Does any body know a reliable home test procedure to detremine if the console bushes need replacing.

Reason I ask, was that coming home on the westbound M25 (Surrey), with a moderate head/crosswind, I was having a hell of a job keeping the thing in lane.

The saloon, which I got, has always been susceptible to sideways movement from crosswinds - the worst experienced to date being on the M5 southbound at Sedgemoor, where there is always a a strong gusty crosswind at righyt angles to the direction of travel - but last night was something else.

The vehicle has done 32,000, passed its MOT earlier this month and has got ecoconti's all round with an average depth of 4mm. ARB replaced at 20,000 no noticeable knocking since.

What's occuring ?

Nick,

30/03/08

just replace them anyway,the standard ones are carp:D

Park the car with the handbrake on, grip a front wheel at the quarter to three position and try to rotate it forwards, excessive wheel movement will be a clue to the state of the bushes.