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Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph #1643853
26/08/2020 06:28
26/08/2020 06:28
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
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As noted elsewhere, I've just bought a 2008 MINI Clubman Cooper S as a commuting car for MrsC.
On returning from buying it in Plymouth, it drove fine, except for one issue:

When slowing from motorway speeds down to 50 or below, the steering wheel began to wobble. This would get worse and carry on until I either slowed right down to a virtual halt or accelerated again.

It didn't happen every time I slowed and it didn't ever become unmanageable, but it will need to be sorted.

My observations are:

The car is fitted with run-flat tyres at the front, but not at the rear. At first glance they don't appear unevenly worn

The car has non-standard alloys with spacers. I don't know whether the spacers are for practical purposes, to avoid snagging, or for cosmetic effect.

I don't know if spigot rings should be or are fitted.

I really, really hope it's not a symptom of a shagged steering motor.

Any thoughts, O Gurus?

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643859
26/08/2020 12:43
26/08/2020 12:43
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 559
S Wales
Morrison Offline
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S Wales
Sticky brake piston? Check if the wheel gets hot next time it happens

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643874
27/08/2020 05:36
27/08/2020 05:36
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
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M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
I’ve got to say that I don’t like the sound of running a different type of tyre front and rear - though have no data to suggest it’s a real problem. I don’t think that’s your issue though. When did it last have an MOT? I think it’s most likely a worn bush or ball-joint. It could be exacerbated by a wheel alignment issue - toe adjustment in particular.

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643875
27/08/2020 06:03
27/08/2020 06:03
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
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Thanks for that. Would it throw up a fault code if the piston was sticking? I'm hoping to have time to connect it up to my diagnostic kit this weekend.

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643876
27/08/2020 06:13
27/08/2020 06:13
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
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I agree about the tyres, Rich, especially as I loathe the standard run-flats. It had an MOT in June. I don't know if that is causing or exacerbating another fault. I might see if our friendly local ATS will check the alignment etc. before I invest in new boots all round.
My only doubt is that it doesn't happen every time I slow down.

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643880
27/08/2020 09:55
27/08/2020 09:55
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
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MeanRedSpider  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Cambridge & Cotswolds
Might be some form of “tramlining”, too, Jim - if the spacers aren’t required for offset. My Alfa 33, back in the day, tramlined a lot when I put it on alloys and lower profile tyres.

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643881
27/08/2020 10:13
27/08/2020 10:13
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
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Silly question, but Have you checked the wheel nuts are tight?

The only time I've experienced shudder (rather than wobble) is warped brake discs. They tend to only manifest when slowing down from motorway speeds.

Last edited by Gripped; 27/08/2020 10:13.
Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643883
27/08/2020 10:27
27/08/2020 10:27
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
neil_r Offline
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Germany
Also, try and find out the stock offset for standard wheels and compare with the effective offset of the current wheels and spacers. Changing the offset changes the scrub radius that can then have quite undesirable effects. I'm very much in the school of leaving the suspension of road cars as it was meant to be and the scrub radius seems to be an especially sensitive parameter carefully selected by the original engineers and testers.


Last edited by neil_r; 28/08/2020 08:57. Reason: spelling

1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643888
27/08/2020 17:50
27/08/2020 17:50
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
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Good ideas, everyone. Gripped - I'll check my nuts, so to speak, as it wouldn't be the first time I've driven a car with loose wheel nuts!

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643897
28/08/2020 08:13
28/08/2020 08:13
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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You would feel loose wheel nuts all the time and even more so when cornering

My guess is that the wheel offset is wrong - easy to check by removing the spacers (assuming the wheels fit without them). What type of spacers are they? If they are thicker than the wheel centre boss, you would need hubcentric spacers, otherwise the wheel can move off-centre

If you find there are no spigot rings when you take the wheels off, then you will have discovered the issue.

The slightly left-field alternative is knackered outer CV joints (or even inners in some circumstances) - CV joints can give a lot of kick-back into the steering if they are very tired.


[Linked Image]
Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1643903
28/08/2020 15:57
28/08/2020 15:57
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
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Thanks Nigel. My immediate thought on discovering the car had spacers was that it could be spigot rings.
I'll start looking at likely culprits over the weekend - starting by.taking off the wheels.

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1644467
20/09/2020 12:31
20/09/2020 12:31
Joined: Dec 2005
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Jim_Clennell  Offline OP
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So, the winner is... Morrison!
It was a sticking brake caliper and all is now well. Huge thanks to all of you for your ideas and help.
The Mini is proving an excellent partner to the ludicrous beemer, except... (See oil leak thread!)

Re: Wheel wobble when slowing from 70mph [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1644512
21/09/2020 20:03
21/09/2020 20:03
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 559
S Wales
Morrison Offline
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Morrison  Offline
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What can I say, even a broken clock is right twice a day!

Glad you got it fixed, it's a horrible feeling hitting the brakes only to have the car start doing it's best impression of an overfilled washing machine


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