Forester - steering feels woolly

Forester - steering feels woolly

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PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,729 posts

241 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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My 2007 Forester has started to feel a bit woolly around corners - the steering feels a bit slack, and its not as precise as it used to be. A bit like there's too little air in the tyres - which are all good.

I'm guessing that some bushes are now worn - nothing has been touched in the suspension since it was built - but what are the likely culprits? Its coming up for its annual rego check, so might get it up on some ramps for a look, but a few handy hints up front would be great.

v8250

2,724 posts

210 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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Lee, this depends not so much on age of the Forester, but the mileage. How many miles? Logically, bushes do start to wear at 60k+ and if you're to change them it is worth upgrading...but, be careful not to over sharpen the steering/suspension as this will ruin the ride of a Forester. If you've standard suspension the usual is to upgrade the rear ARB at the same time. Also, Subaru's can be a little harsh on the steering fluid and this is rarely changed. Once bushes changed be sure to get correct geometry re-set...if you're needing new tyres do this post tyre fitting. PS if suspension needing looking at, how are the brakes...changed the brake fluid recently? Upgraded to st/st braided flexible's?

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,729 posts

241 months

Friday 6th March 2015
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Thanks for that lot. Car is not an XT, just an N/A 2.5 and has travelled about 85,000kms, but they've been generally tough kms - in, through and over the urban jungle, so I'm not surprised at bits wearing out. All fluids changed about 2 years ago, brakes seem fine, no real advantage to st/braided for me. I won't be stiffening or sharpening anything beyond the stock level - the car is primarily a family car that so far has absorbed everything thrown at it. Wheels are std 16" steelies with 215/65 tyres.

I'll have a look when I get it on a ramp, presumably any wear will show as some sort of excess play - its been a while since I've looked at suspension stuff.

adingley84

337 posts

161 months

Friday 6th March 2015
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Forester 2.5XT owner here. I had droplinks replaced at 92k miles due to kock over unevan ground and fresh rubber at 100k miles. The new rubber (All 4x Kumho Solus KH17) transformed the feel of the car. Much more direct and enjoyable

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,729 posts

241 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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New tyres fitted this morning - back to being a fun car again! No suspension probs noted. The old ones were still a way off the wear blocks, but I'm putting it down to the urban work the car does - potholes, steering at a standstill, speed bumps and so on.

adingley84

337 posts

161 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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PomBstard said:
New tyres fitted this morning - back to being a fun car again! No suspension probs noted. The old ones were still a way off the wear blocks, but I'm putting it down to the urban work the car does - potholes, steering at a standstill, speed bumps and so on.
Great to hear all sorted. A nice resolution to the thread!

wack

2,103 posts

205 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
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I didn't realise what a huge difference 4 wheel tracking can make, I thought my impreza was good but after tracking it's amazing, the back wasn't out much but the front was miles out,

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,729 posts

241 months

Friday 13th March 2015
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I had the tracking done at the same time - front was only a little out. Its the first time I ever noticed the difference in the steering with new tyres though.