Dreaded vibration...

[StuartB]

Hi!

I finished fixing the wiper linkage with my dad the other day, ready for starting a new job. However, once I was actually on my way I noticed that the car has an akward vibration between 50 and 70mph.

It isn't coming through the steering, I can feel it through the drivers seat... The thing is I very recently had the front tyres replaced as the previous ones (that were on there when I got the car) weren't holding pressure and kept leveling ot at around 15psi.

I was thinking Thrust Arms, but I had my mechanic take a look over that whole area in the autumn, and he found nothing wrong with it.

Could it be the steering box? Or maybe worn engine/tranny mounts?

EDIT: not sure if it's related to the same thing, but when going over moderate potholes on corners, I get a violent shake through the steering wheel and from the front wheel of the car that just went over the pothole.

EDIT EDIT:

Just had a quick poke around with the car on stands.. Not having a great deal of mechanical knowledge nothing really leapt out and screamed "This is WRONG!" but I did find that the tyres have been rubbing one of the arms on either side (205/55/15, stock BBS wheels). So I did the only thing I could, I took pics:

Drivers/Passangers side (RHD):
http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/e34dri.jpghttp://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/e34pass.jpg

The arm that the tyre has been rubbing on on full lock. Drivers side pictured (it's a little more severe than the pass side):
http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/e34rub.jpg

[Kalevera]

Probably the bushings (the part that connects to the frame). The Ball joints, from what I can tell, don't look great. It's hard to see - looks like the left side control arm ball joint rubber is cracked. And the right side thrust arm ball joint looks smashed up. How many miles does the car have? probably time for a suspension rebuild, anyway.

good luck!

best, whit

[632 Regal]

strut housing may be bent, your strut insert looks like its leaking, hard to tell from the partial picture. Looking at the age of things ill guess that the thrust arm bushings are toast also. So, without replacing everything under there have your mechanic inspect the front end again to see if you need any other hard parts and add that to new struts and thrust arms, get the arms with the 750 bushings already pressed in, available at BMA.