Steering Vagueness

A couple of tips maybe...

This is the problem in another marque of vehicle and the answer can be the following..

1, Volvo only - The lower balljoints although displaying no movement in the conventional manner are already worn, when replaced you will see what I mean, My VW Caddy has started to display the same eerie uncomfortable feel to it and the answer lies in the lower balljoints and how they're located on the car....

2/ On the other "marque" of vehicle, the upper and lower track control arm bushes although look fine are in fact slightly soft and allow the slight movement known as "tramlining" Highlighted by the fitment of larger wheels.

I upgraded to 17" alloys as I wasn't prepared to experience £280+ per tyre!! The symptom you described was cured by the simple installation of stronger bushes, poly doodah ones will suffice and will GUARANTEE no wander although be slightly harsher than normal, a small sacrifice for better steering I think!

Hope this is of some use...

Regards
Dave M

[Jet2 D5]

This week the press refer to a recall on 10,000 Volvo S60, S80, and V70 models sold in the UK, the problem involves ball joints in the steering system.

Bearing in mind common components I notice in the S80 forum some owners have had swaybars and ball joints changed several times, also there was a related recall some time ago on that model.

No doubt different wheels/tyres would accentuate any problems; the obvious question is the indicated recall just the tip of the iceberg, how extensive is the problem to what looks like an engineering deficiency? We all know that manufacturers aim to minimise such action and leave slightly older cars down to fair ware and tear.

My S60 is now just over 2 years old, so if anyone manages to glean more information and more specifically any detail about the presumed improved specification applicable, please post!

[minuiteman]

Hi, Re your info on the " poly doodah stronger bushes " I HAD given my local garage( not a Volvo garage ) the ok to fit these, as per your comments, they have just informened me that they have contacted Page Volvo of Ferndown Dorset to supply these BUT..... they cannot, as these are only fitted to POLICE CARS ONLY, and are not for sale to the general public !!!!!!!!!!!! so... could you please advise me where I can purchase these bushes. Thank you for your information.

[minuiteman]

Hi
How did you get on with your car, when you took it to your garage and complained about your steering problem, I have the same problem, and I have had no luck with my TWO local Volvo garages in correcting the fault.

Did I say fault !, I was told that it is a characteristic of the car ? and it drives ok to them.

My local Volvo garage had my car for a whole week, its still no better.

Many thanks for any Input minuiteman ( kevin Page.)

Pretty much the same response with mine when it had its first service. They said the tyre pressures were slightly out (although I doubt they were). I have found that increasing the front tyre pressures to around 35psi does improve the handling and reduces understeer. My "wandering" is most noticable around 30mph, at higher speeds does not seem to be too much of a problem, or maybe I am getting used to it.

Brian Ingle