Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Problems >> Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help!
        
(Message started by: viper7t3 on Jul 28^th, 2008, 8:43am)

Title: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help!
Post by viper7t3 on Jul 28^th, 2008, 8:43am

Hi All,

I have recently purchased a 1995 Ultima 16V 2.0 Auto.

I have noticed that when breaking from 50 down to 30 MPH there is excessive Wheel vibration and the steering wheel vibrates and "wobbles".

I can feel the wheels moving as opposed to remaining steady and in line with the direction of travel.

The previous owner said he noticed it but never questioned it and as it passed the MOT in April this year without any advisories he assumed it was fine.

Does anyone know what this could be or what checks I can do myself to see what the problem is.

Oh also I have notice that when I start the car and drive off the ABS light is permanently illuminated.

Cheers for any help and advice.

Cheers,

Ade

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by PeteB on Jul 28^th, 2008, 10:17am

I'd check the condition of your discs\pads sounds like need replacing.

As for the ABS light you probably have a mucky\faulty sensor, if you know of anyone with a scanner I'd recommend getting it read before you start trying to figure out what is causing the failure.

Regards

Pete

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by bizzay1 on Jul 28^th, 2008, 12:16pm

I would suggest that it's the lower suspension arm rear bushes need replacing- mine needed doing when it went through the MOT

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jul 28^th, 2008, 12:28pm

Prime candidates IMHO have to be warped brake disc/s or a wheel out of balance - maybe a balance weight has fallen off ?

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by taliban aka Cheekyboy2 on Jul 28^th, 2008, 10:39pm

check your pads and discs first of all, doesnt take long and costs nothing, 18 months ago mine suddenly started doing similar, when i checked there was a 1/4 inch chunk of disc missing on the drivers side. i found an ebay company selling them; the usual cheaper aftermarket jobbies but i cant complain £32 for 2 discs pads and postage! and they're still working fine...... ;D

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by Highlander on Jul 28^th, 2008, 10:46pm

Definitely sounds like discs although worn wishbone bushes will do the same.

For the ABS try cleaning the sensors and the rings they take the reading from.

Tyre pressures ok?
Wheel bearings ok?

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by viper7t3 on Jul 29^th, 2008, 8:13am

cheers Guys

I will get the disc n pad checked out today

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by big_timer on Jul 29^th, 2008, 4:32pm

i know it might sound daft.but have you made sure your wheel nuts are tight.sounds lie the classic warped discs,but if you are changing them make sure you change the pads as well so the both of them bed in together

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by viper7t3 on Jul 29^th, 2008, 4:55pm

Yeah I checked the nuts 1st ;D

I have it booked in at my local garage tomorrow so will know what the problems is.

If the discs are warped would this make the car pull/wonder to the left?

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jul 29^th, 2008, 7:30pm

[quote author=viper7t3

If the discs are warped would this make the car pull/wonder to the left?[/quote]

If brakes are pulling to one side it sounds like one caliper is working harder than the other - possibly one binding or seized / sticking.

Garage should be able to check for brake performance / balance on the MOT brake tester.

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by Highlander on Jul 29^th, 2008, 9:35pm

If you've got a steering wander i'd be inclined to think its more the wishbone bushes

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by viper7t3 on Jul 29^th, 2008, 9:38pm

on 07/29/08 at 21:35:20, Highlander wrote:

If you've got a steering wander i'd be inclined to think its more the wishbone bushes

Is this a common fault and is it costly to repair

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jul 29^th, 2008, 9:59pm

Front wishbone bushes - 1 front and 1 rear each side, cost just over £40 from my FMD for the set of 4.
Garage charged about 2 hours labour to change the whole lot.

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by viper7t3 on Jul 29^th, 2008, 10:05pm

So do I take it its worth changing all 4 rather than the 1 that may be faulty

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by Geoff_W on Jul 30^th, 2008, 12:01am

If you have had it checked out and it is bushes probably a good idea if you have the funds available. Will transform the feel of the car.

I had this problem on the 16valve but thought for quite a time that it was disks, so did the garage that supplied and fitted them because they changed the pads and disks three times in 12,000 miles. Bushes sorted it out. Lovely ;)

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by mr._floppy on Jul 31^st, 2008, 12:18am

Renewal of front discs is almost always the correct remedy for the classic symptoms so described.

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by Geoff_W on Jul 31^st, 2008, 11:08pm

Agreed Floppy, which is why I kept getting new sets of discs and pads under warranty, however in my case it was only resolved when rather than fitting a fourth set the garage concerned suggested fitting bushes.

Job done car sorted.

I suspect that I would still say discs first but it really is worth getting the bushes checked!

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by auntiephil on Aug 14^th, 2008, 9:27pm

Ade, did you get to the bottom of this problem as i have the same problem,it would benefit everyone to know the answer,phil.

Title: Re: Excessive Wheel Vibration when Breaking - Help
Post by joe-satch on Aug 15^th, 2008, 9:40am

hi..our daughters ultima had this problem,until i changed the 2 rubber front lower wishbone bushes....all is well now...cheap and easy to do. :).