E36 - 'juddering' when taking fast left-handers

[Funk]

Noticed this happening last night on the way back home from an evening out. Taking a left-hand bend at +50mph, the car feels like it's juddering or skipping a little - like a 4-wheel drift but not (it still grips). Right-hand bends are fine, it feels like it has plenty of grip. I did wonder initially if it was a cruddy surface but after testing a few times, it seems to be doing it fairly consistently in different corners.

I know it's not much of a description but I'm wondering if anyone has experience this or could give me pointers as to where to start? I'm guessing it could be rear suspension bushes, wheel bearing or possibly diff-related? Tyre pressures are all fine (first obvious thing to check).

It makes the car feel a bit unsettled into corners and I'd like to fix whatever's wrong. Any ideas?

Edit: I don't think it's wheel balance either, it's fine in a straight line or turning right.

Edited by Funk on Sunday 22 June 13:05

[Funk]

Cheers guys, the fronts were replaced last year so it wouldn't surprise me if the rears need doing.

[Funk]

Will check the dampers but it drives fine at lower speeds and in a straight line and right handers. Certainly not undriveable..?

[Funk]

Ok, finally had a chance to get it up on a ramp and the n/s front shock is toast.

A £300 bill I could really do without...!

[Funk]

Of course I will be. I was just commenting that it's the n/s one that's gone.

[Funk]

Booked in to be done, although the garage did mention that it's possible it could be the control arms on the front - what's the usual lifespan of them?

[Funk]

Thanks Phuzzy, will do.

[Funk]

It was indeed just the dampers. New ones fitted today and the car feels so different it's unreal. I guess that as they wore slowly I didn't really notice.

Everything else underneath is fine which is good news.

[Funk]

Mine was done last year! £80 for the rad so can't complain. I also changed the water pump for a metal version and replaced the (disintegrated) coolant float sensor at the same time. She had new oil, filters and plugs within the last 6-9 months or so, so all being well nothing else 'pending'.

The only thing I've noticed driving today is that the car seems to want to pull to the left. Not sure whether it just needs realigning but it didn't do it before the shocks were changed. I'll let things settle in a bit and get it back on the Hunter again once it's had a chance to bed down a bit.

[Funk]

Ok, had it on the Hunter today and it's within a gnat's whisker if being spot on. Tyre pressures checked but it's still veering left a lot. Doesn't do it all the time which leads me to think it's just following camber and ruts. Are they known for this? I'm certain it was nothing like this bad before.

On the plus side the ride is excellent again.

Edited by Funk on Thursday 7th August 02:39

[Funk]

I'm wondering whether I'm being a sensitive sausage and this is actually how it's supposed to be... As I say, it doesn't do it all the time on different roads (although on the roads I drive daily to work it's particularly noticeable).

Haven't had a chance to 'jiggle the spokes' yet but when the car was up on the ramp we had a very close look at all the bushes and they appear to be in excellent condition; certainly the car feels taut with no play or slack in the steering and suspension. I guess I just wasn't expecting it to turn into a camber-hunter overnight - it was fine before the shocks were done so I'm guessing it might just be supposed to be this way.

Locknut, I do have directional tread on the tyres (Hankook Ventus V12s) but I guess it couldn't hurt to swap them for a bit whilst the weather's mostly dry to test the theory. I'll have to try and get it up in the air again to do this.

Thanks for all your input on this folks, it's appreciated.

[Funk]

Ok, so a little thinking led me to realise that the pulling only occurs in the direction of the last direction of full lock, if that makes sense?

Turning out of my drive requires a big left input. The car then pulls to the left down the road. Turning a 90 degree right means the car then pulls to the right. I tested the theory in slow traffic tonight and can replicate it 100% of the time.

It's almost like the steering has a 'fulcrum' and pivots either side of it rather than centring after the wheel is straightened up. I'm guessing this means something else underneath isn't right, any ideas on what would cause this behaviour? As noted earlier, the Hunter says everything is aligned properly when stationary.