A-Frame Vehicle - Knock from Front End...

[7Hvn]

I recently purchased a VW Up with an existing smart tow a-frame setup.
Ever since I’ve purchased the vehicle it’s had a noticeable knock at the front end.
I took it to my local independent and asked them to check the suspension, engine and gearbox mounts.
Turns out it’s the near side steering ball joint is kaput with masses of play.
On a vehicle with ~14k recorded miles I would typically have found this rather odd but since it’s been towed probably a good few thousand miles it makes sense.
The garage said they had very rarely had to change them on ups and citigos and certainly never with so little mileage.

So a question to you other A Frame folk - have you observed similar issues with steering ball joints or other components prematurely failing with the suspect believed to be as a result of the vehicle being towed with an A Frame??

PS - No A-Frame politics please!

 

[pappajohn]

If it didn't have an A frame it would have been back in under warranty for a manufacturing fault on the ball joint.
An A frame MAY impose more force on steering (its my opinion it will be so slight as to be un-noticeable) but at that mileage it's a faulty joint.
The forces are equal on both sides.... Why only one failure?

 

[boxerdog]

with the state of british roads could have hit potholes when being towed ours had to replace ball joint and cracked steering machanic said had loads of repairs due to road damage

 

[daveandsan]

Sounds strange being the off side, it’s normally the near side that takes the most punishment.

 

[7Hvn]

Thanks for your replies. I'm looking forward to inspecting the nearside ball joint when it comes off the vehicle. I've asked them to replace the offside at the same time as they will be tracking it anyway. Fingers crossed it'll be knock free after that.

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[TheTwoOfUs]

Could it be as a result of being reversed with the wheels being pushed sideways rather than turning?

 

[Kevan]

I tow the same set up, smart tow system, and Skoda Citigo, similar mileage as yours, we have had this car from new, and the smart tow system was fitted on our drive, when the car was less than a week old, towed it all over UK and France, with no problems, the car is late 13 plate (63), use a Smart car and trailer for Spain, and soon for France. hope this gives you some insight to your question

 

[Minxy]

Does the toad register the mileage when towed or just when driving under it's own steam?

 

[pappajohn]

with the state of british roads could have hit potholes when being towed ours had to replace ball joint and cracked steering machanic said had loads of repairs due to road damage

Must say I've followed many drivers who are oblivious to potholes and sunken manhole covers and simply drive over them making no attempt to avoid.

 

[houdini]

Sounds strange being the off side, it’s normally the near side that takes the most punishment.

Could it be because it was driven on the rhs of the road more?

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[7Hvn]

Does the toad register the mileage when towed or just when driving under it's own steam?

No it doesn't because the ignition is not live. There is a blank key without a transponder that's used to deactivate the steering lock. I don't know if its done 5k or 25k being towed.

Fingers crossed when its back tomorrow afternoon its all good again - I'll keep you all posted

 

[Pausim]

Have towed a VW Up on A Frame for last 2 years and not had any problems.

Does the toad register the mileage when towed or just when driving under it's own steam?

A good point, no mileage only registered when being driven with ignition on so that 14k could be misleading.

 

[Pausim]

Does the toad register the mileage when towed or just when driving under it's own steam?

VW Up is petrol not steam.

 

[7Hvn]

Have towed a VW Up on A Frame for last 2 years and not had any problems.

A good point, no mileage only registered when being driven with ignition on so that 14k could be misleading.

I wonder if you can get those axle style odometers you see on truck trailers. They are mounted in the center of the wheel.

 

[Minxy]

I hope the 'damage' to the car and wallet isn't too great but this is exactly WHY I will never buy a car that has been towed on an A-frame ... you simply do not know how it's been dragged along and in most cases how many miles it has done when towed and not just under it's own steam (petrol?).

Did you have any mechanical checks done before you bought it?

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