Anyone with a 172/182 have this problem??....

[Brett]

Have done a few bits to the missus' 172 over the last couple months. New front top mounts, replaced coilovers with OEM Reno struts etc etc and the car drove beautifully. I was dead chuffed as it felt like brand new.....until this week! Now it has a nasty wobble that is not that noticeable in 1st, 2nd and 3rd but awfull in the last two gears, 4th in particular. The wobble doesn't feel like the normal vibration from a typical unbalanced wheel or worn wheel bearing. The car shakes left and right and only between 2200rpm to 3500rpm and only when on the throttle. It's weird and frustrating! The only thing I haven't checked is the engine steadies which I suspect it might be given its rev range dependant.

Any idea's folks? Thought I'd ask here before the mine field of CS.

 

[ed_harland]

Engine mount

 

[Brett]

The upper seems fine but I have yet to look at the gearbox and bottom mounts.

 

[srt40]

Just hit 140k in my Cup and then had a large clunking during any level of throttle application and a vibration from the front end (less specific rev range than yours though), top engine mount looked ok to me, but replaced anyway, all issues disappeared

 

[Matt]

I had similar clunking in my 172cup mate. It was the bottom ball joint that was worn. Usually made the clink when I accelerated and then backed off.

 

[Brett]

Might get an engine mount and steady kit then. Pretty sure its not a ball joint issues as it was all checked 3 weeks back when i got it laser aligned and there's no clunking or on/off side to side pull. Drives perfectly straight and true but osilates left and right under throttle. You cant dven feel it through the steering which is bizzare!

 

[Matt]

If it were engine mounts it would make the bang in 1st/2nd under hard acceleration. Mine did the same when it was the mounts.

 

[hualpa_jo]

A wobble only under load? I assume you have properly checked the whole suspension for play? It sounds indeed familiar to me. When it appears in turns I know it to be a drive shaft, otherwise the differential. Don't ask me how or why, I only know of such problems where a new gearbox was the final solution.

EDIT: It wasn't a RS though but the same gearbox.

 

[Brett]

I was actually thinking gearbox/diff or dven flywheel. The car went through its MOT today with nothing spotted out of place. Head scratcher!

 

[Matt]

Strange one Brett. It's the bit where it's only apparent in 4/5th gears.

 

[Brett]

Yeah which makes me think its gearbox related. It might be engine mounts/steadies complaining once the car is using most of its mid range torque. Doesnt do it at low revs and nothing at highish revs.