Zafira suddenly feeling boaty
Discussion
Yes i know its a zafira ha.
The last few weeks its got progressively worse to the point i won't drive it now. So the steering feels 'loose' when i turn the wheel left and right say, between 10 and 2 oclock, seems like the wheels aren't turning. it wasnt like this before.
Also when driving in a straight line, its hard to explain, its almost as if the car is tram lining, like moving to the side.
I noticed a week or so ago when we had a bit rain and the roads were quite greasy, going round say a small round about, it was sliding. Started with bad understeer, then youd get the sensation the back end is slipping a little, almost 'hopping'. all the time, the car is leaning. say if im turning right at a roundabout, it feels like the car is tipping onto the front left. the last time i practically prepared myself for it to tip. Im purposely driving really slow at this point.
Gearbox is iffy, wont stay in 4th and is starting to stutter when pulling away from a standstill. Feels (or felt) like balancing is off when doing about 70.
And recently had the caliper, disks and pads changed as they were stuck on. On my 3rd set now, this has happened loads.
I wouldn't mind but ive only recently spent £££'s on it in anticipation of going back to work, then they lay me off. So getting a new car is an issue.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction. Got a friend popping over tomorrow with a pump to check the tyre pressures.
Sorry for the essay ha.
The last few weeks its got progressively worse to the point i won't drive it now. So the steering feels 'loose' when i turn the wheel left and right say, between 10 and 2 oclock, seems like the wheels aren't turning. it wasnt like this before.
Also when driving in a straight line, its hard to explain, its almost as if the car is tram lining, like moving to the side.
I noticed a week or so ago when we had a bit rain and the roads were quite greasy, going round say a small round about, it was sliding. Started with bad understeer, then youd get the sensation the back end is slipping a little, almost 'hopping'. all the time, the car is leaning. say if im turning right at a roundabout, it feels like the car is tipping onto the front left. the last time i practically prepared myself for it to tip. Im purposely driving really slow at this point.
Gearbox is iffy, wont stay in 4th and is starting to stutter when pulling away from a standstill. Feels (or felt) like balancing is off when doing about 70.
And recently had the caliper, disks and pads changed as they were stuck on. On my 3rd set now, this has happened loads.
I wouldn't mind but ive only recently spent £££'s on it in anticipation of going back to work, then they lay me off. So getting a new car is an issue.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction. Got a friend popping over tomorrow with a pump to check the tyre pressures.
Sorry for the essay ha.
Look on the bright side, it’s now ideal for going Ubering. 
Bounce each corner to see if your shocks have had it. The excess play in the steering sounds like the steering box has a lot of wear and slack. Check fluid level anyway and when your mate is over get him to turn the wheel while you see what movement the box is doing, if any. Check anti roll bars. Check track rod ends. If it’s as bad as you describe then even knowing very little the major issue is likely to be clear as day once you get your head underneath it and checking everything for play.
Bounce each corner to see if your shocks have had it. The excess play in the steering sounds like the steering box has a lot of wear and slack. Check fluid level anyway and when your mate is over get him to turn the wheel while you see what movement the box is doing, if any. Check anti roll bars. Check track rod ends. If it’s as bad as you describe then even knowing very little the major issue is likely to be clear as day once you get your head underneath it and checking everything for play.
Clarkedontgo said:
Possibly ball joint or more likely track rod end inner or outer or both , clutch and flywheel will be your juddering pulling away
ThisLikely very worn track rod ends , inner tie rods, bottom ball joints.
Re the clutch, open a door and at idle Place your hand gently on the door frame. If it's vibrating around badly it's the dmf meaning clutch and flywheel replacement.
IIRC Corsas used to have an issue where a joint in the steering column would come loose so check that before you get into the oily stuff under the car. Might be a very cheap fix for the play in the steering.
When’s it’s MOT due? Is it worth putting it through now and having the MOT examiner diagnose some of the issues?
When’s it’s MOT due? Is it worth putting it through now and having the MOT examiner diagnose some of the issues?
I'll bet tyre pressures help...
If you're stationary, engine off, steering lock disengaged, can you turn the steering wheel side to side significant before it gets heavy? Like you could drive as they do in old fashioned movies turning the wheel but going in a straight line? If yes then the steering column, track rod ends, ball joints etc are likely to be the cause and shouldn't be too expensive to fix. They should have shown up in an MOT if it's had one recently
If you're stationary, engine off, steering lock disengaged, can you turn the steering wheel side to side significant before it gets heavy? Like you could drive as they do in old fashioned movies turning the wheel but going in a straight line? If yes then the steering column, track rod ends, ball joints etc are likely to be the cause and shouldn't be too expensive to fix. They should have shown up in an MOT if it's had one recently
scottyfocus said:
Yes i know its a zafira ha.
The last few weeks its got progressively worse to the point i won't drive it now. So the steering feels 'loose' when i turn the wheel left and right say, between 10 and 2 oclock, seems like the wheels aren't turning. it wasnt like this before.
Also when driving in a straight line, its hard to explain, its almost as if the car is tram lining, like moving to the side.
I noticed a week or so ago when we had a bit rain and the roads were quite greasy, going round say a small round about, it was sliding. Started with bad understeer, then youd get the sensation the back end is slipping a little, almost 'hopping'. all the time, the car is leaning. say if im turning right at a roundabout, it feels like the car is tipping onto the front left. the last time i practically prepared myself for it to tip. Im purposely driving really slow at this point.
Gearbox is iffy, wont stay in 4th and is starting to stutter when pulling away from a standstill. Feels (or felt) like balancing is off when doing about 70.
And recently had the caliper, disks and pads changed as they were stuck on. On my 3rd set now, this has happened loads.
I wouldn't mind but ive only recently spent £££'s on it in anticipation of going back to work, then they lay me off. So getting a new car is an issue.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction. Got a friend popping over tomorrow with a pump to check the tyre pressures.
Sorry for the essay ha.
As you mention that it has got progressively worse over a few weeks and that you have recently had the brakes replaced, have you checked that the wheel nuts have been tightened sufficiently/are all there?The last few weeks its got progressively worse to the point i won't drive it now. So the steering feels 'loose' when i turn the wheel left and right say, between 10 and 2 oclock, seems like the wheels aren't turning. it wasnt like this before.
Also when driving in a straight line, its hard to explain, its almost as if the car is tram lining, like moving to the side.
I noticed a week or so ago when we had a bit rain and the roads were quite greasy, going round say a small round about, it was sliding. Started with bad understeer, then youd get the sensation the back end is slipping a little, almost 'hopping'. all the time, the car is leaning. say if im turning right at a roundabout, it feels like the car is tipping onto the front left. the last time i practically prepared myself for it to tip. Im purposely driving really slow at this point.
Gearbox is iffy, wont stay in 4th and is starting to stutter when pulling away from a standstill. Feels (or felt) like balancing is off when doing about 70.
And recently had the caliper, disks and pads changed as they were stuck on. On my 3rd set now, this has happened loads.
I wouldn't mind but ive only recently spent £££'s on it in anticipation of going back to work, then they lay me off. So getting a new car is an issue.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction. Got a friend popping over tomorrow with a pump to check the tyre pressures.
Sorry for the essay ha.
Love this place. Thanks for the replies everyone, going to get on it now as best i can (i'm no mechanic)
Judging by what ive said, would any say DO NOT drive it to a garage? My nearest is about 10 miles away.
It won't be passing another MOT. I nearly put a deposit down on a 370z days before the lockdown, but when i went to transfer the money from savings into current account, it took 2 days! Then we were put into lockdown. First bit of luck i have had in a long time!
Judging by what ive said, would any say DO NOT drive it to a garage? My nearest is about 10 miles away.
It won't be passing another MOT. I nearly put a deposit down on a 370z days before the lockdown, but when i went to transfer the money from savings into current account, it took 2 days! Then we were put into lockdown. First bit of luck i have had in a long time!
scottyfocus said:
Love this place. Thanks for the replies everyone, going to get on it now as best i can (i'm no mechanic)
Judging by what ive said, would any say DO NOT drive it to a garage? My nearest is about 10 miles away.
It won't be passing another MOT. I nearly put a deposit down on a 370z days before the lockdown, but when i went to transfer the money from savings into current account, it took 2 days! Then we were put into lockdown. First bit of luck i have had in a long time!
Personally I'd drive it to the garage unless you have cause to suspect that wheel bolts are loose or something. Judging by what ive said, would any say DO NOT drive it to a garage? My nearest is about 10 miles away.
It won't be passing another MOT. I nearly put a deposit down on a 370z days before the lockdown, but when i went to transfer the money from savings into current account, it took 2 days! Then we were put into lockdown. First bit of luck i have had in a long time!
If you were thinking of changing it anyway you may be better off punting it on eBay, cars with issues honestly described often raise surprisingly good money (compared to what you'd get for scrap).
Also see what cartakeback are offering, I got a very surprising £165 for an utterly ruined Peugeot 206 last year.
You haven't told us how old the car is but I'm guessing it's not worth a lot and the suspension issues coupled with gearbox issue will be expensive to rectify... four figures I suspect.
Unless it's all connected... front subframe somehow loose or broken?
Edited by HustleRussell on Thursday 30th July 12:08
Well would you look at that, Google reveals that Zafiras suffer a known issue with front subframe corrosion...
http://www.wheels-alive.co.uk/serious-danger-zafir...
http://www.wheels-alive.co.uk/serious-danger-zafir...
Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff