Steering vagueness and wandering - Page 4

JK24T · Sep 27th, 2006, 15:23

Have now placed an order at PartsforVolvosonline for the Polyflex bushings also checked price at local Volvo garage to fit. Will opt for new standard rear wishbone bush aswell. Wishbone has to come out and busings pressed in with the Volvo tool.
A note, if you order the standard front bush from Volvo you will recive the "new" police speced bush. The oldest and softest are no longer available.

Will report back and document the procedure if possible with pictures to ad to this thread.

- Johan

Peter S60 2.4T '02 · Oct 3rd, 2006, 21:21

S60 2.4T 2002, 17ins factory alloys

I had the tramline syndrom on straight roads that were rutted from heavy haulage usage, when my Continent Contisport Contact tyres where near their limit. After recently owning an '02 V70 2.4 with 15ins alloys, assumed this effect was down to just having less flex area between the the alloys and tarmac.

Base on an excellent performance from a new pair of BF Goodriches Profilers - compared to the previous (from new) squeeling P6000's that last 5 minutes and rolled on bends like the Titanic going down, I decided to stick some on the front of S60. No tramlining! Gripped like a monkey!

Funny thing though, on my 72k service at the Volvo main agent back on Oct '05, the chap said there was a left side bush wearing on the front suspension. He said that Volvo could replace both sides for the cost on one side, valid until the car hits a 100k - this was general to all S60's. All-in cost £100 + VAT.

I guess this relates to recognising a problem that they do not wish to pay for in full.

My MOT on 02.10.2006 states that the two front lower-arm bushes will not see the next MOT through. Maybe this is why I'm now getting a slight clonk when I've gone over the end of a speed ramp in the road, and the tramline has come back, even with my newly fitted front tyres.

Oh well, PartsforVolvosonline.com are only 18 miles up the road. I'm in no hurry, yet.

Regards.
Peter

matthewwhall · Oct 5th, 2006, 17:59

My 2002 V70 T5 seems to have had the same problem as everyone else's:
Some torque steer even when new, but after 50K miles the precision of the steering went downhill fast.

I have just replaced the wishbones, supplied from
http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/...oducts_id=3216
The bushes in these parts are rubber, not nylon, but firmer (& cheaper) than the original spec. Perhaps they are not oil-filled? Anyway, the steering is more precise than it's ever been; little torque-steer, even with a heavy foot in low gear. On the downside, there's more vibration from the road surface fed back through the steering wheel, which can get tiring on long journeys.

So I'd say - for a comfy ride, choose the original equipt, for a street racer, the polyflex, but for a reasonable compromise, the plain rubber.

You pay's your money, you takes your choice....

Roger Jennings · Oct 14th, 2006, 10:44

Having just read the above comments and recently taken delivery of a NEW S60 D5 I am somewhat depressed! The car is so affected by the camber of the road and "grooving" caused by HGV's that it has been back to the dealer already. They did a tracking check which showed it to be slightly out (on a new car I ask you!) but this has not corrected the problem. The car always has a tendency to want to pull to the near side of the road and I can't believe that this is down to the P6000's on it or is it? My previous S80 had similar characheristics but not to such a great extent although I clearly remember going to France with it on holiday and what happens - does it pull to the near side over there, does it heck - it goes in a straight line! All this after new tyres and a steering geometry check/adjustment. As the S60 has only done 7k in the 4 months that I have had it new tyres are not an option yet, unless I replace the front two, but when I do change them what brand do you recommend or is it down to the bushes?

sheerwater · Oct 14th, 2006, 11:05

I still wonder how accurate the tracking guages are in normal tyre places. I had a 740 which was a wanderer and puller. A full computer alignment at a crash repairers solved all problems and it drove like a dream for years.

Black · Oct 14th, 2006, 11:36

Roger - It is hard to believe but I think it is down to the Pirrelli P6000s. Mine is the 2006 D5 Sport and had tramlined since I got it with 5k on the clock. Having come from driving GTI Golfs the handling was the only disapointment I had with the car expecially the tendency to wander etc.
Anyway at 16k the P6000s had worn down to the point where I could just about justify changing them.
Got some Dunlop SP9090s fitted all round and all of the vagueness has gone completely, feels like a new car.

It is strange though as my second last GTI (1.8T MKIV) came with P6000s and I switched to Toyo Proxes and didn't notice any issues.

imac · Oct 14th, 2006, 14:43

Roger,

On a brand new car the bushes wont be worn, so if it is fitted with P6000's it is definitely them. They are an absolutely awful tyre and I dont know why Volvo insist on fitting them to all new cars!!!

To test, ask them to swap the wheels and tyres accross temporarily from another Volvo fitted with a different brand of tyre and you'll soon notice the difference!

Personal preference is Goodyear Eagle F1's

Roger Jennings · Oct 15th, 2006, 09:34

Imac,

Thanks for your comment. In the light of all the other opinions about this particular make/type of tyre perhaps if the VOC brought some pressure to bear on Volvo then they might? take notice about this point which imho lets down a super car. If Volvo want to try and take the BMW market for this type of car then they are doing themselves no favours at all by fitting a tyre which lets down the whole car in terms of its handling. I will write to the VOC to see if they will take the issue up and now go back to the dealer armed with more knowledge.

Black · Oct 16th, 2006, 20:58

Roger - Good idea. Every review I read of new volvos complains about the handling, I bet they are all tested on P6000s.

I took my car down a really twisty bit of road today and was amazed at the difference the new tyres have made. The car feels so much more composed and stable. The initial turn in is also much better. Absolutley no following the camber of the road etc.

Handling is back to what I would expect of a "sporting saloon". I never thought tyres made such a.
Just hang on in until you need new tyres I promiss you will be amazed at the difference.

DaveMitch · Oct 17th, 2006, 19:58

Hi Black,
What tyres did you change over to?
Dave

Oct 3rd, 2006, 21:21	#32
Peter S60 2.4T '02 Peter S60 2.4T '02 Last Online: Jul 24th, 2007 19:28 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: mk	RE: Steering vagueness and wandering S60 2.4T 2002, 17ins factory alloys I had the tramline syndrom on straight roads that were rutted from heavy haulage usage, when my Continent Contisport Contact tyres where near their limit. After recently owning an '02 V70 2.4 with 15ins alloys, assumed this effect was down to just having less flex area between the the alloys and tarmac. Base on an excellent performance from a new pair of BF Goodriches Profilers - compared to the previous (from new) squeeling P6000's that last 5 minutes and rolled on bends like the Titanic going down, I decided to stick some on the front of S60. No tramlining! Gripped like a monkey! Funny thing though, on my 72k service at the Volvo main agent back on Oct '05, the chap said there was a left side bush wearing on the front suspension. He said that Volvo could replace both sides for the cost on one side, valid until the car hits a 100k - this was general to all S60's. All-in cost £100 + VAT. I guess this relates to recognising a problem that they do not wish to pay for in full. My MOT on 02.10.2006 states that the two front lower-arm bushes will not see the next MOT through. Maybe this is why I'm now getting a slight clonk when I've gone over the end of a speed ramp in the road, and the tramline has come back, even with my newly fitted front tyres. Oh well, PartsforVolvosonline.com are only 18 miles up the road. I'm in no hurry, yet. Regards. Peter

Oct 5th, 2006, 17:59	#33
matthewwhall New Member Last Online: Feb 1st, 2008 14:26 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oxford	Replacing bushes to fix vague steering & Torque-steer. My 2002 V70 T5 seems to have had the same problem as everyone else's: Some torque steer even when new, but after 50K miles the precision of the steering went downhill fast. I have just replaced the wishbones, supplied from http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/...oducts_id=3216 The bushes in these parts are rubber, not nylon, but firmer (& cheaper) than the original spec. Perhaps they are not oil-filled? Anyway, the steering is more precise than it's ever been; little torque-steer, even with a heavy foot in low gear. On the downside, there's more vibration from the road surface fed back through the steering wheel, which can get tiring on long journeys. So I'd say - for a comfy ride, choose the original equipt, for a street racer, the polyflex, but for a reasonable compromise, the plain rubber. You pay's your money, you takes your choice....

Oct 14th, 2006, 10:44	#34
Roger Jennings VOC Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 20:55 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Yorkshire	Wandering steering Having just read the above comments and recently taken delivery of a NEW S60 D5 I am somewhat depressed! The car is so affected by the camber of the road and "grooving" caused by HGV's that it has been back to the dealer already. They did a tracking check which showed it to be slightly out (on a new car I ask you!) but this has not corrected the problem. The car always has a tendency to want to pull to the near side of the road and I can't believe that this is down to the P6000's on it or is it? My previous S80 had similar characheristics but not to such a great extent although I clearly remember going to France with it on holiday and what happens - does it pull to the near side over there, does it heck - it goes in a straight line! All this after new tyres and a steering geometry check/adjustment. As the S60 has only done 7k in the 4 months that I have had it new tyres are not an option yet, unless I replace the front two, but when I do change them what brand do you recommend or is it down to the bushes?

Oct 14th, 2006, 11:05	#35
sheerwater Master Member Last Online: Feb 24th, 2019 17:59 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Northampton	Tracking I still wonder how accurate the tracking guages are in normal tyre places. I had a 740 which was a wanderer and puller. A full computer alignment at a crash repairers solved all problems and it drove like a dream for years.

Sep 27th, 2006, 15:23	#31
JK24T New Member Last Online: Sep 11th, 2008 15:24 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South of Sweden	Have now placed an order at PartsforVolvosonline for the Polyflex bushings also checked price at local Volvo garage to fit. Will opt for new standard rear wishbone bush aswell. Wishbone has to come out and busings pressed in with the Volvo tool. A note, if you order the standard front bush from Volvo you will recive the "new" police speced bush. The oldest and softest are no longer available. Will report back and document the procedure if possible with pictures to ad to this thread. - Johan

Oct 14th, 2006, 11:36	#36
Black Junior Member Last Online: Aug 2nd, 2009 19:58 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay City	Roger - It is hard to believe but I think it is down to the Pirrelli P6000s. Mine is the 2006 D5 Sport and had tramlined since I got it with 5k on the clock. Having come from driving GTI Golfs the handling was the only disapointment I had with the car expecially the tendency to wander etc. Anyway at 16k the P6000s had worn down to the point where I could just about justify changing them. Got some Dunlop SP9090s fitted all round and all of the vagueness has gone completely, feels like a new car. It is strange though as my second last GTI (1.8T MKIV) came with P6000s and I switched to Toyo Proxes and didn't notice any issues.

Oct 14th, 2006, 14:43	#37
imac Premier Member Last Online: Sep 19th, 2009 21:23 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Hove, Actually.	Roger, On a brand new car the bushes wont be worn, so if it is fitted with P6000's it is definitely them. They are an absolutely awful tyre and I dont know why Volvo insist on fitting them to all new cars!!! To test, ask them to swap the wheels and tyres accross temporarily from another Volvo fitted with a different brand of tyre and you'll soon notice the difference! Personal preference is Goodyear Eagle F1's

Oct 15th, 2006, 09:34	#38
Roger Jennings VOC Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 20:55 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Yorkshire	Imac, Thanks for your comment. In the light of all the other opinions about this particular make/type of tyre perhaps if the VOC brought some pressure to bear on Volvo then they might? take notice about this point which imho lets down a super car. If Volvo want to try and take the BMW market for this type of car then they are doing themselves no favours at all by fitting a tyre which lets down the whole car in terms of its handling. I will write to the VOC to see if they will take the issue up and now go back to the dealer armed with more knowledge.

Oct 16th, 2006, 20:58	#39
Black Junior Member Last Online: Aug 2nd, 2009 19:58 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay City	Roger - Good idea. Every review I read of new volvos complains about the handling, I bet they are all tested on P6000s. I took my car down a really twisty bit of road today and was amazed at the difference the new tyres have made. The car feels so much more composed and stable. The initial turn in is also much better. Absolutley no following the camber of the road etc. Handling is back to what I would expect of a "sporting saloon". I never thought tyres made such a. Just hang on in until you need new tyres I promiss you will be amazed at the difference.

Oct 17th, 2006, 19:58	#40
DaveMitch Member Last Online: Oct 7th, 2021 11:34 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London	Hi Black, What tyres did you change over to? Dave

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)