So I've been trying to eek out the source of an acute-onset of sloppy steering that has recently surfaced in my MCS. I initially thought it was a RSB problem because I had some suspension-related squeaking in the back of the car, but everything there proved solid. After doing some searching, it sounded like it could also be my front control arm bushings, so I checked those out this weekend... However, they both look absolutely mint - Its my understanding that they usually look pretty shot if they are bad, no?

 

Did you recently switch from RunFlats to non-RFTs?

There's a reason that a few of us (me included) actually like RunFlat tires... their stiffer sidewall gives razor-sharp turn-in. Non-runflats flex more, so they feel more mushy... even though they often have a higher grip at the limit (due to softer rubber). I wouldn't argue for runflats on the track... but for street driving, I love 'em.

Just a thought. Your steering problem may be something completely different, but I wanted to mention it.

 

No (recent) change in tires, but I follow you're logic. When I changed over from summers to winters a few months back, the difference was quite apparent. For that reason, the very first thing that I checked was tire pressure, since the response of the car feels somewhat like a very, VERY soft sidewall, but they're actually 2-3psi over spec.

 

I had my orginal bushing's for 60K miles , looked fine , totally shot !
Wandered alot on the road but really showed when pushed in corner's.
I could feel the tires buck and scramble for tracsion.
Seem's like most people get about 40-50K out of them max. , seen them bad at 25K before.
Could be inner ball joint's ?, but there beefy and usauly last. Outer's are pretty strong too.

 

Is there any play in the wheel bearings or steering rack?

 

Steering-rack slop was the next thing on my list to check when I get a chance. As far as the control arm bushings go, I mean, the car tracks normally and still corners exceptionally well... It's just that I have much less steering feel while doing it. The only time the whole chassis feels sloppy is when I do a quick left-right flick of the wheel - In that case, the rear of the car feels sort of disconnected from the front, like there's a noticeable delay in response that never previously existed. Again, it feels a lot like low tire pressures do.

Perhaps driving over exceptionally rough roads can cause the sudden onset of an issue like this? The damn road that leads to my neighborhood has some kind of sub-surface drainage issue and recently turned into something of a rock-crawling course. Every time I have to go down it I can't help but feel it has contributed in some way...

 

i had a similar problem. brought my car in for 75k service and during the safety inspection they saw my passenger front side wheel bearing was bad. not a bad fix at $300 at a dealer. car tracks much better now and is less noisy on the road at speed. gonna check my bushings next, 74k on them.

 

It is unlikely, but the fact that you say it still has the same cornering ability but is just less responsive sounds like what happens when you disconnect the front sway bar on these cars. If the road is as bad as you say it is possible that one of your sway bar drop-links got messed up, although it is doubtful.

Wheel bearings and steering rack are where I would look next.

 

74K on the original rubber bushings

Yep, they should be gone by now. Get Powerflex bushings!

 

How about worn out [or even loose] ball joints?

 

Nah, had a busted one a few months back - this feels different.