Steering symptoms - Your advice please...

[pap11y]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1999 1.8 with bilsteins and different springs.

The car handles fine and I can really appreciate it through corners. Manually pushing down on the suspension from outside the car shows it is working and has not failed.

The issue: When I go through a corner at speed and I hit potholes or bumps, it feels like sh*t. Through the steering wheel it feels like the steering is bouncing around all over the place. The strange thing is if there are no bumps on the road the handing is perfect.

I noticed the steering rack looks like it has some sort of leak (I noticed moisture around it and it looks to be leaking).

Outside of a suspension specialist (which is pending funds) can you suggest tests I can do to isolate what is causing this?

Thanks in advance,

Pierre

[RJ45]

Hi Pierre,
I'm no expert, but your situation sounds familiar what I've experienced.
Sounds like a problem from the rear suspension.

Check the rear lower shock bolts to see if loose!
Use a 17mm socket to see if they can be turned easily.
If so, you could have a captive nut that is loose and once that occurs the bolt could snap.

Also worth checking your wheel nuts, in case someone tried to "borrow" a wheel.
Sadly there are people that don't ask. Yes, it's happened to me

Do you notice any clunks over speed humps or when taking a driveway at an angle?
Others on here may be able to offer more precise analysis if you give more details.
Or if you're in Sydney, just take it to Heasmans when funds allow.

[olboy]

Sounds like shocks to me
Almost any suspension will work on a smooth road
It's when you hit a rough patch or a pot hole that the suspension has to work
Check that everthing is tight first then look at shocks and springs
I reckon it's most likley shocks

olboy

[pap11y]

Yeah I think this is one for the experts.

I have installed and tuned suspension on bikes but I find cars (at this stage) too complicated when you have cambers etc to take into account.

Thanks guys I will check all stuff as recommended and will take it "relatively" easy until then

[Silvia]

Similar symptoms and forum experts suggested getting a new wheel alignment before new shocks.
Good 4 wheel alignment (for $85) later....problem solved!

[Okibi]

Have a really good look around your shocks, bushes, suspension perhaps get the torque settings and make sure everything is to spec.

I'd take it to your local suspension experts, if something has come loose then it may be dangerous.

[pap11y]

I think the suspension is actually ok and I am thinking that some bushes or ball joints are worn.

That being said, I am still thinking it could be a steering component problem (since I can see steering assembly looks like it has a leak).

Anyway,

Now to be patient for next pay day....

Thank everyone for your suggestions. It really could be any of them and until I have the knowledge to check it myself... Its over to the experts..

[Steampunk]

Has the track been modified at all with spacers or aftermarket knuckles?, and/or do you have really wide wheels?
If so then bump steer might be a factor as the scrub radius is changed significantly.