Rear suspension and squirming

[Burnt orange]

Hi all, on the 05/05/26 I’ve just bought my first California, a 2023 Ocean 150ps. It’s a lovely vehicle but I’m concerned about the handling of it.

I noticed that it has quite a rigid ride compared to an early T5 multivan I had. I’ve also noticed that under reasonable acceleration at say 50-60mph on the motorway, the van feels like it is snaking, or squirming and drifts off slightly to either side. Like the steering is becoming light. Which can be quite terrifying in heavy traffic.

The vehicle has a 12 month VW approved used warranty.

Has anyone else had this problem? And please could someone give me some advice on how to rectify the problem and proceed.

Would be very grateful for any help!

Thanks Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sidepod]

Difficult to advise on how to rectify the problems when we (you included) don’t know what the problem is?
All we have to go on is a vague description of a symptom.

It sounds like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

Tyre pressures would be a good starting point?

 

[WelshGas]

Hi all, on the 05/05/26 I’ve just bought my first California, a 2023 Ocean 150ps. It’s a lovely vehicle but I’m concerned about the handling of it.

I noticed that it has quite a rigid ride compared to an early T5 multivan I had. I’ve also noticed that under reasonable acceleration at say 50-60mph on the motorway, the van feels like it is snaking, or squirming and drifts off slightly to either side. Like the steering is becoming light. Which can be quite terrifying in heavy traffic.

The vehicle has a 12 month VW approved used warranty.

Has anyone else had this problem? And please could someone give me some advice on how to rectify the problem and proceed.

Would be very grateful for any help!

Thanks Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As above. How many miles has vehicle done?
Check tyre pressures. Label on B pillar drivers door for pressures.
Check tyre wear L to R across each axle and Front to rear.
Check tracking.

 

[Lost Boy]

I'd also re torque the wheel nuts too with those symptoms

 

[Burnt orange]

As above. How many miles has vehicle done?
Check tyre pressures. Label on B pillar drivers door for pressures.
Check tyre wear L to R across each axle and Front to rear.
Check tracking.

The van has done 12,700 miles

 

[WelshGas]

The van has done 12,700 miles

So original tyres which are 3+ years old.
So check tyre pressures according to label.
Check tyre wear all round .
And I would get Tracking checked out. Any good tyre shop can do that .

 

[BIG C]

Worth checking that the last turn of a rear (or front) coil spring has not snapped off. Sometimes it makes a bang and/or catches on brake hose and rattles. Other times it just drops out unnoticed. A common problem. Suspension still works but is unbalanced. I have had 3 springs on a T6 replaced under warranty.

 

[Beeechke1]

As @BIG C says I'm on my third rear inside coil spring they take a hammering, these are heavy vehicles, and they don't seem to last.

 

[Baldrick]

Agreeing with everything written above, I had a lot of weight in the back once (‘Mrs Kitchen sink’ has still yet to get the K(eep) I(t) S(simple) strategy… The steering felt disturbingly light - just in case that’s of use.
Hope you get it sorted out swiftly.

 

[Baldrick]

Check the actual tyres are all correct for your Van. They need much stiffer sidewalls than a car. For example a T6 Ocean needs a 103 rated tyre. And some types are also directional which is worth double checking.

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

Our T5 had a soft wallowy feel until we fitted uprated anti roll bars which stiffened up the ride. Think T6 has them fitted as standard so this might explain some of the difference when comparing T5 v T6.

Make sure your tyre pressures match those printed on the drivers door.

Some motorways have slight tramlines as a result of hgv’s, usually in left hand lane. Your tyres will tend to follow these lines.

You should also use the loaded tyre pressures on the door chart. A california is heavy, the partial load tyre pressure is for an empty panel van.