Engine mounts or drive shaft play ? 1.3 1275 A plus

[Mark E]

Hi Everyone
I have just joined and thanks for excepting my application .
I did a search and could only find dead end posts and suggestion of Theo from greece whoom i have messaged as used him before .
I am looking for some advice if possable .When pulling away or reversing i feel there is a lot of play and not sure if this is common and what causes it .
I suspect it may be engine mounts /tie bar bushes ,so was wondering are these servicable items as in can i replace the bushes and rummers on mounts is so does anyone have any suggestions or links if new parts needed also links would be appreciated.
I have tried the wife in the car bliping and taking up slack to watch movment but not sure whats normal movement .
I was also wondering could it be play else where like drive shafts gearbox cv joints i am not sure maybe you guys can suggest .
Car has done 76k and passed Mot no advisories related to this.

Thanks Mark

[Jeff Turbo]

Theo passed away a couple of years ago I'm afraid .

[Doctordiesel77]

If you jack one front wheel up with the car in gear & rotate the wheel you'll see if there is play in the cv joints/diff, my 1600 had excessive play in the diff, but had done a lot of stop-start driving in its life. Fingers crossed that this isn't what is afflicting yours, as it is not a simple job! The mountings/tie bar are best checked individually with a big screwdriver or tyre lever, then you can see if one is more loose than the others. If any were really bad I guess the MOT tester would have spotted it, so it may be down to a bit of play in a few places adding up. As Jeff says, Theo is no longer with us, Adrian at https://www.xjrover.co.uk/contact-us has a good stock of parts for our cars, Best of British Rover spare https://bestofmgrover.co.uk/ are worth a try too, but their stock is mostly for the later models.
good luck
John

[Mark E]

Hi John
Thanks for your reply and time I will try this Do you know if there is a diff play that is excewsive close to failing as in clock wise 3 minuts or 5 when turning if that makes sence
Thanks Mark

[Doctordiesel77]

Hi Mark,
I don't think the book tries to quantify the play, I'd be concerned if there was much more than about 10 minutes in total, if there is play it should be easy enough to see which parts are worn anyway.
John