Bouncy bouncy

[Tony V]

One for the mechanics here possibly.

My Amethyst [Transit mk5 base] has a rather disconcerting habit of 'wandering' all over the carriageway unless I concentrate on the steering at all times. I'm constantly having to correct to stay straight and true.

Ok I know it's not going to be as light and precise as the car, and that road surface, side winds and all the rest will also have an effect, but I've taken all that into consideration and have decided that there is 'something else' at play.

To my untutored mind I have thought of: steering box problems contributing to the vagueness; suspension playing up; shox needing replacement. It breezed through the MOT last September with only one recommendation- a slight play in the nearside front wheel bearing, but not enough to need immediate replacement.

Advice from those who know please- before I embark on my 'big trip' in the spring.

 

[ChrisSue]

Is this mainly in lane 1? Possibly caused by the "tramlines" caused by HGVs

 

[David and Sally]

Maybe air suspension will help?

 

[Minxy]

We had similar issues with an ex-ambulance we bought to convert, I'll have to ask hubby if he can remember what it was it wasn't anything major though.

 

[airwave]

To my untutored mind I have thought of: steering box problems contributing to the vagueness; suspension playing up; shox needing replacement. It breezed through the MOT last September with only one recommendation- a slight play in the nearside front wheel bearing, but not enough to need immediate replacement.

Personally , i would look into the steering idler arm . This may have play in it , yet is not an mot item ( go figure ) . It will sometimes show as worn wheel bearings .
Lift the front of the vehicle up , but don't remove the wheel . grab the wheel in the quarter to three position and try rocking it toward and away from you in much the same way you check the wheel bearings . If you detect play , check the six o'clock position to see if the wheel bearings are the cause . If no play is found , have someone observe the idler arm while you rock the wheel again in the quarter to three position again .
Just to be clear , the idler arm is the rod that attaches to the wheel hub from the steering rack . It may have play at the steering rack end , and be in need of replacement . Normally this arm is available separately , so stop thinking you may need a new rack .

Just as an edit , my 2000 duke is as light and precise as a car , so i see no reason why yours shouldn't be .

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[GeoffnDee]

Are you running with the correct tyre pressures ?

 

[NicM]

Have you had the tracking checked? Toe out can course it.

 

[glenn2926]

Check tracking, check trackrod ends, check tyre pressures, check wheel bearings. These are easy and cheap to fix so start with these.

 

[Stealaway]

My Amethyst [Transit mk5 base] has a rather disconcerting habit of 'wandering' all over the carriageway unless I concentrate on the steering at all times. I'm constantly having to correct to stay straight and true.

How old are the tyres?
What make are the tyres?
Some tyres are notorious for tramlining.

This is assuming you have had all the steering joints checked

 

[GeoffnDee]

Another thing worth checking , that can cause this problem , is excessive play in the steering column to steering rack joint.

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[lynnian]

Whilst driving on a long clear straight road ideally with little or no traffic. lighly release your grip on the stearing wheel for a couple of seconds and see if you vear to one side (dont forget to tighten your grip before you veartoo far obviously). If it does you may be constantly fighting the tracking and possibly tow in . so this will nead adjusting. Mine did this and i was allways fighting itand adjusting. Since I had mine done driving has been a lot more relaxed.

 

[TheBig1]

bouncy bouncy (wallowing) or physically drifts side to side (wandering)

wallowing = suspension and tyres

wandering = steering

 

[Minxy]

Just asked hubby, it was just the tracking that needed setting-up properly.

 

[Tony V]

bouncy bouncy (wallowing) or physically drifts side to side (wandering)

wallowing = suspension and tyres

wandering = steering

deffo wandering. I took it down a gravel road in Kielder at some speed and the suspension and shox worked really well. off to the garage for a check up then

 

[Tony V]

double post