A quick question.

popcornPIMPz · Post by **popcornPIMPz** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:12 pm

Idk if this is the right place, it seems this question could go in two sections, but here is the question.

My front tires seem to feel like the drive/steer on their own. I try to drive straight and then my car starts swerving like its going to wipe out and the tire move freely in the front. Does anyone know what might cause this?

yellowpatrol · Post by **yellowpatrol** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:15 pm

Rims / tires too wide? Are they aftermarket? When I had my 18"x8" wheels with 225mm tires they would seem to find every little imperfection in the highway and steer into them.

Have you had an alignment done lately? NTB has a good deal on a 3 year agreement where you pay a set price and you can have as many alignments done in that time as you want at no addtl charge.

popcornPIMPz · Post by **popcornPIMPz** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:17 pm

They are stock wheels. Well I had an alignment done not too long ago, but I do think it's in need of another one. The main thing that gives it away is that my steering wheel is way off center when the wheels are straight.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:32 pm

I moved you to this section since the drivetrain section is more for transaxle type questions.

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:38 pm

I'd guess a bad tie rod end. Jack the front end off the ground and, move the turn the wheels (like your steering) and fell if there is any play.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:28 pm

03blackrt wrote:I'd guess a bad tie rod end. Jack the front end off the ground and, move the turn the wheels (like your steering) and fell if there is any play.

Unless it did it right after they did your alignment. Then it would be the toe/or everything not adjusted correctly. I just went through this with mine. They had the camber off more than 1.5º on all four corners as well as the toe. It would want to wander alot. I ended up taking it to a different shop.
I still need to replace the outer tie rod end as it doesn't have enough adjustment. (Rod bottoms out) Prolly due to replacing the crossmember, and not getting it 100% centered. It is cheaper to replace the end than readjust the crossmember and pay for a totally new alignment. (got two new Moog brand [which aren't crimped like OEM] off ebay for $50)
Anyways... even with the toe not 100% it drives much better.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:34 pm

How many miles on your car, bearings are a wear item and could easily cause this problem if they have an excess of miles on them or damaged knuckles/spindles.

If you had an alignment recently they would (hopefully) have noticed bad tie rod ends.