The steering wheel has a vibration, side to side. wheels seem like there flopping around. suspension bits all seem tight, don't know where to look for wear. everything seems tight

 

Need a few more details...what year car, what engine? Automatic or stick?


Does it do it under acceleration or all the time? Discs or drums?


Besides look for something loose what else have you done to find it? Has it done it long? Did it start right after some work was done, if so - what?


Did it come on slowly or all at once?


Are the steering rack bolts tight? How about where the steering shaft bolts to the rack?


Are your lugnuts tight?

 

first check wheel balance weights .....then jack up front end so wheels just off ground then grab wheel top and bottom and push it in and out if it moves then ball joints need replacing, also check CV joint for ware.

 

agree

WAY too little information to make any recommendations . . . .

My 2 cents

I have a 79 fitted with Cooper S disk brakes. I have 10x6 wheels. The front end can seem damn loose from tramlining . . . .

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47

 

cars a 79. Standard 1000, 10" tires. recently put on road, Novice mini owner. Always had a shimmy in steering. Hit a bump in road, car darts one way or the other. Seems I have a dead spot in steering(common?), going to replace rack(have new) wondering if its more than just that? most common issue with the front suspension on these cars? lug nuts tight. Thanks Carl

 

Tire shimmy is usually just balance, wander could be as simple as alignment...


My car also tramlines a bit on grooved roads.....

 

Check the balance. Motor on.

 

from what I read you might have a bent tie bar (rod from bottom of hub to front of subframe.....or steerinf arm on top of hub

 

and this couples well to what was about to add .....

look into just how many 'adjustments' are available in the classic Mini front end for that alignment place to tweek {not that a Classic Mini would be in their machine}. . . .

If the suspension is stock ...... there is ONE. TOE

beyond that means replacing parts ...

or correct me . . . .

 

Had Wheels balanced, much better ride. Car had not been driven for three years. Thanks

 

Cool. Where are you located?


You should get that car out and join in one of the local club's runs and get some miles on it!