chassis is bent is to check the allignment of the bonnet to the wings, and the doors to the chassis.

[Lap]

Nope, unfortunately, all four wheels are tyres are the same. Plus, I did measure centre to centre.

[Organisys]

Check these:

Strut Top mounts.

Front hub Ball Joints.

Wishbone bushes and wishbones themselves

Rear beam and rear beam bushes.

Let us know how u get on!

[Lap]

Update. Took it to the local garage. He said he couldn't see anything obviously bent and recommended a 4 wheel geometry check (£60).

I just assumed he would look at the front wheel and see that it is closer to the sill than the other one and go from there. Or am I being naive? 

[rubjonny]

it could be the entire subframe has shifted, there is a little play in it when the bolts are loose!

[was_ser]

I have got the same problem and I change the wishbone but this didn't sort it. Going to see a guy on Thursday to see if my sub frame is bent of the shock is...fingers crossed.

[Lap]

Well, I was going to tell the garage to go ahead with their geometry check but then my wife very inconsiderately went into labour! 

However, now the kid has been born, I can finally get round to doing it again. Apparently, the garage do a 4 wheel alignment check as per usual but also dangle plumb lines from the chassis and mark it all up. I don't really understand it but I guess all this will tell them where it is bent and if there is any vertical and/or lateral distortion. At least that's how I understand it! 

Even if its not repairable, I'd still like to know the extent of the damage. I'll keep you posted.

Also, I got rid of the vibration at 60+mph by junking the aftermarket alloys and spigot rings and putting on some boggo standard bottletops.

[lewis1641]

congratulations on the nipper!

[junglebunny]

Congratulations on the baby.