Steering not self centering

[ramrod]

I have had my 2.7 for a few months now and am slowly getting it sorted. It is a 2010 with 220000km and well maintained. The previous owner told me it needed a wheel alignment and there was some wear on the outside edge of the 265/60 18's. This was causing some nervousness in the steering and it would drift to the left. I had a wheel alignment done and rotated tyres front to back and it is now much better. HOWEVER it still has an issue at low speed such as doing a tight u turn - the steering does not self centre. I could sit there going around in circles with my hands off the wheel for hours. Is this normal ? Any ideas what the issue could be. Cheers

[Eric SDV6SE]

Hi Ramrod,

Have you tried applying some firm/hard braking from say 40-50kph. If you do this and hear a solid clunk, the lower control arm bushes are shot and you need new ones. This may be affecting self centering. Other factors could be tie rods and or steering rack wear.

What report did you get from the wheel alignment place? Did they check castor and camber angles?

Note, its cheaper to replace the complete lower arms rather than just the bushes, but some on here have successfully pressed old bushes out and new ones in.

[shanegtr]

My D3 wont self centre from full lock either. There's a point in the steering angle, somewhere around 3/4 I found where the self centring stops

[josh.huber]

Hey mate, the turning circle in these cars is so tight that they will lock like Shane said and stay on the stops. It's real bad for tyre wear but great for getting into a car park. Nothing to be worried about.

[ramrod]

Thanks Eric. No obvious noises. Will get MR auto to check it out next service. I had the alignment done at Jack Beedhams $88 no report, no feedback. Not very impressed but that is who MR use and they know more than I do

[ramrod]

Cheers Shane and Josh. It certainly is a weird feeling but as long as there is nothing wrong, I guess I will get used to it

[PeterOZ]

Thanks Eric. No obvious noises. Will get MR auto to check it out next service. I had the alignment done at Jack Beedhams $88 no report, no feedback. Not very impressed but that is who MR use and they know more than I do

I have used both and never again!!