Was Dollywobbler's 1988 19RD estate

[Philip Chidlow]

I'll check re: Tanfield. Although it'll be a Google search - I've got no special information! nice BX Ian by the way... Liking the grey over grey with some grey thrown in for good measure...


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[Dollywobbler]

It's blue! Starting to pack her now - I've got over 500 miles to cover in two days. Wish me luck!

[Dollywobbler]

250 miles in, and I'm loving it. Will be glad to get the other engine mount changed though! Not an issue on the motorway, where it sailed along at 70-ish very merrily indeed. It's a happy return to non-turbo motoring.

[Dollywobbler]

Back home now. 600 miles in two days with no bother at all. Seems to have kept most of its various fluids intact.

Steering is a bit vague around the dead-ahead though. I suspect some play where there shouldn't be any, but the steering column top bush is badly worn, which makes it feel worse. There's a good mm or two of movement. What can I do to fix this?

[citsncycles]

Check he rack mounting bolts are tight - I've known them to work loose if it's been curbed.

[Dollywobbler]

Not very easy to check. Worringly, it seems the lost movement when I waggle the wheel is somewhere in the rack itself. The rack doesn't move. Also, it's the bearing at the top of the steering wheel which seems badly worn. Ugh!

[mat_fenwick]

What about the rubber coupling? It's one part I've never had to replace, but seems like it could fit your symptoms. I think there are two types - one for PAS and none-PAS cars. Chevronics did get some re-manufactured last year I think, but not sure if both types.

[Dollywobbler]

Maybe. When I wiggle the nearside wheel at six/nine o'clock, there's a distinct knocking noise. I loose sight of the movement after it goes into the rack.

On the other issue, has anyone replaced the bearing at the top of the steering column?

[Way2go]

Maybe. When I wiggle the nearside wheel at six/nine o'clock, there's a distinct knocking noise. I loose sight of the movement after it goes into the rack.

On the other issue, has anyone replaced the bearing at the top of the steering column?

Are you sure the top bearing is worn and its not just the usual case of the bottom bush has slid down the column above the UJ creating that illusion? If so manouevre the bush back up into place and fit a ty-rap on the active column directly below to keep it in place.

Mat is likely right on the Hardy disk diagnosis as they do split and cause play. You don't want that to fail completely so checking out earlier rather than later is essential.

[citsncycles]

With regard to the rack play, pull the gaiter back and check the inner track rod joint - they were both worn on Timex. It'll be worth checking both sides, plus the pinion valve as if it's all worn it may be cheaper to buy a recon rack - last I checked they were around the £100 mark.

[Dollywobbler]

Thanks chaps. Plenty to check! Shame the weather forecast here is grim for the next two days.

EDIT - dug out a torch and checked the steering column lower bush. No change. The movement in the top end is perpendicular to the column, not up and down along the length of it, which I had on another BX. ie, it seems to be wear in the bearing.

Alas my torch was unable to shine light upon the pinion, so that'll have to wait.

[Tim Leech]

Sometimes the top bush in the column makes it way up the column allowing movement, the 16TRS did this, I took the wheel off and knocked it back down again and hey presto.

[Dollywobbler]

Might be worth a try. Not got the car on the driveway at the moment though, as it has temporarily been replaced with a VW Crafter minibus.

I did get a chance earlier to get the BX on a ramp and get a second-opinion on the play. Does indeed look like the rack, though the rubber coupling at least looks sound.

[Dollywobbler]

Nope. That didn't do anything to help. Still got play. So, new steering column, new steering rack and a new clutch and it'll be lovely!

[Dollywobbler]

Problems aside, I have to say that this BX is rather lovely to drive. I'm staggered at how more compliant the suspension feels than the two TDs I owned previously, and how little I'm missing that turbocharger. Yes, a little more performance would be nice at times, but actually, I'll sacrifice it for the uncluttered engine bay and ease of driving. There's no waiting for the turbo to spool up, or struggling to keep it on boost and the shorter gearing is a massive boon around here - I can drive the 12 miles of twisty road from town to home almost all the way in fifth gear. That certainly wasn't the case with the TD, as I was always having to downshift to keep the turbo spinning.

Not that the news is all good. I removed the side trims either side of the rear seat yesterday (well, the nearside one) and found some rot on the inside of the sill. Keeping this BX solid is going to be a major challenge and this factor could be the one reason I sell up later in the year.