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Track rod end slightly loose in the steering arm taper. Not always obvious.

D

The problem with this thread, with apologies to Alex and unfortunate Betty, is that it's sooooooo wide ranging! A bit like the '.....my car won't start, what's up' querie. The answer is that by default, it MUST be something that's gone wrong since it was last used. So that will have eliminated most of the answers on the basis that some things just don't happen like that. Do I know what the answer is? Nope, ain't got a clue except that the answer will be a major fault that's come on since the last time it was used

i agree with all the suggestions made .. But how about the rear subframe & all its bolt on components that also need checking

I don’t knowing what age and type of suspension you are running. If it’s dry it is possible that the rubber cone has collapsed or is on the point of collapsing. I’ve had this happen between putting the car away for the winter and driving it in the spring.

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If the ARB uses solid aluminium bushes (as per the minispares type) check the bar is fee to rotate - if the bushes are fully tightened up they will clamp the bar solid and this will obviously have a big effect on handling.

I was going to say this soon as i read first post, this can result in real vague floating feeling
i would be checking this and all front subframe mounting bolts.

Tyres as well as suggested if the side walls have started to breakdown this will give the same vague floating feeling

Might be worth swapping wheels front to back just to see if anything changes

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Almost everything suggested so far has been checked (I've been away on the Beaujolais Run) as a matter of routine, except for pulling the tiebars off and inspecting the bushes. Compressing the springs and checking the top & bottom arm bearings & bushes is next. Both of these things can obviously perish after a few months of inactivity.
Having had a column/pinion spline failure I'm always on top of that, and the car had an MoT a month ago.

My primary worry was that the expensive ATB was the root cause of the problem !

I'll report back as and when I find out what the issue is.