Hi

i'm sticking this in here too - inspired by the thread on motorway driving with lots of talk of speeds alot higher than i dare to go....

I drive a fair bit on the motorway and haven't had a problem yet...

BUT - (and this post might be better placed in Technical) I start to get a strange vibrating noise / howling once I start to hit 100 KM/h (i've only driven KM cars for the last 9 years, so easier to stick to KM)

it's coming from the front, definately - and it's not revs related as i can be revving it hard up hills at 60 or 70 KM/h and there's no noise - similarly, down hill, low revs - but as soon as I hit 100 it starts the howling?????????????

(no i haven't got a wolf under the bonnet)

Wheel bearing.

Does it change in pitch or volume at all if you're going round a motorway bend in either direction? My money's on it being a little worse than straight in one direction, and a bit better in the other. It'll probably be the outside in the worse direction.

Thanks Adrian;

bearing was my first choice, only there's no play and the noise is a constant 'tone' - but i will check it out

never had enough of a bend on a motorway, to fully test your theory - M4 & M5 are relatively straight!!!

thanks again
Will

Mebbe it's just because it's at the front of my mind, having had one on the Saab a week or two back... That had no play, either - but was very, very loud above about 60. Fairly constant "tone" once it going, apart from getting even louder over 90-ish, but I think that might be academic in an Ami... <grin>

Yes indeed - I was just shocked by Russ getting his to 85 or whatever he said - same car, same sized engine (the retro-fit M28)?????

how easy is a front bearing change without any special tools etc.???

the revs cant change unless there is elastic in the drivetrain 1 revolution of the engine = a set revolution of the wheel whether its up hill or down dale, what changes is the load on the engine.

but id guess at a wheel bearing and not necessarily front either as the sound has a strange way of resonating from the wrong end of the car

can be a pure bitch to do, burst out retaining ring rather than try to unscrew it
the hub/spinner thingy can be difficult too

Sean

Lift one front wheel of the ground using a stable jack, stick it in 4th gear and let go of the clutch (gently). When you get to near top speed, engage the clutch, put it in neutral and turn the engine off. If it is a bearing you'll hear it straight away. Do the other side too. Rear: lift so both wheels are off the ground and rotate with your hand as quick as possible. Fucked bearings do have a speciel metal sound.

The wheel bearings on my ami, prior to fitting the turned arms were the loudest thing you could hear. Absolutely no play in them at all, and even when spun on a jack you couldn't really hear them.

I'm more amazed that you're amazed that it's possible to go that fast in an a series. Flat out on a motorway my ami was faster on the flat than a standard late 2cv.

Some peoples legs are longer than others Rus. I suggest sliding the seat further forward and/or tying a block of wood to the bottom of your right foot with a piece of string, that way you can push the throttle pedal down further.

Harley

Or cutting a hole under the throttle so it goes down further?