OMGMERIVAISSUES Parts help please

[beko1987]

Right.

 

Just been out with the missus in the shag* wagon, and noticed a problem that she hasnt, which is heavy vibration under braking.

 

This is possibly linked to the front track rods, which clonk heavily over everything, and my MOT tester mate did say that the rods were heavily fucked both where they go into the engine/gearbox and where they go onto the hub.

 

Some googling and ebaying have thrown up the ends, but I want the whole rod

 

Anyone done this job on a voxall? Should be the same as a corsa and combo.Want to replace both the rods, with both ends and whatever gaitors and other stuff is needed. Could anyone advise me a parts list to get?

 

Possibly needs doing sooner than later though, is worse than I thought (because she doesnt fucking tell me these things). Had a look at the front brakes and their fine, so dont think its them.

 

Cheers

[panhard65]

I think you need to get it checked properly by someone who knows what they are doing otherwise you could end up spending a lot of money and not fixing the fault. Vibration under braking is usually distorted brake discs, an mot brake test will show which ones. As for noises it's usually the anti roll bar links but have that confirmed when the car is jacked up. It's a bit confusing when you say it needs track rod ends that go into the engine/gearbox. You wouldn't really be able to see the distortion in the discs hence checking it on brake rollers if you have a tame MOT tester is the best idea

[fordperv]

From your description where you say it's fucked where they go into the gearbox and also onto the hub, I take your talking about the driveshafts? If so I would either A get some reconditioned/New units ring around local motor factors or even eurocarparts (make sure you get the discount code on tinterweb) or B ring a specialized breakers like megavox who will have them on the shelf, I would price them at a factors first though so you know how the prices of used compare to New/recon

 

I'm not sure on the shafts on a meriva but it may be worth knowing how many splines on the cv joints, abs non abs etc

[saucedoctor]

A known issue on these cars is movement between the driveshaft and hub. GM say to "grease the contact surfaces between the driveshaft and front hub"

Albert Ross is sure to know more about this.

[Junkman]

From the OP description it really is impossible to tell which parts are worn/required.

 

- Track rods don't go into the engine/gearbox and onto the hub, can't be responsible for heavy vibration under braking, and don't clonk heavily.

- What goes into the engine/gearbox and onto the hub, can't be responsible for clonking heavily.

- What could be responsible for heavy vibration under braking as well as what could clonk heavily (note that these are two different faults/things potentially responsible) aren't mentioned.

 

So please go back to your MOT tester mate and ask what specifically needs replacing.

Even better would be to not go back to your MOT tester mate, but instead to someone who knows a thing or two about cars.

[Talbotman]

Sounds like you think it might be worn tie rods in to the steering rack?.....as mentioned above, before spending out on random bits in an effort to fix it,if your Mot tester is friendly enough for you to bring the car in...pop the car on his test ramp and both go through the steering and ballpoint test.It should easier to pinpoint it in your presence and under simulated load of the testing gear on the ramp.

[beko1987]

Mmm, its bomnus month next payday, might get it booked in.

 

Tie rods to the steering rack rings a loud bell though, and Ive been pondring changing the front discs, might do that this payday

[Rusty_Rocket]

Your pal is probably on about these-

 

The track rod (betwixt steering rack and outer track rod end-to-hub).

 

The inner cup & ball to the left of the picture wear.  Thankfully, the rod is only screwed into the rack itself, under the rubber boot.

Job is simple in theory but access is often difficult..

 

They are £16 on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TA1904-VAUXHALL-MERIVA-MK-I-1-6-Petrol-1-03-10-09-Inner-Tie-Rod-Left-/271223351383?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f262be857

 

If there's movement, it needs replacing but the cars I have had the pleasure of doing this job on didn't display braking issues; the first the owner knew about the problem was when the car failed it's MoT on play in the steering system.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Fathom out more or less what the issue is before buying any parts, thats my tip, admittedly i dont' always follow it myself.

[beko1987]

That's why I'm posting here boll first!

 

Rust, that looks like the part he pointed out to me! And having seen a mate do his missus corsa c rod ends, I'd just need to screw the old ones back onto that bit, or possibly play it save and get 2 new track rod ends whilst it'll all be apart?

 

Would I ruin the gaitor unscrewing* the old one and screwing in the new one, or will it open up and seal again with a cable tie?

 

There is a fair bit of movement, has been for a while tbh. Lock to lock whilst stationary fast hears all sorts of knocking, and it all sounds very clonky driving about. Want to do it more to shut it up than any potential safety reasons, although obv. No. 2 plays a role.

 

If all I need are those 2 rods, it might get done next month then...

 

Cheers all, bloody car will be fine one day... (fecking cambelt is looming, will possibly book that fucker in...~)

[Rusty_Rocket]

Only replace the side that's showing play Bek, they are strange in that one side seems to wear faster than the other.  Likewise the TRends, if they're ok, I'd leave them 'till whenever they fail an MoT.  Gen/ Original VX parts are long-lasting compared to aftermarket stuff..

You're right with the fitting, snip the gaiter clips, peel the gaiter back and unscrew the rod.  The gaiters on a system like this are only dust covers, if there's oil in there you have a failing PAS rack (unlikely on one of these I think).  I've only done these on Astras and Vectras but I'd imagine the Meriva is much the same.  Clearance was an issue on Vectras IIRC.

As Boll says, definitely get under there and check they are actually at fault first!

[beko1987]

Wicked, thanks for the info

 

Will see if I can get it up on the ramps this weekend and have a good nosey. Need to scope out the sump drop too, so can do that at the same time.