Verso Steering Sensitive To Road

[Derek S]

We have a Verso 2.2d SR model since March 2009 (58 plate), ex demo. We're concerned about the steering. It seems to be very sensitive to the road surface to the point unless you are holding the steering wheel very tightly it will pull left or right when going over certain bumps etc - this is most noticable at low speeds. This is not something I've experienced with other cars.

Do others find this also or do you think there is a genuine problem with the car. I've had it back to the dealers once already having reported it pulling significantly in the direction of the road camber - it still pulls despite them saying they had adjusted the wheels.

Any suggestions - my only other thoughts is there is a problem with the actual pair/match of front wheels.

Thanks - finding this a very useful forum.

[hertsnminds]

Can't say I have noticed this on my Verso may be worth going back to the dealers and asking if you can test drive another car of similar spec to see if it behaves the same way as yours on the same roads.

[cabcurtains]

Ours does the same thing Derek, when we came back from hols and drove it for the 1st time in 14 days the front wheels seemed to be getting pulled around. I stopped and expected a flat tyre but there was nothing, the following day checking the tyre pressures showed nothing as they were normal.

I have put it down to a quirk, however on the next service or tyre replacement i will get the dreaded laser alignment and rebalance done and see if anything changes.

Are you on the original Dunlops still?

[Derek S]

Ours does the same thing Derek, when we came back from hols and drove it for the 1st time in 14 days the front wheels seemed to be getting pulled around. I stopped and expected a flat tyre but there was nothing, the following day checking the tyre pressures showed nothing as they were normal.

I have put it down to a quirk, however on the next service or tyre replacement i will get the dreaded laser alignment and rebalance done and see if anything changes.

Are you on the original Dunlops still?

Yep still in the original Dunlop Sports. I've heard these are not very good anyway and not a great match for the car and possibly the problem with the steering. I'm going to try and get a shot of another 58 plate 2.2D verso to see if it feels the same. I dont always get it and it seems to be certain roads/camber that shows it most.

When you noticed it are you saying it only did it briefly and then went back to behaving itself? even on the same bit of road where you noticed it?

[*Rich*]

It could just be because of the wide tyres fitted. It's tramlining, following contours in the road.

If it's more severe, could be alignment, worn suspension component, tyre pressures out of sync, etc

BTW, mine does it over some bumps, and when crossing white lines to overtake/pull in, the car definitely follows them and I have to give the steering a definite turn to get off them.

All pretty normal for wide tyres IME.

[cabcurtains]

I drive our Passat most of the time and that has much wider tyres (235/45/17) and it doesn't get pulled around as much, the other odd thing is it doesnt do it all the time. As i've said its a quirk to me and not worth worrying about.

[Anatoli]

This effect can often happen when the tyres have been made on a different process.

Try swapping over your front tyres left to right or maybe even do a complete swap around of front to rear. It usually solves the problem.