Improving steering and handling

T

T2FFN

Senior member
 East Yorkshire
Right, I've noticed the car feels a little loose up front, the steering is too light and lacks any feel. I cannot drive without the Sport button turned on, as this helps make the steering feel more weighted and feel a little better, but I feel this can be improved as without it on, its just wollowy.

I know from the last visit to the garage the nearside lower wishbone needs replacing as its got a lot of play in it. With the wheel off the ground I could wobble it far too much. I plan to have this replaced, is it best to go OEM for the lower arm or is a pattern part just as good? Whats the price difference? Pattern from ebay is around £45...

At the same time, I'd like to polybush the front end, but know some have had complaints about harshness. Is it worth doing all bushes, front and rear? The car has around 90k miles so they may all benefit from being refreshed throughout.

I've been thinking, is there any benefit of replacing drop links or anything else at the same time? I dont think these 'degrade' so as long as in one piece is there any benefit to replace them when replacing the lower arm?

Anyone running full polybush and found it made a great difference?

Thanks
 
I have a fully polybushed front end, not the rear as theres really no point. I replaced the droplinks same time as there was a little play in them to. They have rubber inserts at each end that do loosen over time.

I dont find it to harsh at all, the car is stiff as it is, so the extremely marginal amount more that these bushes adds is practically negligable. They will last longer than standard and do make the car very nicely pointy on a smooth surface. But they do creak a bit if your doing a slow 3 point turn or such.

Get oem wishbones, all the above done and then a geo if you have the money. If after that your not happy then its tme for a new car :D
 
Thanks dreamer.

I guess the other question is, powerflex bushes or stick with OEM? I dont want it to creak, but I want it tight. I hear the OEM parts are actually very good and well designed. Any particular bushes that would be best poly rather than OEM?
 
I have a front end refresh on the cards sometime. Bit vague at speed on straight lines.
I'll probably go OEM wishbones. Will def do drop links and will remove my front poly bushes and go OEM. I hate them groaning on bumps, etc. and felt no real benefit just more harshness. I'd replace every bush inc arb while in bits as it's pointless doing all the labour and not everything at once.

Will get a Hunter full alignment done afterwards.
 
Seems different people have different experiences f power flexing.

I've done all round 100%... huge difference & improvement for me. Just remember to also cost camber & alignment into the price as it will change them after the replacements.
 
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