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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - ZS - Steering Design Fault.

My new MG ZS had a problem when I got it. If I steered full lock left the front off side wheel hit the body of the car in the wheel arch. Unseen this can only be heard at relatively high speed, 15 mph with full lock left seems quick to me anyway.

This car was replaced, only to have my new car do the same. Two other MG ZS's at the dealership also did the same. I have now been told that this is a 'Design Characteristic' and I should modify my driving!!!!!

This is a fault and will cause excess wear on tyres and may cause a skid. Does anyone else have any knowledge of this fault? I am currently argueing with MG Rover about how to resolve this situation.

brandon Johnson

I spun my 180 round in a car park this weekend and i experienced the same....only because i was going a little fast mind!!!, and have not yet experienced any thing drastic as yet.

You think the 180 is bad.. you want to try the 120!! i test drove one and the wheels were always banging the body when i spun it through 180.

Kev

K Heaton

I was taught that one should *never* drive power steering on full lock - if in a tight space then go to full lock then immediately back off slightly.
David

At last!!
Someone else is experiencing the 'wheel rubbing on full lock' problem. I have a ZS120 with the standard 16" alloys as does my work collegue. We have both reported it to our dealer. The first reaction we got was "it's because it is lowered, nothing we can do". After some nagging they are looking into the problem and we are awaiting the outcome.

My car does it in one particular place and I have to slow down to crawling pace to prevent it. Having said that whilst driving it hard around some corners I have also experienced it ;-).

The plot thickens.
Paul

I am now getting my car examined by a third party vehicle examiner. If they decide this is a fault and not a 'Design Characteristic' I will be taking both dealer and Factory to Court for knowingly selling faulty (Possibly dangerous) goods.

Apparently 80 per cent of MG ZS's have this problem, and thats from the dealership manager!
brandon Johnson

In 12 months since car was launched this is the first I have ever heard of this, so 80% is rubbish!! Sorry but I think what U have are isolated cases!!


Kelvin
16K+ miles
Kelvin

They may very well be isolated cases. On the other hand some ZS users may never experience the problem because they have never driven over an uneven surface on full lock. It would seem very strange that not all ZSs' suffer this problem, can't think of a logical explanation why some do and some don't.
Paul

It is a good point Paul and i also think it strange that my 180 has only done it once when I ar*eholed it through 180 on full lock and Kelvins has never done it!!

Brandon / Paul i would suggest that the problem generaly only lies with the 120?? as i also found, as previously stipulated, when i test drove one. Large alloys, minimal clearance, not bad suspension... opposed to the stiffer 180 model, the banging / rubbing problem was the reason that put me of the 120 and went for the 180.




K Heaton

I have not experienced this problem, seem to remember it being mentioned some time ago.

My car is a ZS 120, with 17" wheels, which has been driven hard over rough surfaces.

I would think that it may be, as previously mentioned, just isolated cases.
JLD

Good comments K, but I was under the impression that the 120 and 180 had exactly the same suspension set up.
Paul

No direct experience but logically the 180/6 will be noticeably heavier than the K120/4 therefore the spring rates should be higher and probably higher rated dampers too .
David

This thread was discussed between 15/07/2002 and 20/07/2002

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