steering 'bump' steer advice

Chaps, one thats puzzling me.

Every now and again as i hit a bump or rut at speed with the front left wheel, while steering left, i get a sharp feedback through the steering wheel that i have to correct, its like the bump is 'making' you steer left slightly more.

I cant describe it, and I cant seem to replicate it. It doesnt seem to be getting worse and I cant recall when it started it or if its always done it.

Things I have done or things i checked for wear:

- new steering damper about 2 years ago, an armstrong standard one. nothing fancy
- new steering drop arm and ball joint about 2 years ago
- new bushes all round about 2 year ago
- new front shock and associated stuff about a year ago, standard items
- swivel preload checked and all ok
- steering rack slightly worn but i have adjusted this out
- wheels arent buckled etc and i have had them rebalanced
- new drag ling ball joints x 3 about 2 years ago - all look and feel fine
- wheel bearings done this summer, one slightly loose so nipped up and all fine.

one thing i can think of is that it is a 'situational fluke' where it hit a rut/bump at the the right speed, with the steering at the right angle with tall skinny tyes and it produces that effect.

Annoyingly i have driven it all weekend and not had it happen once, even down roads where its happened before!

Anyone any ideas on what to look for next if anything?

thanks

Ed

oh and all tye pressures are okay

Panhard bushes.

Flossie said:

Panhard bushes.

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Pretty much new, with less that 5000miles on them (and probably less than that actually) Super-pro polyurethane ones

I did think that, all looked and felt okay when under it earlier. Might try and mount the go pro underneath and see if I can reproduce the effect and catch the panhards moving on video though.

Without starting the engine wobble the steering wheel left/right.(small fast movement that takes play out and twitches the wheels a bit)
If it's a panard bush,track rod etc it will show. Look for track rods moving up/down

Does help if there's 2 of you

I would check lower steering drop arm also

Reason you also do it no engine running you may hear a noise

Has one of your balls become dry and sticking..

Try avoiding potholes.

Col

I'd get the front end up on stands with the steering pointing left, disconnect the steering damper and have a good poke about with a lever underneath. There must be some movement if the force is overcoming the steering damper and moving the steering wheel.

mick the builder said:

Has one of your balls become dry and sticking..

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Both mate, been like that years

Okay thanks chaps will do the wiggle test!

Swivels are okay, fluid level wise. I topped replaced the ‘one shot’ a couple of months back

Might be worth checking the shocks even though they may be fairly new,I had a newish one go duff and the first symptom was what you have.

tottot said:

Might be worth checking the shocks even though they may be fairly new,I had a newish one go duff and the first symptom was what you have.

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cheers matey, I was wondering whether that might be worth doing, i might also pull off the steering damper and check it out.

zeaphod said:

I'd get the front end up on stands with the steering pointing left, disconnect the steering damper and have a good poke about with a lever underneath. There must be some movement if the force is overcoming the steering damper and moving the steering wheel.

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yep, good plan, would the steering damper give these symptoms if it was failed and not actually 'damping'?

Don't know... I don't have 1

Hicap phill said:

Don't know... I don't have 1

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i could take it off and see if it does it without, if it does its not the damper at fault and i will dig further

i have go to the bottom of this, it was a combo of passenger side swivel preload and the steering box needed more wear adjusting out, i adjusted it not enough.
Order is resotred and it now doesnt feel sketchy to drive