Why does my C5 want to drive in circles???

[UVG]

Can anyone offer any suggestions on what is happening with my car. It seems to want to drive in circles and is wearing the shoulders of my tyres at a frightening rate

So quick history...

I changed both the track rod ends and did the usual and went to get the tracking checked at a local tyre centre
They drove it down the road and said “its fine mate doesn’t need doing”

3mths later both of my new front tyres are showing wires on the inside edges

Took it to a different tyre centre got it tracked and two new tyres
Ever since it wants to drive in circles... once the steering wheel has passed about halfway to full lock it stops trying to straighten out and tries to tighten up to full lock
If I let go of the wheel it will drive round in circles going all the way to full lock as quick as possible and you can hear the tyres scrubbing
I took it back and they checked the tracking saying it was fine. Some months later and the outside edges of my tyres are really starting to wear. I’ve taken it to a third tyre centre who have confirmed that the tracking is correct (about -1mm toe out which from what i can find on the forum appears to be correct)

I have now replaced the wish bone bushes and the ball joints and if anything its worse!!

I’m stuck I don’t know what causing this so I’m open to suggestions
Anyone had something similar?

In short HELP!

Thanks for any suggestions

UVG

[Fake Concern]

I don't know the answer, but when My Golf GTI tried to swap ends on bends I had a full geometry set up done on it and it was like a different (better) car afterwards

[Paul-R]

I changed both the track rod ends and did the usual and went to get the tracking checked at a local tyre centre.
They drove it down the road and said “its fine mate doesn’t need doing”

There's your answer. If they didn't put it on a tracking machine of any kind then simple driving will not show up a minor maladjustment.

Take it somewhere else that'll do the job properly.

[wurlycorner]

I changed both the track rod ends and did the usual and went to get the tracking checked at a local tyre centre.
They drove it down the road and said “its fine mate doesn’t need doing”

There's your answer. If they didn't put it on a tracking machine of any kind then simple driving will not show up a minor maladjustment.

Take it somewhere else that'll do the job properly.

I agree with your statement about the first place (that was my first reaction) but if you read further on, since then, the OP has already done exactly what you say and has taken it to two further, different places...

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

just to eliminate any possible issue with the road wheels or tyres, switch them (the fronts) one side to t'other, see if the direction of 'pull' is reversed.

I suspect probably not in this case, but its a simple 'elimination' and one that's easy to overlook.

If the switch DOES change the direction of pull you'll be delighted to have found your culprit

[Paul-R]

I'm fairly sure that the original post wasn't as detailed as that otherwise I wouldn't have suggested it. I could be wrong and word blindness has set in - put it down to advancing decrepitude if that's the case.

I agree, try swapping the wheels.

A full geometry check as suggested by FC might show something up.

[UVG]

Hi Guys

thanks for the suggestions
i think the full geometry might have to be looked but with there been no adjustment available except the toe i didnt know if it would be a waste of money
but just to clarify the car will drive in a straight line if i'm driving in a straight line and let go its as straight as a die
but once i start turning past about half way (in either direction) it just wants to tighten up to full lock
on my dads car it doesnt matter where you are lock to lock if you let go of the steering wheel it tries to straighten up
on mine the wheel tries to straighten up till you are about half lock then it tries to tighten up
so you reach a point where you are holding against the pressure to straighten up and suddenly that pressure reverses and you have to quickly compensate
sounds dangerous i know but as this is at slow speed when parking etc its not an issue...but its not right and its costing me tyres

cheers

UVG

[GiveMeABreak]

Are you sure this is not a power steering issue?
Try a bleed - costs nothing to try:
Put the car on the lowest suspension setting, engine running, then full lock left, then full lock right - do that a couple of times, then raise the car back to normal height.

You might want to check the LDS fluid level whilst it is on the low setting after 2 minutes to make sure it is below the 2 small marks.

[Hell Razor5543]

First, I suggest you check the LDS level. Drop the suspension down to her lowest level, take the cover off the tank (off side), and take the cap off the reservoir. You will see that there is a 'mesh' in the neck (see the link after this paragraph). The LDS fluid should be between the upper and lower gratings.

images/ext/4a2192107ccc7deb1334470c8e0914f8

Next I would try a full Citrobics session. Take the suspension through its full travel a few times (allowing a couple of minutes at each 'end' before going the other way, to allow the LDS to settle down), and a few lock to lock actions on the steering. Then check the LDS level again (just in case there was air in the system, and it now has been expelled).

[Stickyfinger]

When my rear radium arm bearings were going (in my Mk1)
It felt that it was "tightening" when I cornered. At first, I thought it was a steering problem as there was no "clack clack" from them ....my thinking is it could be understeering due to it being out of alignment at the rear when the car leans into a corner.

[moizeau]

My mates 2.8i capri did the same thing after he had the tracking done, tracking was fine, nut they adjusted the tracking without the steering being centralised , therefore it always pulled one way due to the power steering

[lexi]

Radium Arms? ...........I knew you worked in a hospital

[myglaren]

Marie Curie sells them

[Stickyfinger]

ohh bu44er.....

[CitroJim]

Radium Arms? ...........I knew you worked in a hospital

Marie Curie sells them

I never realised C5s were radioactive - what's their half-life?