johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 2, 2008 i have a problem with the roland garros, and its making it virtually undrivable at the moment, it started ages ago, when the car was starting to shake under acceleration and the exhaust started to knock on the gear rod and various bits of heat sheild etc, so originally i thought it was the engine mounts so i purchsed a powerflex lower engine mount and also added another hanger for the exhaust to keep it steady (its the base model middle section with no hanger) and all was well for a good 6 months or so aside from a very small shake at certain revs but it was not enough for me to feel the need to do anything about it. then just recently it started to get worse, much worse, so i thought 'o it must be the other mounts' so i changed the one under the battery for a baker bm one, and it was absolutely perfect for about 100 miles. then on the motorway after quite a long journey its started to do it again and this time its fooking horrendous (are we seeing a trend here?) i literally had to stop at a service station cos i thought the wheels were about to fall off!! and now i cant put my foot to the floor because all the power goes into shaking the car sideways, also cant take it on long journeys because its (seems) to get worse the further the journey. so clearly by changing the engine mounts i have been masking a much bigger problem which has been getting worse, the only things i can think of is either the driveshafts are bent which ive tried to have a look at and they seem straight to me, or something that i'm overlooking i need to drive the car on a 3 hour round trip on the saturday for work so i really need to get this fixed as soon as i can and i really cant afford to take it to the garage!! please help!! thanks in advance (and sorry for the long post) john Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swordfish210 20 Posted July 2, 2008 have you tried just going on a massive torquing spree, i.e. torquing every bolt that you can get your hands on. Other than that i havent an idea mate. Sorry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 2, 2008 anythings worth a try! i'll have to go get a torque wrench tomoro i suppose, any particular bolts that might cause this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swordfish210 20 Posted July 2, 2008 start with the obvious ones, top engine mount, subframe mounts and anything you have undone recently then work you way through all of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RossD 44 Posted July 3, 2008 This could be more fundamental like an ignition or carb problem causing the vibrations. If the vibration is not there when you lift off the accelerator (I.e. coasting) then I'd say thats where your problem lies. How old are the ignition leads? Is the timing spot on and the carb setup correctly? Also, just as an afterthought, are the gearbox \ bellhousing bolts tight?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted July 3, 2008 Diff bearings maybe it's common breakdown on base models MA boxes ... Rgs ! Damir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 3, 2008 rossd: it doesnt seem to be ignition related as it has no problem putting out power, and only seems to shake when its put under load and i'll check the gearbox/ bellhousing bolts later today when ive got a torque wrench damirgti: that does sound very feasable, is that an easy fix or is it new box time? im not sure if this could be related but the gearbox seems to whine a little if you listen closely, maybe it is the gearbox?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hengti 2 Posted July 3, 2008 could it be clutch related? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 3, 2008 possibility, although there doesnt seem to be any slipping, or difficulty engaging gears? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 3, 2008 right im at the end of my tether ive tightened every single bolt i can find, including the bell housing, and still not a slight bit of difference!!! this really does make driving my car agony!! somebody help!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fenton 1,542 Posted July 3, 2008 Something final drive related, diff bearings/inner cv joint etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 3, 2008 so assuming inner cv joint that would mean a new driveshaft needed? about £90 from pug or £51 from tinterweb can diff bearing be replaced or is it new gearbox time? not that i can find one anywhere!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swordfish210 20 Posted July 3, 2008 if it was the diff bearings then it's quicker to change the gearbox than to replace them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted July 3, 2008 damirgti: that does sound very feasable, is that an easy fix or is it new box time? As said , in this case it'll be easier/cheaper to obtain an second hand gearbox ... Rgs ! Damir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 3, 2008 hmm easier said than done! i cant find a gearbox anywhere, none on ebay, none at the local scrappies, the only ones i can find are recon ones for about £325!! which needless to say being a student i cant afford! is there any other box thats a straight swap that i mightve overlooked? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrod 7 Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) I've got a good box here you can have cheap, its got the longer ratios so not as sporty but perfect for motorways etc. £30 + £20 delivery. Edited July 3, 2008 by Jrod Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 3, 2008 i may well snatch your arm off on that one, i'll have to go and check me funds tomoro and i'll get back to you, mines a roland garros anyway so im used to the longer ratios. out of curiosity what model is it off?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrod 7 Posted July 4, 2008 I'm not sure, I bought it as an XS one but it wasn't! Was about 80@4000rpm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars Posted July 4, 2008 sounds the same as the one ive got at the moment, i'll check in a bit (on a private road of course) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kyepan 291 Posted July 4, 2008 does the gear stick wobble at the same time? if so it could be driveshaft related. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danpug 1 Posted July 9, 2008 Your garros box has the same ratio's as an xs box. Jrods box would get you out of the crap for now till you find an xs box, assuming it is a box/diff issue that is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites