Strange Steering

[Damo]

Ok, a bit of a weird one and need some help.

Noticed the steering feeling a little odd recently.
I get the odd clonk through the front end when accelerating or braking.
Also, sometimes when I pull into a parking space or a driveway, the steering clonks when you turn the steering wheel from left to right whilst on the spot. Kind of feels like one of the wheels is hanging off (they aren't, the wheel bolts are tight). If I stand outsie of the car and turn the steering wheel while looking at the wheel, it seems to judder when going from lock to lock.

Any ideas?

 

[T7ODD]

Springs?

 

[Damo]

Hopefully not. I've got the SEATsport suspension kit on there which was fitted at around 55K miles. Car is now on 89K. Once on the move the car seems to handle well enough, just when parking up etc it kind of feels a bit loose (best I can describe it really)

I suspect it's the steering rack but I don't really know enough about this to be anywhere near certain.

 

[Damo]

Had the car checked out last night.

There are some markings on the anti-roll bar where it's been fouling against the chassis on the drivers side. On the passenger side it sits quite flush to the bracket but there's loads of clearance to the chassis. On the drivers side it pokes out beyond the bracket by about 15mm and there's only a couple of mm clearance between it and the chassis. It looks like it's either bent or it could just need the bushes replacing and then realigned.

Question: Has anyone suffered a bent anti-roll bar before?

I'm just finding it hard to believe that something so sturdy could be bent. I would've had to have hit something pretty major for this to happen, wouldn't you agree? Don't get me wrong, I've hit the odd pothole now again but is it likely to be bent?

Obviously I need to get it fixed but the problem I have is that SEAT will need to order this in specially (not a stock item). I don't want to go ahead and buy the whole kit and caboodle only to realise that once fitting, my existing anti-roll bar isn't bent at all.

Another take on this situation..........would it be worth buying an uprated anti-roll bar?

Your thoughts please.

 

[Damo]

Update....

Just had a completely new front anti-roll bar fitted (old one was bent).

Picking the car up this evening.

Will the the wheel alignment/tracking need to be re-done?

 

[Damo]

Anyone?

 

[Jonzy]

Yes, but the company fitting it shoud take care of it.

 

[Damo]

Cheers Jonzy.

I'll have to take it to a place on saturday as the garage that fitted it doesn't have wheel alignment facilties.

Ta.