2007 S-Type.
When I make slow right turns, the driver-side front wheel (US) shudders, which I can feel through the steering and I can also hear it. When I hit bumps in the road, I recently noticed (because it's finally warm enough to drive with the windows open) that the same wheel rattles. I have stopped driving the car until I can identify and repair. I have little experience repairing cars, but am starting to learn. Any suggestions for cause and difficulty of repair?

 

My first best guess is the wheel bearing has died. It is a "hub style" and simple to fit.

Raise that wheel off the ground, safety measures observed of course, grab that wheel "top and bottom", and note how much "movement" you have. There should be ZERO.

 

What's a good source for quality parts?

 

EBay or rock auto

 

Does the noise increase in pitch with increased speed? That would indicate bearings.

If only upon turning the wheel, check upper and lower ball joints. Perform the tests Grant indicated above. You should be able to see any wear issues, as opposed to chasing electrical ghosts. Suspension problems reveal themselves with simple pulls and tugs (once on a lift).

 

When checking the hub lift the tire off the ground and see if you can feel vertical movement if not then try horizontal movement. Then check to see if your lower ball joint nut has come loose this is a common problem and should not be over looked.

Link http://jagrepair.com/images/TSB/TSB2...l%20Joints.pdf

 

I jacked the wheel up off the floor. No horizontal or vertical movement of wheel when I try and wiggle it around. Could it be struts? (I really don't know much—but I'm trying to learn!) Thank you for your help!

 

Also no driving hum or noise that I've noticed. Just the low-frequency vibration or shudder on low-speed right turns and the rattle on bumps.

 

OK, step one done.

That low speed hum, may be tyres, as in the tread pattern. I have had that at times on various Jags over the years. Swap the front wheels, left to right, thus running the tyres "backwards", and note any changes?.

NATURALLY, if for some bizzare reason, you have "Directional" tyres fitted that is NOT an option. Only you will know the answer to that question.

The rattle over bumps is most likely the front sway bar mount rubbers, commonly called the "D" rubbers. Fun to change, NOT.

This will be a slow systematic diagnosis and elimination process.

Disc rotor and pad contact is very low on my list, but others may have different/other ideas.

 

Similarly often experienced problems come from the anti-roll bar drop links. These have ball joints that wear out too quickly and rattle. One manufacturer (Meyle) even sells heavy duty versions.

They are not expensive and are easy to change so I would swap them out if they are old or unknown.

Recently, there was a report of an odd cause of similar symptoms which was a sticking caliper piston so I would also check that, even if it is just to rule it out.

 

I jacked up the wheel and got under it, nothing seems loose except the outer tie rod end which is attached to the wheel at a ball joint. I can move it around and the tie rod end bangs against part of the ball joint, if I have my nomenclature correct.

 

here's a picture of what I mean

 

That's outer tie rod. Easy to replace but you need to get wheel alignment afterwards. Use the latest alignment spec to avoid tire wear. And do the both sides while you are already doing it.

 

So, there's not much of a rubber boot there on the end of the outer tie rod where it's attached to the knuckle. Is that the way it's supposed to be? I can move the outer tie rod around on that ball joint my finger is pointing to and it clicks against the knuckle. There is no movement in the wheel when I have it off the floor either vertically or horizontally when I pull and tug on it, so I'm inclined to think it's not that the tie rods themselves are bad. Do I just need to replace the boots?

Also, I drove it on the driveway, the steering shudder is slight and in both directions at low speed turns.

 

Okay, so this will show how little I know . . .
I was working under the car to fix the wiper fluid pump, which was clogged. I realized when I was underneath that the plastic panels that cover the underside of the car have a few missing screws. So, I suspect that the rattle on the bumps are where the panels are loose. I was wondering, because there was no steering feedback on the rattles. I still don't know what the slight shudder at low-speed turns is.

Anyone know where I can get those funny little clip-nuts and bolts for the underside?

 

AutoZone, Advanced Auto or NAPA.

Gus
www.jagrepair.com

 

>Okay, so this will show how little I know . . .

No, don't be alarmed, noises from the front are hard to diagnose. Go ahead and secure the belly pan and let us know.

Fixing a problem on a Jaguar is always its own reward
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