Steering: - Droop

16vAndy · Mar 19th, 2009, 21:45

I've recently purchased a very smart S40 on a T plate with 30,000 on the clock.
I noticed from day one the steering wheel was slightly off centre to the right.
I checked the service history to discover the alignment had been altered 3 yrs previously along with two new front tyres.
I had the alignment checked at my employers workshop explaining I wanted the steering wheel back to centre.
Having had the work done I took the car for a test drive to discover the wheel drooped to the left when I removed my hands momentarily. I returned to my service manager & explained the wheel had been returned to the centre as required but now droops downwards to the left when you let go.

He advised me this to be normal as the tyres would be following the original wear from the previous setting & would need a few 100 miles to re-bed.

I will give him the benefit of the doubt & see what a few 100 miles does to improve, although I have my doubts that the job is correct.
Is this normal? The steering feels overly light anyway without this added discrepancy.

coupeboy · Mar 19th, 2009, 21:55

The steering feel on 96 to 2000 year cars is overly light. Volvo recognised this and improved feel from 2000 face lift on. If you don't believe your mechanic regarding the pull to the left (I'm not sure either) you could try putting your rear tyres on the front. Most roads have a left camber for water to run off so unless you're testing in say, the middle lane of a motorway you'll always get a left drive when you take your hands off.

apollo · Mar 19th, 2009, 22:02

Unless your tyres are incredibly worn or you are on a very high road camber he is talking the preferbial bo==ox. The steering wheel should move slightly due to the camber but not drop significantly to one side or the other. Correct wheel alignment kit should always be used and these days that should be a lazer set up. Be prudent, ask them to explain to you what they did as it is after all your car and your safety you are concerned with. If in doubt always err on the side of caution. A second opinion from a decent garage should cost you nothing for there opinion. Anyone who wants to charge you to have a look......drive away albeit slightly to the left!

16vAndy · Mar 20th, 2009, 18:12

Yes I agree with all the camber following stuff & yes it does follow this as normal but the steering wheel exaggerates it as though it has a 5Ib weight attached to the left hand side lol, the steering is really light though & follows virtually every crevice in the road, not used to that at all. I'll continue to monitor it then take it back.

16vAndy · Mar 31st, 2009, 18:41

Hi
I eventually returned my volvo to the workshop & insisted it was test driven. The service manager agreed something was amiss & swapped the front wheels with the rear.
The difference is amazing!!!! Feels like a new car & does exactly as it should, no pull, no wander, steering wheel spot on.
The tyres that were replaced during the previous wheel alignment must have been cheap tat & have worn terribly with the previous incorrect setting.
I now enjoy driving the volvo more than I did....... RESULT!

Mar 19th, 2009, 21:45	#1
16vAndy New Member Last Online: Nov 17th, 2009 19:17 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burton on Trent	Droop I've recently purchased a very smart S40 on a T plate with 30,000 on the clock. I noticed from day one the steering wheel was slightly off centre to the right. I checked the service history to discover the alignment had been altered 3 yrs previously along with two new front tyres. I had the alignment checked at my employers workshop explaining I wanted the steering wheel back to centre. Having had the work done I took the car for a test drive to discover the wheel drooped to the left when I removed my hands momentarily. I returned to my service manager & explained the wheel had been returned to the centre as required but now droops downwards to the left when you let go. He advised me this to be normal as the tyres would be following the original wear from the previous setting & would need a few 100 miles to re-bed. I will give him the benefit of the doubt & see what a few 100 miles does to improve, although I have my doubts that the job is correct. Is this normal? The steering feels overly light anyway without this added discrepancy.

Mar 19th, 2009, 21:55	#2
coupeboy Senior Member Last Online: Oct 1st, 2019 08:50 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Preston	The steering feel on 96 to 2000 year cars is overly light. Volvo recognised this and improved feel from 2000 face lift on. If you don't believe your mechanic regarding the pull to the left (I'm not sure either) you could try putting your rear tyres on the front. Most roads have a left camber for water to run off so unless you're testing in say, the middle lane of a motorway you'll always get a left drive when you take your hands off.

Mar 19th, 2009, 22:02	#3
apollo Member Last Online: Sep 8th, 2009 15:14 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: fleet	Unless your tyres are incredibly worn or you are on a very high road camber he is talking the preferbial bo==ox. The steering wheel should move slightly due to the camber but not drop significantly to one side or the other. Correct wheel alignment kit should always be used and these days that should be a lazer set up. Be prudent, ask them to explain to you what they did as it is after all your car and your safety you are concerned with. If in doubt always err on the side of caution. A second opinion from a decent garage should cost you nothing for there opinion. Anyone who wants to charge you to have a look......drive away albeit slightly to the left!

Mar 20th, 2009, 18:12	#4
16vAndy New Member Last Online: Nov 17th, 2009 19:17 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burton on Trent	Yes I agree with all the camber following stuff & yes it does follow this as normal but the steering wheel exaggerates it as though it has a 5Ib weight attached to the left hand side lol, the steering is really light though & follows virtually every crevice in the road, not used to that at all. I'll continue to monitor it then take it back.

Mar 31st, 2009, 18:41	#5
16vAndy New Member Last Online: Nov 17th, 2009 19:17 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burton on Trent	Hi I eventually returned my volvo to the workshop & insisted it was test driven. The service manager agreed something was amiss & swapped the front wheels with the rear. The difference is amazing!!!! Feels like a new car & does exactly as it should, no pull, no wander, steering wheel spot on. The tyres that were replaced during the previous wheel alignment must have been cheap tat & have worn terribly with the previous incorrect setting. I now enjoy driving the volvo more than I did....... RESULT!

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