MG MG ZS (2001 - 2005) - 04 1600 Snaking at 80

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Tue 18 Aug 2009 19:56
04 1600 Snaking at 80 - overend2
Travelling on motorway at around 80, car started snaking, no trailer, lasted around 3 or 4 seconds, braked gently, and slowed to 60, all ok. This was at the end of a long run 400 miles, previously car had been wandering slightly. Turns out there was too much pressure in front drivers side tyre 35 pounds when should have been 30. Could this have been cause or should I be looking for something else? MOT 3 months ago, tyre tred ok
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Tue 18 Aug 2009 22:11
04 1600 Snaking at 80 - bbroomlea{P}
Tyres would be the best place to look! The air will expand slightly when it gets hot so if its over inflated to start with then its not going to do it much good - particularly if there is not equal pressure and tread pattern on corresponding corners!

Also check that brakes are not sticking on - usually you can feel excess heat after a long run on one side and not the other if you put your hand near the alloy wheel.
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Tue 18 Aug 2009 22:38
04 1600 Snaking at 80 - overend2
Thanks for advice. Tyre pressure has been adjusted, will try it a 90 tomorrow!
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Tue 18 Aug 2009 22:50
04 1600 Snaking at 80 - Dave_TD
Try driving on the same stretch of motorway in the same lane again, I get the feeling it could be lorry ruts in the tarmac. I would be very surprised if a side-to-side tyre pressure imbalance could bring on the action you describe, especially after several hundred miles with no ill effects.

Hth.

Dave TD
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Tue 18 Aug 2009 23:05
04 1600 Snaking at 80 - ex-Triumph man
I take it you are currently abroad or are testing on a private track.

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Tue 18 Aug 2009 23:22
04 1600 Snaking at 80 - overend2
Returning from Loire Valley when problem occured
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Wed 19 Aug 2009 22:18
04 1600 Snaking at 80 - davecuk
Any problem in the steering components, rack track rod ends etc.. or a severe front impact with a kerb/speed hump can affect things. This "free play" in the steering can cause steering to wander and be affected more by ruts/grooves in the road where normally you would not feel them. If generally the steering feels a little vague, or wanders slightly all the time (needs a lot more "correction" than your used to....get it looked at by a specialist.

If you have owned car from new and sure that you have not had any wheel collisions with kerbs or speed humps, it could be something else, perhaps just very windy and exposed on that leg of the journey?.

Edited by davecuk on 19/08/2009 at 22:19

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