2015 Outback "wanders"

[Liggett]

My 2015 2.5 Outback takes more attention to steering inputs than it used to, especially on a crowned road, to keep it going where I point it. It's subtle, but it's there.

The car has 139,000 miles on it and I've owned it since new. At about 100K I installed new KYB struts on all 4 corners because I had a similar issue. It didn't cure the problem but when I installed an oversized 19mm rear swaybar and links, it did. Plus, the swaybar improved the resistance to crosswinds!

I had a mechanic I trust go over the car underneath and he didn't find anything obviously loose or worn although he couldn't access what I assume was the front control arm bushings without removing something else? When I drive over rough pavement at 20MPH the noise I hear (klunking?) doesn't sound like it's coming from the extreme front, (like tie rods, ball joints), or the extreme rear, it sounds like something worn/loose under, or just ahead, of the driver position.

It's never had a 4 wheel alignment, basically because it wears tires more evenly than any other car I've owned in my 60 years behind the wheel, and it does not shimmy or shake whatsoever. Smooth up to 80 which is as fast as I go, ever, these days.

Can anybody think of a possibility I can check, or can I provide more data?

(our local dealer is truly a "stealership", I haven't been back there since I ran out of warranty)

Thanks for anything in advance, even if only your patience to read this far!


Liggett

 

[BarryB333]

If camber/castor is off on the alignment that could cause problems with "wandering" as opposed to pulling to one side or the other. The front end may have some loose pieces and parts. Four wheel drive vehicles are prone to this due to wear. My "non-mechanic" opinion is to check aligment and then look for something worn or loose in the front end.

 

[bmart]

Tire condition and pressures too.

 

[BarryB333]

...and read your manual about mismatched tires i.e. buying one new tire to replace a damaged one and creating a balance issue if the tread depth between the new tire and old ones is too great. The Subarua AWD system is very sensitive to this issue. When tires get worn, you really should replace all four.