I blame the pavement!!!

[supra_surj]

Hey guys please please can someone give me some advice?
Had a lill accident where the pavement woz involved and smashed both left alloys. anyway its all been repaired and that but doesnt seem to drive right. just wondering if ive got the alignment problem or something as when i go above 80mph the car feels its losing control.Ive also got slight grinding noises from the car and the garage cant find nething wrong.

any ideas or ne1 around dartford area that i can take it to? :(

Surj

[terribleturner]

If you damaged the alloy i'd bet money your tracking will be out. If it was slightly out to start with then you'll notice it more now.

What sort of grinding?? Are you moving when it happens? Are the wheels straight or turning and in what direction? Does it happen at any particular speed and does it go away after you pass a certain speed?

[supra_surj]

hi mate yea the garage apparantly done all the tracking and that but i dont think they did a gud job. when im on the motorway say doing around 50 or 60 i can feel roughness and slight vibrations in the floor. they checked the wheel bearings and said its not that.
also y'day i woz driving at 30 and could hear metal rubbin metal sound. I think i get a grinding when i sometimes turn left.

also ive jus bee read that my valve stem seals mite have gone coz d oda day i got a puff of blue smoke on start up. oh dear more cost!

surj

[Guru]

Check the wheel is not buckled and the suspension is not bent in any places. Is the steering wheel violent at high speeds?

[supra_surj]

Na the steering isnt bad but I can feel vibrations through the floor which weren't there before. also that grinding noise happens when i turn right not left. maybe its put pressure on the left wheel that had smashed. the alloys on that side are brand new.

Surj

[Ian C]

Perhaps your wheel bearing are completely shagged due to the big sideways impact? Do a bearing check on them by jacking the wheel up and trying to move it laterally top and bottom.

-Ian

[supra_surj]

Mechanic already tried that and checked the bearing but im gona check it myself. He said the bearings were fine. its really hard to pin point this. Does anyone know of any mechanics or specialists around southeast london or kent i could take it to?

Thanks for all the responses.

Surj

[Guru]

My guess would be bearing but good luck :)

[Chiefgroover]

Check very carefully the A arms are not bent.
Then you have an alignment/castor/camber problem for sure. Setting the alignment wont fix it, you need all three sorted. It may be a long drive, but looks like your going to see Chris Wilson, if you wanna get it done properly (actually much better than before). This you wont regret.

Supra wheel bearings can whine or grind and not have any sign of play in them, due to their very heavy design. They are about £150 for a rear one and fitting is a few hours at least. Get CW to do both.

[supra_surj]

My guess is the bearings and the mechanic did check them but as you said they probably wont have any play. Lets me see if I can get hold of chris wilson. Where can i find this gentleman?

Surj
ps Thanks guys!

[supra_surj]

Just had a quick look...north Shropshire??? I think thats abit far. any1 around london area who can have look at it? pleeeeeeeeeaaasssseee?

[Chiefgroover]

The only people worth talking to on this subject are those who have setup race cars, as they know how to make a car drive right from scratch. The Toyota settings suck anyways. You city people, just cant travel!.

[Terminator]

Before you get this sorted I would suggest you dont drive hard or fast. If you cause an accident and it can be proved your car was not safe, and the fault contributed to the accident you will be fucked.

You would not regret a trip to Chris Wilson.

[supra_surj]

Na i dont mind the travel but if my bearings have gone then driving 300miles isnt really a safe option for me. I wouldnt mind going somewhere to get it sorted but the condition its in i dont know how bad the damage. I have got it all repaired under my insurance which the bill came to 2500 quid! So im hoping they have fixed the major probs but as i said i gota get the bearings double checked.

Normal toyota dealers are abit useless. As soon as they hear its an import they dont really want to know. Just need someone to check it. Chances are ill probably take it to Chris but wana make sure its safe to drive 1st.

Surj

[Guru]

Don't mean to just repeat but CW is your man Surj. He has alot of experience with suspension setups in particular and will work it out for you trust me.

[supra_surj]

Ok guys ill take your advice! CW it is but is safe to drive though even if it is the bearings?

Surj

[Robert]

you could try northway tyres in watford mate.

[supra_surj]

Thanks mate ill giv em a call.

Surj

[Guru]

Well only you know how she is driving but if it looks like there is no big play in them then I would assume it should be ok. Not worth chancing high speeds though ;)

[supra_surj]

Na thats what i thought! No play in the wheels though so I'll try local 1st and get it checked. If it's not the bearings then CW it is!
Surj

[Kopite]

Speak to Chris about it, describe what you're feeling to him in detail and ask his advice on whether it's safe to drive to him. He is the man when it comes to setups, as the others say drive it as little as possible for now and definately take it easy!

[Chiefgroover]

I have rear arms etc for sale if you find you need them. (maybe bent!)

[supra_surj]

Cheers mate. I'll let you know. getting it all checked over on fri morning.

Surj