Skinner’s

Hello everyone

i have just just got a 2010 (60 plate) diesel Forester and have a steering issue

half of the time the car is fine the other time the steering feels light and twitchy

it is as if I have driven over a patch of ice or a wet man-hole cover

also when I go over a bump or pot hole the car wants to turn in that direction

there is no knocking noises or squeaks

one garage said the diff might be winding itself up and that having matching tyres might sort the problem. I was getting new tyres anyway so changed them and that has made little (if any) difference

has as anyone else had the same or similar issue and how was it put right?

thanks very much

hedgecutter

iTrader: (5)

A good start would be to have a 4 wheel alignment by a proper technician, who matches values each side rather than just getting them in the green zone. Subaru steering has been criticised for feeling too light, but I have found that a touch of front toe in greatly improves this. My car tramlined badly before getting a good alignment set up. Expect to pay up to £150 for a good, fussy set up with camber adjustment as well. And don't use cheap tyres.

Don Clark

Maybe an effect of the Electric Power steering or a problem with the power steering control module or system.

Skinner’s

Quick update

i have the 4 wheels aligned and they were toeing in slightly

had this adjusted and.......

no difference

i thought my car had hydraulic power steering (mainly because there is a reservoir)?

Don Clark

What is the applied model code as shown on the VIN plate?

Smithys STI

iTrader: (1)

My guess is the front lower arm bushes but the front small Bushes not the usual rear ones.
I've replaced a few recently and as you say it's like driving on ice when turning.

These ones.

siluro

So the garage missed this. I am following this thread on another forum. I presumed this had been checked before wheel alignment. Hope you solved for him.

Skinner’s

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions especially the photos

the car is in the local garage on the 3rd and ill let you all know what they say

thanks and have a good new year

Skinner’s

Got the car back yesterday and the mechanic said.......

he he could find nothing wrong

he checked (and I stood next to him in the inspection pit) everything suggested on this forum (and the other 2 I posted on).

there might be a very small amount of play on the rear bushes (one of them) but I’m yet to find out how much this would cost to replace.

he said it didn’t feel too bad to him

either I’m too sensitive(which would be a first) or this is how these foresters drive. Either way I don’t think this is the right car for me.

anyone want a Forester?

thanks for all of your help

Smithys STI

iTrader: (1)

inspection pit lol..did he at least jack it up so the weight was off the wheels before he checked for play??

Skinner’s

No he didn't

he has a vibration plate which shakes the car in all directions

Would that have hidden any issue?

Smithys STI

iTrader: (1)

I think you need to take it to a more modern workshop that at least has a car lift mate.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

For what poly costs id be looking at changing the bush mentioned earlier or both on the front arms, you would need another alignment but it is worth it,
Your old bushes are around 10 years old now and you didnt mention how many miles, but rubber does degrade over time,
If your local garage has a small press its a 2 hr job tops, and thats taking their time,
Bushes are around £60, dont waste your money on the ALK, its that get`s suggested, just poly both front and rear rubber bushes,
Job done.

Skinner’s

So the latest

a local garage could only find one fault

one of the bushes on the drivers side rear trailing arm had a small amount of play and he said that while it might not be the cause of the problem it would certainly not be helping. He said he would have to get the part from Subaru and would call with a price

after a couple of days and no word from the garage I called my local Subaru garage and inquired about the bushing. As he sounded like he knew what he was talking about I explained the situation so far. He offered to fit the bushes and then try to diagnose the fault.

i took the car over the next and had the work done while I waited. When he returned he told me that he had found the cause of my problem. It was...........

the steering rack

when they plugged the car into their SSM fault code reader is came back with

“found fault code 42 which is referring to can error. Most likely cause is the steering rack but possible for the controller to be faulty”

all in it it will cost £1278.75

now I have only owned the car for less than 2 months so I’m back to the car lot where it came from. They ‘should’ repair the car at their expense but they are already being awkward.

I'm taking it back on Monday 20th so fingers crossed

if anything else happens I’ll post it

thanks

Don Clark

Who'd have thought it.......

Skinner’s

Don, spot on.

Skinner’s

Latest so far

took the car back to the car lot on Monday and called this afternoon for an update

they told me the car was ready for collection

because they could not find a fault!

despite me taking in the diagnostic report from a Subaru dealership!

now the AA are involved and will hopefully get things done

lets see what’s next.........

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

Did you pay cash for the car?
If you paid via finance then id be straight on to them.

Skinner’s

It was a bank transfer

Skinner’s

So after almost 3 weeks of mediation we can’t reach a resolution

They will refund the asking price, minus £400 for usage. Which I would deem fair if the car did not have an airbag fault resulting in a manufactures recall, rendering the passenger seat useless and dangerous.

Any legal professionals out there that can help would be appreciated

Thanks very much