Play in steering

[petet66]

I have a 2005 2.0 HDi Berlingo which has developed what I can only describe as a "slackness" in the steering. The symptoms are:

When cornering it feels as though I have to constantly adjust the wheel rather than turning smoothly into a corner and holding the wheel still. The wheel feels like it wants to strighten, even at quite low speed.

When turning the wheel it feels as though there is a slight delay before the wheels begin to respond which means that I end up turning the wheel too far and have to turn it back a little as the car ends up turning too tight a curve.

Driving in a straight line, especially at speed on a motorway it feels as though there is a degree of oscillation in the wheels, again requiring constant adjustments.

These adjustments aren't huge, I'm not swerving all over the road, and passengers don't report feeling the sensations it's only me as the driver who is experiencing them. But from a car that used to feel so solid in its steering and grip on the road there is a definite reduction in responsiveness and control. The car is going in for a service and check on the steering tomorrow and I'd be grateful for any pointers towards possible causes.

Thanks!

[crickleymal]

Tracking, possibly. It definitely affects my steering but makes mine twitchy in corners. Could also be a damaged tyre - they are at the right pressure I assume? Then we get out of my area of expertise (if I could be said to have one) but from what I've gleaned elsewhere it could be down to worn bushes (don't ask me to tell you which ones though).

[polar]

first point to look at is the steering column u/j's than check the track rod ends and bottom ball joints.

let us know how you get on with these checks before we go on to anything else.

[petet66]

Thanks for both your replies. I had the tracking done a couple of weeks ago and it had some (limited) effect but then it wasn't very far out. The tyres are both relatively new and the pressures etc are right.

I'll get the garage to check out the points you have raised Polar and then report back.

Thanks again :-)