V70: Suspension Improving steering "feel"

[jco]

I think most would agree that the V70 has reasonable (for the size) handling but lacks steering "feel"
Has anyone tried any relatively minor mods such as different bushes or strut braces which have made an improvement
I don't want a major upgrade but sometimes just a tweak can help

[dolphian]

- change suspension
- change tires
- larger rims
- spoiler

[KiwiRob]

Originally Posted by dolphian

- change suspension
- change tires
- larger rims
- spoiler

Sounds like you are describing the R design

[jco]

Thanks dolphian but
a) sounds like a bit more than a tweak
b) not sure its getting to the heart of the problem

[Sanzomat]

Changing bushes/adding a strut brace are only tweaks then?
I've no complaints about the feel from my RD - only the amount of tendency to follow road imperfections, but I suppose that is a common problem with low profile tyres.

Changing tyre brands can have a huge effect on feel. My last car (Audi A6) felt horrible on Contis but felt like a completely different car on bridgestones. I bought the Bridgestones 'cos they were much cheaper but was so glad I did. I'm surprised that Audi put Conti on from new as IMHO they didn't suit the car but I guess it could just be personal preference.

[littlevillage]

Jco ... There are many Threads on this community regarding improving the Feel of the V70... A known shortcoming. A couple of simple things you can do

- carefully select Tyres
- Wheel Alignment

[dodgyken]

I agree that the V70 steering is poor - there is just no feel - and I can't work out what can be done to change that. I have 2 sets of wheels - and the car doesn't feel any better when on bigger or smaller wheels.

The problem you have is that the car has a big heavy engine slung ahead of the front axle which requries hefty power assistance. Even with the assistance turned to be "Big hulking giant" the steering only ever feels heavy and not tactctile. Having driven cars with a good steering it is amazing the difference it can make to how a car feels.

I am not convinced stiffening the front end will help too much.

[jco]

Agree about tyres and wheel alignment - whell alignment experiments are reasonably cheap but tyres is a different game at 6 - 800 a set (could just do the fronts I suppose)
Also no 2 opinions are ever the same on tyres as far as I can see

[gtr1000]

I'd start with the least expensive option, ie. global geometry set up, NOT a simple alignment. http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/tec...ignsystems.php

Cost for this is about £60 + VAT. There's more bedtime reading under the "technical" section of the above link.

Take my other car for example, a Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi. Even with new tyres on (Uniroyal Rainsport 2, 225/45/17), the car felt like it was hinged in the middle. A full global set-up transformed the car into what it should have been from day one.

Then move on to lowered springs (-35 or 40mm) front and rear with Bilstein B4 or B6 dampers to match. Then polyeurothane suspension bushes all round if you can find them or get them machined.

[jco]

Thanks GTR1000 - I wondered about these poly bushes - that was part of the question