Hi, This happened to me on Saturday. Basically what happened is that the steering wheel started to shake, judder and feedback and the steering control seemed to begin to go (obviously I didn't wait to find out!). This happened twice, first time at around 55mph. I thought I'd blown a tyre but pulled over and gave it the once over and nothing evident. Perhaps optimistically I thought I might have hit something or hit a dodgy bit of road surface, so carried on (I know, I'm an idiot) Second time was a few minutes later, going around 70mph. Managed to quicky get onto the hard shoulder. Couldn't do anything but wait to be towed home. As it was dark when we got home the mechanic who came out couldn't really identify any issues (and after an hour and a half freezing my nuts off I just wanted to get a cup of tea!) so I've no idea what might have caused this. I've checked the hydraulic fluid but the level's still fine, beyond that I'm clueless. Have noticed a bit of creaking or knocking from the rear passenger side over the last couple of weeks when taking sharp/long bends so wonder if this is a precursor to what happened. Was wondering if there were any suggestions before I take into a garage so I know roughly what I'm letting myself in for?! Thanks

With a sudden onset at variable speed, we can rule out the usual wheel out of balance problem.

Check the driveshaft balance weights are properly attached, and that the brake rotors (discs and drums) aren't cracked as a first move. It's all visual checks so nice and cheap to do, even if not the cause.

Also, when you're doing that, look at the tyres, and see if there's any evidence of them being out of round, or the sidewalls chunking, cracking or bulging.

Ken, Thanks so much for your reply. I'm a pretty useless (& technically ignorant) mechanic so all I've managed is to check the brake discs - I just popped the hub-caps off and had a butchers with a torch. I can't see anything that looks out of the ordinary i.e. no cracks or anything. Tyres are fine too and three of them are less than six months old anyway. RE: the driveshaft balance weights - I'm presuming this requires me to get under the car but I've no idea what I'd be looking for!? Any help appreciated on this one This has allowed me to identify the knocking noise mentioned - rear exhaust bracket has come off - so thanks Kwikfit! Lasted all of 18 months :(

could also be more major mechanical stuff, eg:

sudden failure of either bottom ball joint or rubber bushes on lower suspension arms,

failure of track rod end balljoints,

track rod end locknut missing or loose causing rod ends to slowly unscrew themselves (this has happened to me before!!!),

I came across a similar problem on a Favorit some years ago. It was a CV joint that was partially locking up, this was more noticeable when the steering wheel was turned slightly. The cure was to unclip the gaitor and re-grease the joint (you need a specific type of grease for these joints) and work it in.

Thanks for all your suggestions - I really appreciate it - however I think they all point to issues that would be way beyond me and as I need to get the thing on the road I'm off to the garage. Having some ideas beforehand is really helpful tho, so thanks again everyone.

If I get any clear indication from the garage I'll let you know what the issue is/was!