Ever since I purchased my 68 plate R design in 2019, the steering has felt too sensitive. No matter what speed I'm driving, the steering is too light/sensitive. Also, imperfections in road surface alter direction of the front wheels (similar to tramlining), even painted lane markings take hold of the front wheels. Has anyone else experienced similar issues, or provide any advice about what could be causing the issue? (My car doesn't have adjustable speed dependant steering option).
Steering
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Yes, I get this too. 2018 R Design.
Thanks HP. I did notice the issue when I first took it out for a test drive, (presumed it was just the road surfaces near the dealership). It had a different set of wheels on the test drive, the dealer upgraded the wheels to sweeten the deal. So I can rule out tyres being the culprit. Altering pressure hasn't made any difference. Next step will be getting the tracking/alignment checked. Though another thing to point out, I'm not experiencing the usual issues associated with poor wheel alignment, there's no uneven tyre wear, car doesn't pull on level roads.
Willowbrae, have you had your tracking/alignment checked?
Willowbrae, have you had your tracking/alignment checked?
The problem was there even before the wheels where upgraded.
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Hi, the car was recently bought through the Volvo Selekt scheme so I'm assuming that would have been part of the 150 point check. Saying that, they managed to give us a car with the wrong locking wheel nut.
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183 Posts
I'd be looking at tyres but you say they have been changed.
Mine is quite sensitive to camber changes and gives the appearance of too much toe out. An alignment check found nothing wrong. A couple more PSI has made a big improvement.
Mine is quite sensitive to camber changes and gives the appearance of too much toe out. An alignment check found nothing wrong. A couple more PSI has made a big improvement.
It is allegedly a common sensation with the V40. Local main dealer and independent were not surprised when I mentioned it.
I had it checked by a recommended local place but no improvement. I then had it done via the local Volvo dealer along with the annual service. They reported some adjustment necessary. It did make a difference but it still is quite sensitive. It rides perfectly though so I guess it is a function of the assured handling of the V40?
@Old engineer. What pressures are you running on what size tyre please?
I had it checked by a recommended local place but no improvement. I then had it done via the local Volvo dealer along with the annual service. They reported some adjustment necessary. It did make a difference but it still is quite sensitive. It rides perfectly though so I guess it is a function of the assured handling of the V40?
@Old engineer. What pressures are you running on what size tyre please?
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183 Posts
225/50 17 V.
I run the fronts at 38 (normal is 35F / 33R). They have an ECO setting at 38/38 so not a problem.
I run the fronts at 38 (normal is 35F / 33R). They have an ECO setting at 38/38 so not a problem.
Directional tyres are renown for tram lining.
If your tyre has a solid centre band of rubber it will tram line.
These tyres are best to use for drifting as they have a stiffer sidewall as will so exaggerating the tram lining.
Get some cheaper tyres.
Road camber will also affect steering. The camber setting on your car is changed whether it is LH or RH drive.
Camber is only an average setting ideal for one road camber. Every road has a different camber.
Need to increase your speed, won't notice the light steering as you will be having more fun in your R Design
If your tyre has a solid centre band of rubber it will tram line.
These tyres are best to use for drifting as they have a stiffer sidewall as will so exaggerating the tram lining.
Get some cheaper tyres.
Road camber will also affect steering. The camber setting on your car is changed whether it is LH or RH drive.
Camber is only an average setting ideal for one road camber. Every road has a different camber.
Need to increase your speed, won't notice the light steering as you will be having more fun in your R Design
I'm sure my issue is not caused by the tyres or wheels. I test drove another V40 R design (T2, but same year) with these wheels and tyres before they where fitted to my car, the steering on that car was more solid.Directional tyres are renown for tram lining.
If your tyre has a solid centre band of rubber it will tram line.
These tyres are best to use for drifting as they have a stiffer sidewall as will so exaggerating the tram lining.
Get some cheaper tyres.
Road camber will also affect steering. The camber setting on your car is changed whether it is LH or RH drive.
Camber is only an average setting ideal for one road camber. Every road has a different camber.
Need to increase your speed, won't notice the light steering as you will be having more fun in your R Design
Got the car booked in at the main dealer in a few weeks.
The main dealer service department were less than helpful when I phoned the other day. They suggested altering the adjustable steering force; when I told them my car does not have that option fitted, there was silence on their end of the phone. Anyway, I've booked it in to check the steering, but the conversation with the service department has left me with no confidence they're interested in taking the issue on board.
Took the car into the volvo dealer to check steering etc, and they say the car is steering as it should. No loose components or faults, and 4 wheel alignment done...
The courtesy car given to me was an identical model and mileage, yet the steering was acceptable. I really don't know what to do next. My only option is to get rid of the car, and I honestly don't want another volvo. As far as I'm concerned there is definitely something wrong with the car causing this problem with the steering.
It is frustrating and tiring to drive. Even the most minor road imperfection cause the steering wheel to move. My issue is not that the front wheels respond exactly to the steering wheel, which I agree is a sign of assured driving; the problem I have is the front road wheels change direction according to the road surface, and pulls the steering wheel too.
The courtesy car given to me was an identical model and mileage, yet the steering was acceptable. I really don't know what to do next. My only option is to get rid of the car, and I honestly don't want another volvo. As far as I'm concerned there is definitely something wrong with the car causing this problem with the steering.
It is frustrating and tiring to drive. Even the most minor road imperfection cause the steering wheel to move. My issue is not that the front wheels respond exactly to the steering wheel, which I agree is a sign of assured driving; the problem I have is the front road wheels change direction according to the road surface, and pulls the steering wheel too.
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108 Posts
I got the same issue on my MY2015 D4, it was not that bad but not as good as I wanted it to be, but after a year my steering rack broke and got a new one installed by volvo. It drove very well but after 1 week of getting it back I stupidly drove over a yellow parking lot curb. Steerinh wheel off center and drove really bad. I got a (hunter) alignment done and stil it drives not good at al, same issues as you described. Everything looks fine, maybe its due to bad struts/shocks.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G965F met Tapatalk
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G965F met Tapatalk
2 months and I'm still no wiser what's causing this issue, and along with my clutch problem (another post), I'm looking to move away from volvo ownership. This v40 really is horrible to drive.
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108 Posts
well i must admit, my car was way way better after i got the new steering rack, but then i hit that curb that fucked it up. what rims/tire combo are you driving?
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