My 2006 fabia ambiente seems to have really numb steering - you can move the wheel quite a bit before any steering seems to happen and the wheel almost feels loose when driving in a straight line.

The car clunks when driving over potholes so im sure the bushings are worn but i am not entirely sure which ones. The console bushings were changed about 2 years (16,000 miles) ago, according to the MOT history

car also pulls to left (quite heavily on some roads), however i am led to believe some steering pull is normal???

 

Any suggestions as to what might improve these issues im having?

Without looking it's anyone's guess but seen a lot of wishbone bushes worn out now they are getting on.

Clunks going over road humps are shot bushes on the anti-roll bar.

 

I've gone through two bars + bushes up to the 40,000 mile point - possibly down to lots of high speed driving on motorways. Since the second time they were replaced no more problem - design/materials mod ? I have now done 60Ks

 

Similarly, console bushes on mine were replaced at about 45,000 because of steering wander, partcularly noticeable when trying to keep in-lane onmotorways. It was tight as  drum for the first few hundred miles after replacement, then a bit of slack crept in, but not as bad as it once was.

 

 

Nick

Edited 7 September, 20169 yr by Clunkclick

Check the tie rods & ends as well. Do you have any uneven tyre wear?

Worn drop links are a common cause of clunks/knocks over bumps but the whole suspension needs checking over.

i will have a look at the car at the weekend - what should i be looking out for in worn arb bushes?

I've looked at the front suspension and the drop links are definately loose so those will be replaced along with the front ARB bushes. Any idea on how difficult it is to replace them? i have the haynes manual although its a bit vague in that section.

Im going to replaced the track rod ends as well and get the tracking done as ive noticed the tyre wear to be uneven - heavily worn on inside edge only on both tyres

I've looked at the front suspension and the drop links are definately loose so those will be replaced along with the front ARB bushes. Any idea on how difficult it is to replace them? i have the haynes manual although its a bit vague in that section.

Im going to replaced the track rod ends as well and get the tracking done as ive noticed the tyre wear to be uneven - heavily worn on inside edge only on both tyres

 

All very easy work to do, just spanners and a ball joint splitter needed.

I have looked at the anti roll bar bushes today and they measure 18.5mm with calipers tight against them along different points of the bar. It is the newer style ARB i think as it has the metal lugs to stop the bar sliding as opposed to the glued on plastic ones.

I can find 18,19 and 20mm bushes on ebay which ones should i get?

also how can you remove the bottom collar bolt to replace the bushes as it is obstructed by the steering rack?

Fitted new anti roll bar droplinks and knocking is gone

old ones were knackered the ball joints had lots of play in them. 

As for the ARB bushes - I bought 16mm and they didn't fit so just left the old ones in as they were in good condition anyway.

 

Might replace the lower arms with all new bushes and lower ball joint, do the track rod ends and get the tracking done.

What about the loose steering?

I replaced all the wishbone bushes and my steering still felt vague (just assumed that's how fabia drove)  having just replaced the antiroll bar bushes, it's made an amazing difference, can feel the road through the steering for first time!