Hi all,
Last week noticed steering wheel was slightly out. I do drive up on kerb by my house.
Took it to get tracked ,when done the car pulled more to the left than before,went back they retried and still the same.
They looked again and we all noticed the Strut top mount (rubber)was practically in two pieces .The one on the driver side was not in much better condition. Cost me Ã,£100 to fit both and all other components checked and they all appear fine.
Took it back to redo the tracking (free).Just went for run in car ,
Problem is the steering wheel is still out.
I will be going back tomoz to see them.Any ideas on what it could be.
Thanks all.
Usually what suffers the most when bouncing up and down kerbs is the lower wishbone bushes.
To correct a small amount of steering wheel alignment you need to shorten or lengthen the left or right tie rod (depending which way you need to get the wheel to centre) and do the opposite to the other side, this will not effect the tracking if you do each side by the same amount you are effectively shortening one side and lengthening the other.
A left hand tyre thats worn on the outside edge will tend to steer toward the kerb, you may need to move your front to the rear or replace if worn badly.
Or they just didnt centre the steering wheel when tracking it up
Ive had that a few times
Off to garage today ,ill gt back to you and tell you outcome.
On checking the replaced parts Strut top mounts,i noticed that the cup washers (as on photo on this forum)are perished ,should these have been changed as well.I cant find the price of them on line.I presumed they would have been changed or come with the parts when they changed the struts,.How can I tell if they have been changed if the old struts have been changed,...
The cups really only keep the strut in position when the vehicle is jacked up, they don't effect the steering at all
Thanks.
Hopefully tracking done today.
Must admit best car ive had.Looking to get new model next year,as I like the seat fold system.Just a pity they don't have sliding doors.
Thanks again
The sliding door thing is the main reason I now have a sharan, I was told the new model coming out later this year was going to have them but couldn't wait that long.
Been back to garage.They re- did tracking ,took car out still the same .We changed back tryes over to front ,still the same.We looked at the lower arm (wishbone)and the rubbers are badley worn,they reckon this could be thje prob.Getting peeded of now as it seems to b one thing after another.
Not sure if its worth changing these over.Just checked the prices and im looking at Ã,£60 for both side or can you just change the rubbers >:(
Any ideas,.
Thankshttps://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/Smileys/akyhne/angry.gif
It's a bit of a givaway really, the tracking can't be out of adjustment every time it's checked, they should have been looking at these bushes first as they will affect any steering geometry readings.
Ã,£60 isn't a bad price for both arms.
cheers,going to order them today.Could I do this my self and how long should it take.The guys in the garage said they would re-do tracking once its changed for free.I Got my money back.I agree with what you said they should have checked before attemting.Thats what you get for Ã,£15.
You can do the job yourself as its not that difficult, just make sure you order the lower ball joint at the same time as a) they'll probably be just as knackered and b) they tend to get destroyed when you separate it from the strut anyway.
just took the car out (motorway flat road.),steering wheel slightly out of line, but car does not drift to the left or right.Noticed wheel wobble at 60+.
Any suggestions before I fork out more cash.My mate looked at the wishbone and said in his opinion the rubbers are fine (Only Ã,£7 to replace)
Going to take it to another garage to ask them to check the suspension /steering out anyway.
So what exactly is the remaining problem? Just that the steering wheel is out of line when travelling straight ahead? If so, just how far out is it?
Steering wheel only slightly out,compared to wot it was like.Steering wheel vibrates/wobbles.Why does it do this ,it never did this before.
As for the wishbones ,I'm taking it to garage and going to ask there opinion.my mate looked and he said they look fine.
1. steerings wobbling so front wheels need balancing
2. wheel off centre; give it back to garage who done the tracking, if they have average quality equipment it will be 4 wheel alignment----they are able to adjust each side once the steering wheel has been set in the correct position.
wonder if they bothered to clamp the steering wheel?
At last solved.
Vibrating was the tyres needed balancing(as they were moved from back.)
Wishbones ok ,no need to replace.
Steering wheel is not perfect straight ,but its that slight only I would notice it.
thanks for all the advice.