Did a search on this, but only found stuff on rattles coming from the steering, which I suffer from only when going over those 'cobbled' speed bumps or REALLY bumpy roads....

Anyhoo, basically the problem is this: there is a bit of play in the steering when pointing straight ahead. Sometimes it feels as if the car is drifting off-centre, but the wheel is still pointing straight ahead. It's otherwise fine - went for some 'spirited' driving through the ranges near where I live and the car handled nicely for a stocker - steering feel around corners is great - reasonably tight and responsive. But straight ahead it's like a boat. I'm thinking the rattle in the steering column over bumps will have something to do with this as well. Will take it in to get looked at soon, but want to get a bit of an idea about what might be happening first.

Anybody else have the same/similar issues? What was done to fix the problem?

my handling is great when im turning... when im in a straight line, my handling is ****house. im constantly holding the steering wheel off centre to keep it straight, but if i go over a bump in the road the direction i need to hold it to keep it in a straight line will change.. if im at a standstill and im not holding the wheel and put my foot down, the steering wheel spins out of control and its very scary... hoping a wheel alignment/balance will help

DomenEK - have a look at your lower control arm bushes.

Alphabet - get a wheel alignment.

Alphabet - get a wheel alignment.

would my wheels being misaligned cause the change in the direction of the pull? if that makes sense

Interesting, I have major problems with rattling and going over speedhumps shudders the whole car. Overall ride quality is crap

I have changed tyres and shocks trying to fix it, strut tops are in good condition, so I am leading towards lower control arms being the culprit in mine too.

How much should one expect to pay to get the bushes replaced?

would my wheels being misaligned cause the change in the direction of the pull? if that makes senseYes. Mine never torque steered until the alignment got thrown out by some huge potholes. Just had an alignment done yesterday, and there's no torque steer and no traction issues (with 19s) now.

would my wheels being misaligned cause the change in the direction of the pull? if that makes sense

Direction of pull?

When your wheel alignment is out, you tend to have to hold the steeringwheel offcentre to keep the car straight.

Not holding onto the steering wheel and flooring it in a FWD car will make the wheel turn, though yours could be another issue alltogether.

That being said, I'd first get a wheel alignment.

yeah, like ill have to hold it one way... then ill go over a bump and the steering wheel will move and pull in the other direction

one of the guys on here is a manager at a place down south, have to take it in sometime

DomenEK - have a look at your lower control arm bushes.

Alphabet - get a wheel alignment.
Had the car up on a hoist when I first got it, inspected by a lady at work's husband who's a licenced mechanic.
Took me through the whole inspection with him showing me everything. The only things we could find that needed attention were the driver's side CV boot is starting to show some cracks and a couple of bolts were a bit loose. All the bushes were reasonably new, or still in good condition.

I'm going to get an alignment and balance and thought I may as well get a suspension safety chack done as well, hoping that while it's in there they might be able to shed some light on the issue....

Check for uneven tyre wear, thats a good indication of whether the wheel alignment (and toe-in etc) is correct or not.

CV boot starting to show cracks? CV joints may well need replacing by now.

As for loose bolts - ah, which bolts were loose? I assume they are now tight?

Could check your tie rod ends for play.

Just thought of another thing - universal joints in the steering column could also give you 'play' in the steering with the car going straight....

my steering is quite a lot like urs twlvlksjstlky(yay for copy and past lol) but i know i need a wheel alignment and i have some slight damage to my sway bar since my run in with the gutter a while back. but before then i could drive down a straight road no worries without any correction or even holding the wheel. so id go with Ers on this get a wheel alignment and see if it fixes it, if it doesn't thats when uv got problems

Checked tie rods and tie rod ends?

Check your front stabiliser bar bushes. If these are worn you will get a knocking noise every time the front suspension hits a bump.

Cheers

if im at a standstill and im not holding the wheel and put my foot down, the steering wheel spins out of control and its very scary... hoping a wheel alignment/balance will help
That's called torque steer. Normal for powerful FWD cars. A balance or alignment won't fix that coz it's not a wheel or suspension problem.

When my Rada was boosted the car would change lanes by itself if i planted it off the line without holding the steering wheel lol