I have the annoying steering wander still after replaceing a few parts: idler arm bushing, torsion bar bushings, new tires, lower ball joints, everything thing else seems to be in fair condition. Camber is good, toed in a bit helped but... it's bad, and gets worse at faster speeds.

With a front wheel (either side) off the ground I can move the back of the wheel in and out and see the idler arm go up and down with the wheel play. I'm sure this is affecting the steering because it's easy to do. I know I can't get a real alignment with it like this.

Needless to say, I'm pissed off about it. It was a Lemfoerder (Edit- Febi) bushing kit. Even before I installed it I noticed the new bolt didn't have very close tolerances to the steel-lined bushings. Sure enough, that play is the same play I got after installing it.
I just torqued the nut/bolt some more to be sure everything was tight, no difference.

Why would the manufacturer leave so much play in a part like this? It's not much better that the old idler bushing I replaced! Did I get a defective one? Should I get a different brand?

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1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI