Diagnose my problem

SexyGreyFox · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:00

Last Saturday my car started mechanically jumping at the front, Sunday it got a bit worse but on Monday it got a lot worse and I had to try and get it home.
When at home I jacked it up and turning the left front wheel it would suddenly stop.
It would loosen up, turn for a while and then stop again so I decided it must be the diff/gearbox.
I called my Cousin who has been an AA man for 40 years and he diagnosed the same fault and set about getting me a second hand gearbox and a decent mechanic.
I got the RAC out Saturday morning and he diagnosed it to be the same fault and he towed me 10 miles to the mechanic.
While at the garage another two mechanics also said it was the diff/gearbox so in total 6 of us made the same diagnosis.
I picked it up last night and drove about 40 miles in it with no problem but pulling off Tesco filling station about 30 minutes ago exactly the same problem came back :eek:

I got it home, jacked it up and after a few turns the wheel stops rigid, it loosens up turns a bit more then stops rigid.

So what's the diagnosis now?

(of course I've rang both the mechanic and my Cousin and they're both gobsmacked)

Cosimo · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:01

Time to buy a new car.

Hxc · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:18

Truly and utterly knackered cv joint or wheel bearing?

SexyGreyFox · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:25

Hxc said:
Truly and utterly knackered cv joint or wheel bearing?

I was thinking CV joint

BigglesPiP · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:25

Is it consistently the same number of rotations before it binds? And or does it always bind with the valve at the same spot?

SexyGreyFox · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:34

BigglesPiP said:
Is it consistently the same number of rotations before it binds? And or does it always bind with the valve at the same spot?

Interesting 1st question - don't know.

99.9% sure it's nothing to do with the 2nd question.

cm1179 · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:40

what car is it and does it have power steering?

SexyGreyFox · 13 Jul 2011 at 20:44

cm1179 said:
what car is it and does it have power steering?

Ford Mondeo Estate 1800 and yes
reg RK51

Liampope · 13 Jul 2011 at 21:36

Hmmm the fact it's a bit intermittent doesn't change the diagnosis imho. Obviously something broken/loose occasionally getting in the way of normal operation. Likely diff/gearbox as suggested but possibly a CV joint. If it happens when the wheels are pointed straight ahead I'd be inclined to suspect diff/box. In the process of taking it to bits to repair you'll have the chance to inspect the driveshafts before removing the gearbox, so if you find the damage is a shaft you can stop there and replace it!

SexyGreyFox · 13 Jul 2011 at 21:41

Liampope said:
Hmmm the fact it's a bit intermittent doesn't change the diagnosis imho. Obviously something broken/loose occasionally getting in the way of normal operation. Likely diff/gearbox as suggested but possibly a CV joint. If it happens when the wheels are pointed straight ahead I'd be inclined to suspect diff/box. In the process of taking it to bits to repair you'll have the chance to inspect the driveshafts before removing the gearbox, so if you find the damage is a shaft you can stop there and replace it!

When the mechanic put the new gearbox on he did give the driveshafts a good check and saw no problems.
He's collecting the car in the morning.

ci_newman · 13 Jul 2011 at 21:47

Seized brakes perhaps? Although I suppose that would be a consistent binding..

Liampope · 13 Jul 2011 at 22:11

dmpoole said:
When the mechanic put the new gearbox on he did give the driveshafts a good check and saw no problems.
He's collecting the car in the morning.

Oh sorry - it wasn't clear (at least to me) the gearbox has been replaced. :confused:

That makes it rather more likely it's not the box then! When you say he gave the shafts a good check, are we talking boots off and proper check of all the CVs? Although I still find it unlikely it's the CVs if it happens when the wheels are pointing straight ahead, cos the CVs aren't moving much (not at all if the shafts are straight/level) in that case. You say when it's jacked up you turn the wheels and they suddenly stop - what about when you're driving - what does it feel/sound like?

sovietspybob · 13 Jul 2011 at 22:16

dodgy ABS sensor or somthing be forcing the brakes on? does it only happen with the engine running?

SexyGreyFox · 13 Jul 2011 at 22:59

Liampope said:
what about when you're driving - what does it feel/sound like?

It sounds and feels like a mechanical noise/jump/clunk

sovietspybob said:
dodgy ABS sensor or somthing be forcing the brakes on? does it only happen with the engine running?

With the engine off also.
Jack the car up, turn the wheel by hand and after a few seconds it will stop as though its hit something.
It then loosens, turn for a few more seconds and it stops again.
Repeat with the right side and it doesn't do it.

Fuzz · 13 Jul 2011 at 23:03

CV joint then. Unless you have been seriously unlucky and bought a gearbox that has developed the same fault.

Liampope · 13 Jul 2011 at 23:04

So the box has been replaced and it's only that one wheel? Have the brakes that side been inspected for any problems, foreign objects? If brakes are OK has to be CV joint then. Is it worse/better with some steering lock on?

SexyGreyFox · 14 Jul 2011 at 07:37

Liampope said:
So the box has been replaced and it's only that one wheel? Have the brakes that side been inspected for any problems, foreign objects? If brakes are OK has to be CV joint then. Is it worse/better with some steering lock on?

Worse when turning left

Liampope · 14 Jul 2011 at 08:06

My money is on outer CV joint then

SexyGreyFox · 14 Jul 2011 at 16:40

Forgot to mention in the OP that I also jacked the ride side up and when that wheel was turned it would also come to a dead stop and for that reason all 6 of us diagnosed it to be the diff.
Last night I only checked one side but at 8am this morning the mechanic picked it up and he can't do anything until Monday.

Morbius · 14 Jul 2011 at 16:59

I would guess CV joint.