Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - question for drivers clued up in car faults

Hi there, i am struggling to come to a decision on whether or not to buy my own car for private hire use , i currently rent and have done so for the last couple of years on and off, but i'm worried that the same problem i seem to get over and over with rented vehicles may occur with my own car and i will be stuck driving a car i feel unsafe to drive in.

Every car i have rented at sometime or another has developed a problem that when i have brought it to the attention of the folks i rent from, they have told me they can't find the problem and that there is nothing wrong with the car.... which has led to me handing the car in and renting from another person... until the problem arises again and i have to look elsewhere again. #-o

I enjoy every part of the job and would love to continue it as my full time job as it suits me to a tee.. but this issue when it arises puts me off driving as i feel unsafe and get anxious esp when i have passengers in the car.

I'll try my best to describe the problem and maybe you guys might have an idea as to what it could be and maybe why the garages i have rented from in the past have failed to spot it or have and decided to ignore it.

Basically when the problem begins, i feel like when taking curves ( esp at speed) that i'm going to lose control, i would even say it feels like the car may topple even though i know that aint possible... it's just the sensation i get from whatever the issue is.... it feels like the car sits lower on one side ( again i don't think it actually does sit lower as i have measured the space between the tyres and both sides are equal, but just the feeling it gives off ) and this isn't limited to just one side of the car....as it seems to shift from the left to the right while driving about and going over bumps on the road, i can feel it to a lesser degree even driving straight but it only becomes a worry when taking long curves, i find myself slowing right down to adjust the steering to keep control...

a good example is when the car is feeling lower on the right side, and i take a left curve.... i feel like the car could topple over to the right as it feels like its dipping really low so end up braking a lot to regain control.... but when taking right curves it feels great, and vice versa when it feels lower on the left..

I have had the wheel alignment checked, new tires and they tell me there is nothing visible to them from looking under the car and they don't feel it when they drive it...... it is very frustrating :sad:

I probably sound off my rocker but i know for a fact when i drive a new car/rental.... i do not feel this problem until a bad pothole or bump, So i'm hesitant to buy my own car as you can imagine... but knowing what might be the cause would certainly swing me in favor of buying.

all the cars have been skoda octavia/rapid.

thanks

Have you tried driving slower?

toots wrote:

Have you tried driving slower?

It's nothing to do with speed, if the car isn't tight enough it needs bracing up, that's when a strut brace is needed. I had the same problem with my Passat, even at 30mph it felt like I was bouncing across the road.

A strut brace stopped it.

toots wrote:

Have you tried driving slower?

as it seems to shift from the left to the right while driving about and going over bumps on the road, i can feel it to a lesser degree even driving straight but it only becomes a worry when taking long curves

fendertele wrote:

It's either the track rod ends, lower suspension bush, wheel bearing or front lower arms.

Easy to check and easy to fix fairly cheaply. Jack up the front of the car and holding the wheel at the top and bottom see if there is any free play. If yes then its suspension bush or lower arms. Another sign the lower arms have gone is when youre driving in a straight line and the car suddenly pulls to one side - like its been caught by a gust of wind. Holding the wheel at the sides (9+3) see if theres any free play. If yes its the track rods or wheel bearing.

Could also be roll bar links but the ordinary driver wouldnt notice anything wrong. Suspension struts, but when these go the car bounces up and down rather than being damped. Broken spring, but the car would sit lower at the affected corner. Theres also the tracking, loose wheel nuts and incorrect tyre pressure to consider.

Are you sure its not you that has the problem with your balance, go and get your ears and blood pressure checked

fendertele wrote:

don't bother with the cars go and get checked, I had the same sensations, it was my blood pressure, it was on the high side, its now under control with daily medication, and no more symptoms, for the last 7 years

Author:	fendertele [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:	question for drivers clued up in car faults
Hi there, i am struggling to come to a decision on whether or not to buy my own car for private hire use , i currently rent and have done so for the last couple of years on and off, but i'm worried that the same problem i seem to get over and over with rented vehicles may occur with my own car and i will be stuck driving a car i feel unsafe to drive in. Every car i have rented at sometime or another has developed a problem that when i have brought it to the attention of the folks i rent from, they have told me they can't find the problem and that there is nothing wrong with the car.... which has led to me handing the car in and renting from another person... until the problem arises again and i have to look elsewhere again. I enjoy every part of the job and would love to continue it as my full time job as it suits me to a tee.. but this issue when it arises puts me off driving as i feel unsafe and get anxious esp when i have passengers in the car. I'll try my best to describe the problem and maybe you guys might have an idea as to what it could be and maybe why the garages i have rented from in the past have failed to spot it or have and decided to ignore it. Basically when the problem begins, i feel like when taking curves ( esp at speed) that i'm going to lose control, i would even say it feels like the car may topple even though i know that aint possible... it's just the sensation i get from whatever the issue is.... it feels like the car sits lower on one side ( again i don't think it actually does sit lower as i have measured the space between the tyres and both sides are equal, but just the feeling it gives off ) and this isn't limited to just one side of the car....as it seems to shift from the left to the right while driving about and going over bumps on the road, i can feel it to a lesser degree even driving straight but it only becomes a worry when taking long curves, i find myself slowing right down to adjust the steering to keep control... a good example is when the car is feeling lower on the right side, and i take a left curve.... i feel like the car could topple over to the right as it feels like its dipping really low so end up braking a lot to regain control.... but when taking right curves it feels great, and vice versa when it feels lower on the left.. I have had the wheel alignment checked, new tires and they tell me there is nothing visible to them from looking under the car and they don't feel it when they drive it...... it is very frustrating I probably sound off my rocker but i know for a fact when i drive a new car/rental.... i do not feel this problem until a bad pothole or bump, So i'm hesitant to buy my own car as you can imagine... but knowing what might be the cause would certainly swing me in favor of buying. all the cars have been skoda octavia/rapid. thanks

Author:	toots [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 1:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
Have you tried driving slower?

Author:	Nidge2 [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 2:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
fendertele wrote: Hi there, i am struggling to come to a decision on whether or not to buy my own car for private hire use , i currently rent and have done so for the last couple of years on and off, but i'm worried that the same problem i seem to get over and over with rented vehicles may occur with my own car and i will be stuck driving a car i feel unsafe to drive in. Every car i have rented at sometime or another has developed a problem that when i have brought it to the attention of the folks i rent from, they have told me they can't find the problem and that there is nothing wrong with the car.... which has led to me handing the car in and renting from another person... until the problem arises again and i have to look elsewhere again. I enjoy every part of the job and would love to continue it as my full time job as it suits me to a tee.. but this issue when it arises puts me off driving as i feel unsafe and get anxious esp when i have passengers in the car. I'll try my best to describe the problem and maybe you guys might have an idea as to what it could be and maybe why the garages i have rented from in the past have failed to spot it or have and decided to ignore it. Basically when the problem begins, i feel like when taking curves ( esp at speed) that i'm going to lose control, i would even say it feels like the car may topple even though i know that aint possible... it's just the sensation i get from whatever the issue is.... it feels like the car sits lower on one side ( again i don't think it actually does sit lower as i have measured the space between the tyres and both sides are equal, but just the feeling it gives off ) and this isn't limited to just one side of the car....as it seems to shift from the left to the right while driving about and going over bumps on the road, i can feel it to a lesser degree even driving straight but it only becomes a worry when taking long curves, i find myself slowing right down to adjust the steering to keep control... a good example is when the car is feeling lower on the right side, and i take a left curve.... i feel like the car could topple over to the right as it feels like its dipping really low so end up braking a lot to regain control.... but when taking right curves it feels great, and vice versa when it feels lower on the left.. I have had the wheel alignment checked, new tires and they tell me there is nothing visible to them from looking under the car and they don't feel it when they drive it...... it is very frustrating I probably sound off my rocker but i know for a fact when i drive a new car/rental.... i do not feel this problem until a bad pothole or bump, So i'm hesitant to buy my own car as you can imagine... but knowing what might be the cause would certainly swing me in favor of buying. all the cars have been skoda octavia/rapid. thanks Buy a strut brace, 10 minutes to fit and can be don't at home with the basic of socket sets. It keeps the car solid.

Author:	Nidge2 [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
toots wrote: Have you tried driving slower? It's nothing to do with speed, if the car isn't tight enough it needs bracing up, that's when a strut brace is needed. I had the same problem with my Passat, even at 30mph it felt like I was bouncing across the road. A strut brace stopped it.

Author:	wannabeeahack [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
Nidge2 wrote: toots wrote: Have you tried driving slower? It's nothing to do with speed, if the car isn't tight enough it needs bracing up, that's when a strut brace is needed. I had the same problem with my Passat, even at 30mph it felt like I was bouncing across the road. A strut brace stopped it. hes got a Reliant Robin Nige

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Author:	toots [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
Nidge2 wrote: toots wrote: Have you tried driving slower? It's nothing to do with speed, if the car isn't tight enough it needs bracing up, that's when a strut brace is needed. I had the same problem with my Passat, even at 30mph it felt like I was bouncing across the road. A strut brace stopped it. I'm a girl, wtf would I know about cars I was being sarcastic. It does appear tho that all he gets given to him are wobbly cars

Author:	skippy41 [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:53 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
Are you sure its not you that has the problem with your balance, go and get your ears and blood pressure checked

Author:	sasha [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
fendertele wrote: as it seems to shift from the left to the right while driving about and going over bumps on the road, i can feel it to a lesser degree even driving straight but it only becomes a worry when taking long curves It's either the track rod ends, lower suspension bush, wheel bearing or front lower arms. Easy to check and easy to fix fairly cheaply. Jack up the front of the car and holding the wheel at the top and bottom see if there is any free play. If yes then its suspension bush or lower arms. Another sign the lower arms have gone is when youre driving in a straight line and the car suddenly pulls to one side - like its been caught by a gust of wind. Holding the wheel at the sides (9+3) see if theres any free play. If yes its the track rods or wheel bearing. Could also be roll bar links but the ordinary driver wouldnt notice anything wrong. Suspension struts, but when these go the car bounces up and down rather than being damped. Broken spring, but the car would sit lower at the affected corner. Theres also the tracking, loose wheel nuts and incorrect tyre pressure to consider.

Author:	toots [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
sasha wrote: fendertele wrote: as it seems to shift from the left to the right while driving about and going over bumps on the road, i can feel it to a lesser degree even driving straight but it only becomes a worry when taking long curves It's either the track rod ends, lower suspension bush, wheel bearing or front lower arms. Easy to check and easy to fix fairly cheaply. Jack up the front of the car and holding the wheel at the top and bottom see if there is any free play. If yes then its suspension bush or lower arms. Another sign the lower arms have gone is when youre driving in a straight line and the car suddenly pulls to one side - like its been caught by a gust of wind. Holding the wheel at the sides (9+3) see if theres any free play. If yes its the track rods or wheel bearing. Could also be roll bar links but the ordinary driver wouldnt notice anything wrong. Suspension struts, but when these go the car bounces up and down rather than being damped. Broken spring, but the car would sit lower at the affected corner. Theres also the tracking, loose wheel nuts and incorrect tyre pressure to consider. So all he needs to do now is find out what fault affected all the cars he drives, that are not his to repair and hope that if he buys his own it doesn't happen to that one as well

Author:	Chris the Fish [ Mon Oct 20, 2014 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
skippy41 wrote: Are you sure its not you that has the problem with your balance, go and get your ears and blood pressure checked I think Skippy could have it - then once you have experienced the balance problem in a particular car it stays with you and becomes "all in the mind", believe me I am not taking the pi55. It's like when you have had a stinking passenger - you can still smell it for hours, but nobody else can. Get the Practice Nurse to check your ear drums and whether you need an ear syringing. When Skippering the boat I get people who have never been seasick suddenly suffering, equally some who are always sick are cured, in both instances it is either Syringing needed or a burst eardrum. Not often I agree with Skippy , but if others drive the cars with no problem, I think he has nailed it.

Author:	fendertele [ Tue Oct 21, 2014 3:05 am ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
Thanks everyone for the replies as this is getting me down a lot.. and is the only thing that puts me off driving and to most drivers of all the things that included with being a taxi driver i would guess it would come pretty low on the list of annoyances but for me it can make the difference between driving calm and safely and feeling panicked. I felt at some points it could be a balance thing but the fact the feeling can shift from side depending on bumps and little drain holes tells me it's something being shunted slightly and changing the feeling of the car... and being as most of them have had many a previous owner i would imagine with the mileage on most of them they will have hit a bump or two before i get it.... if it was my balance i imagine i would be feeling the same problem the first time i step in every car but this is something that develops overtime and once it becomes prominent, no matter how many things i imagine it could be tracking/wheels etc... i can never get to the bottom of it and yes there is usually a slight pull associated with it.. and even when i get the tracking done it remains.. so it's nice to see that some other things could be the cause of the pull of the car and the culprit.... i will defo be getting one of those stut mounts that someone mentioned when/if i get my own car!.

Author:	fendertele [ Tue Oct 21, 2014 3:10 am ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
sasha wrote: fendertele wrote: as it seems to shift from the left to the right while driving about and going over bumps on the road, i can feel it to a lesser degree even driving straight but it only becomes a worry when taking long curves It's either the track rod ends, lower suspension bush, wheel bearing or front lower arms. Easy to check and easy to fix fairly cheaply. Jack up the front of the car and holding the wheel at the top and bottom see if there is any free play. If yes then its suspension bush or lower arms. Another sign the lower arms have gone is when youre driving in a straight line and the car suddenly pulls to one side - like its been caught by a gust of wind. Holding the wheel at the sides (9+3) see if theres any free play. If yes its the track rods or wheel bearing. Could also be roll bar links but the ordinary driver wouldnt notice anything wrong. Suspension struts, but when these go the car bounces up and down rather than being damped. Broken spring, but the car would sit lower at the affected corner. Theres also the tracking, loose wheel nuts and incorrect tyre pressure to consider. this here is exactly what i will be suggesting when i go into a garage if i ever feel the same problem with my own car.... i will just hit them with all those possibilities and let em check and hopefully one would tick the box thanks

Author:	skippy41 [ Tue Oct 21, 2014 10:10 am ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
don't bother with the cars go and get checked, I had the same sensations, it was my blood pressure, it was on the high side, its now under control with daily medication, and no more symptoms, for the last 7 years

Author:	MR T [ Tue Oct 21, 2014 10:28 am ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
skippy41 wrote: don't bother with the cars go and get checked, I had the same sensations, it was my blood pressure, it was on the high side, its now under control with daily medication, and no more symptoms, for the last 7 years Lot's of cars same driver......= driver...

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Author:	fendertele [ Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: question for drivers clued up in car faults
skippy41 wrote: don't bother with the cars go and get checked, I had the same sensations, it was my blood pressure, it was on the high side, its now under control with daily medication, and no more symptoms, for the last 7 years my current car feels great to drive, as he swapped me over from the new skoda rapid to an older octavia... would i not be feeling it in every car right away ? or did u just feel it sometimes... i'm now starting to think you may be right because thinking back... i always feel it most prominent when i start my shift and it seems to feel better halfway through the shift... i just put it down to the car knocking about and settling... but you might be onto something i actually have a non cancerous brain tumor but as i dont have any balance issues walking,running etc... i never thought for a second it could be causing this problem as i always felt it in the steering wheel and not so much on how i'm sitting will look into it for sure.