CLK unstable at speed

[ash1212002]

car feels very unstable and skittish when driving at speed to the point it feels unsafe to which i need to slow down to keep the car in control, I am having to constantly correct the steering, it feels as though I am about to lose control of the car especially at bends on the motorway

it also pulls significantly to the left which wasn't apparent previously


its very evident at 50 mph plus, i can also feel the car wobbling, this happens when driving and braking

a few months ago the mot highlighted that the off side track rod end ball joint had slight play

could this be the above part that would cause this or something else?

cheers

 

[clk320x]

STOP driving the car... and have it trailered to a garage

 

[ash1212002]

I only noticed it today after a long journey, any ideas what it could be?

 

[grober]

Could be tyres, wheel bearings, suspension bushes or mounts , steering rack/box , broken spring/s, leaking ineffective struts/shock absorbers, subframe mounts-any of the above. As advised best not to do any high speed driving <30mph till you find out whats wrong.You need to get the car up on a lift to get a good look underneath ASAP

 

[ash1212002]

Update: it was the track rod end, which has been replaced, however upon driving home from the garage the esp light us us flashing every so often.

The steering is also off center so need to get it tracked, could this cause the esp light to flash?

 

[grober]

Unlikely--make sure the electrical connections to the ABS sensors have not been disturbed especially on the side the trackrod end was renewed.

On second thoughts it might have some thing to do with the steering angle sensor- there is a reset you can perform yourself by turning the steering to full lock a couple of times side to side.

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[MangoMan]

Personally I would take it back to the garage that carried out the work and tell them that ever since they worked on the car this is happening..... (I would have turned straight around and gone back myself).

And not only that but after changing a Track Rod End the Tracking should have been done as a matter course!

 

[ash1212002]

I've done sone further reading on the forums, it is likely due to wheel alignment, as the steering is offset this will cause the angle sensor fault hence the flashing esp light

Will get the alignment carried out and report back

 

[clk320x]

I've done sone further reading on the forums, it is likely due to wheel alignment, as the steering is offset this will cause the angle sensor fault hence the flashing esp light

Will get the alignment carried out and report back

This is correct, same happened on my 211. Tracking solved it.

 

[inthegarage]

I've done sone further reading on the forums, it is likely due to wheel alignment, as the steering is offset this will cause the angle sensor fault hence the flashing esp light

Will get the alignment carried out and report back

Make sure you get 4 wheel tracking

 

[ash1212002]

Even though just the right hand side track rod was only replaced? I would have expected only that needs to be adjusted?