First post, couldn't find this exact problem in the archives so I hope this isn't repetitive.
I have a 2002 Cooper S with a bit over 50,000 miles on it (I know, I've only had it a year, must have been a snowbird car). Previous owner lowered it a bit more than stock, and I replaced rear control arms a while back. No other major changes I know about. 17" Toyo's with maybe 5,000 miles on them. Fresh alignment at that time.
Recently it seems like the steering has become more twitchy, and I can't tell if it's just my heightened perception or if there really is something wrong.
You know if you're on a section of road with grooved pavement and when the grooves stop the steering feels like it pulls a bit one way or another? It's that sensation. It's a very similar feeling to torque steer, but not necessarily in relation to pressing or releasing the gas pedal.
It's intermittent, and I usually only notice it at highway speeds. Today I turned to exit the freeway (maybe 70mph, a deliberate turn but nothing stupid), the car started to turn and then twitched (or suddenly turned a bit quicker than I moved the steering wheel), almost like a delayed reaction.
My regular mechanic took a test drive, checked it out and all he could come up with was worn out struts (which seem to have nothing to do with it in my mind).
Any ideas?
I have a 2002 Cooper S with a bit over 50,000 miles on it (I know, I've only had it a year, must have been a snowbird car). Previous owner lowered it a bit more than stock, and I replaced rear control arms a while back. No other major changes I know about. 17" Toyo's with maybe 5,000 miles on them. Fresh alignment at that time.
Recently it seems like the steering has become more twitchy, and I can't tell if it's just my heightened perception or if there really is something wrong.
You know if you're on a section of road with grooved pavement and when the grooves stop the steering feels like it pulls a bit one way or another? It's that sensation. It's a very similar feeling to torque steer, but not necessarily in relation to pressing or releasing the gas pedal.
It's intermittent, and I usually only notice it at highway speeds. Today I turned to exit the freeway (maybe 70mph, a deliberate turn but nothing stupid), the car started to turn and then twitched (or suddenly turned a bit quicker than I moved the steering wheel), almost like a delayed reaction.
My regular mechanic took a test drive, checked it out and all he could come up with was worn out struts (which seem to have nothing to do with it in my mind).
Any ideas?