(Home) Wheel vibration

I have a 1992 Royal Lounge 4wd Townace,I used it last night, no problems, pulled out of my driveway this morning and the steering wheel began to shake violently and terrible screeching sound when I try to turn the wheel.I've only had the vehicle about 6 weeks and I noticed after the first day a clonking sound when I turn hard left or right, could this be the same problem which has worsened? A few days ago I asked my local Toyota garage about the clonking and they said just to put some grease on the stops near the wheels.
Last week the garage where I bought it from had to replace the gasket on the turbo because I was getting a high pitched squeeling sound from the turbo.The car also makes a hell of a clonking noise on the front end when you hit the least bit bump,definately a shocker problem I think.The car passed a MOT just before I bought it.I'm just wondering if I've done the right thing buying a vehicle like this of this age.I wouldn't care but it cost £3999.00.I traded in a great 1994 Mondeo which I had 2 trouble free years.I only bought the Townace because I needed a bigger car as I have 3 kids and a huge old english sheepdog and the Townace is an ideal size for them all.
Having had all of these faults happen after a few weeks is making me think of asking the garage where I bought it from just to exchange it for an estate car.
The garage has said they have a Peugeot 406 diesel estate coming in, do you think I should take it or do you think I should persevere with the Townie?

- (#3132) Dave Armstrong, 26 May 02

Dave

Did you get any kind of warranty with the vehicle and would you consider the garage you got it from to be trustworthy (ok that may be a contradiction in terms). You may want to consider an independant garage and ask them to thoroughly check the suspension. From the symptoms you describe, I would say it is the power steering, is the fluid level up to mark? Feeling bumps and clonks through the suspension is pretty normal for these vehicles. Yes grease on the end stops to stop the clunk on full turn is correct.

It is unfortunate that you have had a number of faults immediately after purchase. It's demoralising and effects your confidence in the vehicle. I know I'm going through a bad patch myself.

I can't make the decision for you to change the car but as most contributors to this site will tell you, when it's running well there's nothing to beat it for luxury and space. It's ideal for people with kids and dogs and better than any estate for those reasons. What it isn't is a racer or frugal. It's your choice. Good luck with whatever you decide.

HTH
Ian

- (#3138) Ian Dunse, 27 May 02

It might be nothing to do with it, but your first sentence, Dave, could describe driving on tarmac with 4WD "on" - the tyres scrub and jump around because there is no centre diff to allow the front ones to rotate at different speeds from the rear ones - especially noticeable when cornering and definitely something to avoid.
£4,000 sounds a bit low for 1992 to me. Maybe it does need some work done but, as Ian says, it's potentially a great vehicle. Toyota's advice sounds right in the first instance but something else is wrong. I'd go back to them. Tell us what part of the country you're in and maybe you'll locate someone to help.

- (#3145) Dave Mason, 27 May 02

I have recently purchased a 1992 Royal Lounge 4wd Townace, on inspection of the auto gear box I have noticed a wire cable coming from the box by the gear selection lever, this cable is snapped and I can not find the other end or know what this cable does, the gear box works fine but would like to find out what this cable is for, also is the overdrive solenoid located on the opposite side, one wire held in with 2 bolts & is there any way of checking this to see if it is working.
Thanks Mark Viz.
- (#3149) Mark Viz, 27 May 02

Mark
If you were to submit this as a new post (you're currently tagged on to the end of a thread about wheel vibration), you would stand a better chance of being answered. Click 'HERE' at bottom of page, then select 'NoticeBoard of Knowledge' you will be directed to the main bulletin board.

To answer your question - is your snapped cable the Lo-Hi gear shift to support 4WD? Lift the engine cover and trace the thick cable as it comes out from under the floorpan and runs back towards the fuel filter and down to the gearbox. You could also try to engage it after first locking the wheels, selecting 4WD and trying to engage the Lo shift when in neutral with engine running. It should be pretty stiff. If it's slack then you have your answer. Check overdrive by selecting/deselecting button on gearshift. The orange light on the dash should display when it is off. On the road you will notice that with it off you will be restricted to 3 forward gears.
Ian

- (#3151) Ian Dunse, 27 May 02