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[Ryan Hegarty]

Hi all - I have been having a wandering problem with the 3.2 V6 since I got it, I have checked the idler and the only play I notice is in the front wishbone bushings, could this be causing it to wander - it seems like there is play in the steering (it's like driving the old Massey), it's got so bad now that the car wanders from one side of the road to the other and concentration and steering correction is the only thing preventing an accident. 

[hoofing it]

more than likely to be play in the wishbones best to replace them.
also ive noticed that on certain roads trucks have caused ridges and when I had 195x15s on it wasn't as noticable as when the 235x17s were on :-?

[Matchless]

Get someone to wiggle the steering wheel whilst you feel all the joints (engine running). Any play in the ball joints is fairly obvious if you put your hand over the joint.
The idler tends to move vertically if the bush is worn.
Wishbone bushes usually give symptoms under brakeing long before you notice steering wander.
Is there any free play in the steering at straight ahead?  if so you could try the adjuster on the top of the steering box, hold the centre torx screw while undoing the lock nut (dont use a ratchet on the torx, use something rigid such as a t-bar) then tighten the screw 1/8 of a turn only. If this improves things, try another 1/8th turn but if there is any hint of stiffness or reluctance to self centre then reverse the adjustment.

[Ryan Hegarty]

Thanks for your reply  - I'll get them replaced and fingers crossed that will sort it.

[tidla]

if the track rods are all ok then incorrect wheel alignment can cause wandering. as quoted above, suspension and steering need to be serviceable before wheel alignment alterations.

[jb]

best to get it 4 wheel aligned to check geom. as wisbone usually only cause this under braking - I used hursts high q in coleraine and the check was 25 notes,you only really want 1.10 neg camber max regardless of what the green indicator says (which from memory is up to 2.00 degrees)