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        General >> Problems >> Steering wanders
        
(Message started by: teaboyterry on Feb 11^th, 2009, 3:51pm)

Title: Steering wanders
Post by teaboyterry on Feb 11^th, 2009, 3:51pm

My 2.0lt estate has started wandering on motorways. I have to keep correcting the steering to keep it in a straight line. Could this be caused by worn bushes?
It seems to be worse when crossing the white lines.
Any suggestions greatfully recieved
Thanks

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by mr._floppy on Feb 12^th, 2009, 1:17am

Yeah, track-rod ends maybe or lower wishbone ball-joints, but I'd check the replaceable rear bushes first .

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by Jonnycab on Feb 12^th, 2009, 2:20pm

Also excessive play in the steering rack pinion or worn tyres :)

Is it only on roads (usually motorways & A roads) that have bad lorry ruts ?....if so, could just be tramlining :)

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by teaboyterry on Feb 14^th, 2009, 2:13am

Hi Jonnycab. no not only on motorways or A roads, also does it on any whiteline painted on the road.
Steering seems o.k. Passed M.O.T. without too many problems, no mention of steering.

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by Jonnycab on Feb 14^th, 2009, 4:38am

If it's passed an MOT & everything checks out okay, then I'd be looking at the tyres ;)

Do you have the 225/50/16 size fitted ?....The wider tyres are more prone to follow ruts & bumps in the road because of their width.....especially if they are a budget make or are worn.

Have you recently swapped the front wheels/tyres from front to back & vice-versa ?....front tyres wear differently to rear tyres & rotating them around (like the books used to recommend) isn't always a good idea.

Hope this helps :)

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by Thunderchild on Feb 14^th, 2009, 10:03am

Check the rear hubs. This is a classic sign of the rear wheel bearings failing. You don't feel it when you try to move the wheel but the drive shaft will possibly move.

One way to check is if you pull the handbrake on gently, the wandering should either stop or reduce.

HTH

Tc

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by teaboyterry on Feb 15^th, 2009, 3:18pm

Tyres are not new but have only done about 3-4 Thousand miles, rear hub bearings have been changed 6 months ago.
Will try swapping tyres arround and see what happens then.

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by Snoopy on Feb 15^th, 2009, 4:41pm

It could just be down to the TYPE/MAKE of tyre some have some very strange characteristics.... One of which is this wander syndrome

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by wumpster on Feb 15^th, 2009, 7:59pm

mine dose not wander normally but i went up to leeds to kevin r today and lane one and 2 om the M62 it wandered pefect in lane 3 and fine in any lane on the M6 it could just be the surface worn by the wagons m8 stayed in lane 3 all the way back at 90 and it was fine ;)

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by lesterlad on Feb 15^th, 2009, 11:14pm

on 02/15/09 at 19:59:08, wumpster wrote:

stayed in lane 3 all the way back at 90 and it was fine ;)

Tut Tut
{} ;D

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by wumpster on Feb 16^th, 2009, 12:03am

what 90 was safe because it was not wandering officer ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by Jonnycab on Feb 16^th, 2009, 2:26pm

on 02/15/09 at 16:41:43, Snoopy wrote:

It could just be down to the TYPE/MAKE of tyre some have some very strange characteristics.... One of which is this wander syndrome

[]....I've always found that 225/50/16 tyres with a directional symmetrical pattern (especially budgets), tend to be affected more by ruts & bumps in the road than non-directional tyres :)

Title: Re: Steering wanders
Post by Cosray - The Hague - Holland on Feb 27^th, 2009, 11:39pm

Is it wandering from the font or rear?
Rear can be easily tested by having full load or 3 passengers and then full throttle in 2nd gear. Had a bad rear hub which made the tail break away with my foot down; very noticeable. If it's the front then any Kwikfit may help you aligning.
HTH,
Ray