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MG MGF Technical - Scuttle Shake / Ride

My F (2.5 years old, 36K) seems to be suffering from increased 'scuttle shake' than felt previously. It also seems increasingly sensitive to minor blemishes in road surface. I had put it down to the ride height being lower due to the cold temperatures throughout the winter but it still feels the same now its warmer. Could this be due to wear and tear or should I be looking at replacing shock absorbers, wheel bearings, bushes etc. ?

Cheers.
Dave.


Dave

How are you detecting the scuttle-shake Dave? If by noticing the rear mirror moving around, then check its seating- it's caught me out before! LOL

If though the steering and the w/s frame moving then I am surprised...
Rob Bell

Tracking ? Wheel balance ?
Jerome

I also think my car has more 'scuttle shake' - actually less stiff - than before.
I notice it most when the there is a sudden change in road gradient, as in a multi-storey car park ramp, especially with the roof up.
My VVC is just coming up to 4 years, 33K miles.

Steve
Steve

Rob

I've noticed movement (lateral pitching ?) whilst on the move. The hood seems to creak and groan a lot more too.

<< Jerome >>
I'm going to get the tracking & wheel balancing done again soon. Hopefully that may improve things.

Perhaps I've been driving my wifes new BMW 3 series too much. I dont experience any sensations of driving in that car. Everything is so smooth, quiet, cossetting, sleepy zzZZ. :)

Cheers
Dave
David Mason

Mine is the same '96 VVC 60K on the clock. Its really deteriorated over the last year. Same symptoms - any bump in the road gives a shake - especially via the steering wheel (usually side to side). Also as I engage the clutch and move off I get a shake in the steering wheel. In rest the steering wheel can sometimes vibrate. I can't detect any movement sideways or up and down if I try to move the wheel by hand.

I've replaced all shocks and changed to polybushes - no real change apart from a harsher ride.

On the motorway its fine.
Gaz

Me too. I was also caught out by a loose mirror, but after re-seating it i was still getting a fair amount of scuttle shake however. Untill now i put this down to Scarlet's much harder ride, but maybe there is something else to blame?

SF
Scarlet Fever


If I was to say that by age the spot-welds is playing up You will all get me flamed ?

Regards , Carl.
Carl

Nope Carl, that is a good suggestion. Certainly with 5 years and 79,000 miles on the clock, Scarlet could very well be suffering from old spot welds / metal fatigue.

SF
Scarlet Fever


Yes, could be that (for crash safety there seems to be far between spotwelds at the front !)
But at the other hand.... Your´s a -96 an possibly still on the original black front-subframe mounts ?
They would be rather tired by now ! The exchange ones are painted green and supposed to be Mark II, i.e. "better" ..
Carl.
Carl

Try checking out the lower shocker bushes, remove road wheel and grip shocker and try twisting it on the mount a small amount is acceptable.
mike.
mike

When I eventually get my car's suspension sorted, I plan to do exactly as Carl suggests- fit the later Mk2 'green' subframe bushes to replace rather tired 5.5 year old vintage ones. As the dampers are going to be replaced as well, the bushes aren't an issue, but good point Mike, well made.

Rob
Rob Bell

I guess to back up what Mike said (and to plug one of his products) i felt my car was a bit 'shakier' than before so i fitted the shocker poly bushes and it definetly improved things. Ride was improved and the car no longer crashed through every pot hole. This was only after 30k miles
Matt

Up to see mike on the 8th May for the slick shift ... will ask him for a diagnosis.

Gaz
Gaz

...NEWS JUST IN...

Shaky ride now accompanied by a "pop" from the front when under accelaration (especially when cornering). Car is booked into my dealer for a diagnosis on a week on Thursday, more news as it happens...

SF
Scarlet Fever

This thread was discussed between 26/04/2001 and 01/05/2001

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.