S80 wheel problems

Hi,

I have recently bought a 03 S80 2.4 D5. It started out to be the best car I ever drove.
But it now has a tendancy to wander while driving.
I do not know anything about cars but when I am driving it feels like the front wheels move and point in a different direction and I constantly have to compensate.
I have taken it to an independent garage who said the bushes need replacing, I took it to a Vovlo garage who said it was perfectly fine.

The problem is intermittent and is so annoying I am considering selling it as I drive over 100 miles a day.

Has anyone seen this problem or have any idea what it could be?
I have had the wheel alignment done but the problem remains.

Thanks,
Marcus

[Dommett]

Just a very obvious one, if you have larger alloys (particuarly 18") which have wide low profile tyres, they will tramline with imperfections in the road, but only on some road surfaces (and has little to do with the smoothness), I guess depending on material/laying technique they will pull side to side slightly as they follow the slight grooves.
Upgrading from 16" alloys, it does feel completely different.

If it's not that I have no idea, I've had hubs replaced before (on another volvo) which completely cured a wondering problem, but it wasn't intermittant.

The intermittent bit is a big clue here. Worn bushes would give you a problem all of the time. I agree with the last thread that wide wheels do tramline and it can be a little disconcerting. A daft thing to look for is road damage by NTL who certainly around here seemed to dig every road up to put a fibrwe optic cable under ground. The trenches are about a third of the way over the road and tend to wander. Something else to take into consideration is that the roads are somewhat slippier than there were a month ago and any powerful front wheel drive car will tend to grab at the road and you will get torque steer.

Hi,

Just reading your post about the steering on your S80, I have the same thing with my T6 especially when on the motorways. My car went into volvo for a service last week and I got them to check that all was ok with the suspension and steering etc which it was. The problem seems to be caused by having large tyres which tend to tramline on certain road surfaces, my previous car was a Lexus GS300 which did the same thing and the only way I managed to improve it was by replacing the front tyres with Pirelli P6000's. I plan to do this with my Volvo over the next few weeks so will let you know if it makes a difference.

Cheers

Glenn

[stephenmoore]

Marcus, had the same problem with my wife's S80 2001 2.9 running on P6000s 215*55*R16. Tramlining would occur to varying degrees dependant on road conditon. My local Volvo independant specialist tracked it down to worn lower suspension arm bushes and swivel pins. Had the work done (£500)and now it drives perfectly. I run my S80 2.9 1999 on Kuhmo tyres 225*55*R16 and I do get very slight tramlining but this is definately down to the tyre section but for the benefits of reduced cost and wear I can easily live with this.

Rgds Steve

[stephenmoore]

Hope to send a message but having difficulty so checking send option first

IM CHANGING MY P.6000 TO STOP THE PROB AS THERE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Cheers

Glenn[/QUOTE]