I have recently purchased the car and it would appear to have been serviced regularly. The problems are: braking, especially from speeds of 50-70mph is very lackluster. Although the car will eventually stop the brakes inspire no confidence!

Driving on even slightly bumpy roads vibration is felt through the floor pan and through the steering wheel. I am assuming the shocks are worn out but I have not yet tested them out of the car. The suspension seems very hard anyway and there is little play when pushing down on the front to see is the car bounces.

I have noticed that when the front is raised up and the wheels are gripped at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock there is slight back and forth movement but when the wheel is held in the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions there is no movement. I have also noticed that when holding the wheel at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and turn the steering wheel away from straight ahead, the wheel movement seems to go away. As a final note, when moving the steering wheel slightly back and forth I can feel a slight click in either direction.

Any help in these matters would be most gratefully received.

Regards

Paul Akester

First your brakes...it sounds as if your brake Pads have glazed over, this is usually caused by either overheating which causes them to go like bakelite (very hard) or it could be simply a poor quality of friction material on the Pads.

I would have them checked at an AP Lockheed Brake Service Station, many of them are offering a Free Brake Check at the moment, if you let me know your Town I'll let you know the name of the nearest centre to you.

The steering problem sounds like a worn lower ball Joint, but needs checking and soon, as far as your shock absorbers, there should be some movement up and down in fact the test we use is:- press firmly down on the front corner, the vehicle should go down then up then half way down again and stop, if it does more than this or if it won't go down hardly at all, your shockers are probably shot.

The Brake Safety Centre will probably be pleased to test both your steering and your shockers when to get the brakes checked.

Whoever you choose, because it's your brakes and steering and your life depends on it, please get it checked as soon as you can.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards Bill