aligned, then mis-aligned, then aligned, then mis-aligned, etc.

[ESPER]

wsup! when i first bought my s14, the steering wheel was offset to the left in order for my car to drive straight. had an alignment done, drove it for a while, it was slightyl to the right now. had them re do it, it was better, then after driving (kinda hard) for a bout a week its offsetting to the right more!! why is this!!

[93low240sx]

go to a different guy, thats all i can think of. sorry

[93low240sx]

yea it happened to me, and i went to a different guy and it works great now, no problems

[240 STYL]

After clipping a f**king pothole while driving through North Carolina (if you're from there you know your roads suck ***) and ran into the same problem. After having it re-aligned by two different guys, it turned out that the right-side lower a-arm was bent. Replaced it and it drives straight as an arrow, after another alignment. Maybe you should check your suspension. Just a thought.

[ESPER]

thanks i will see who will check it for me thanks!!

[Thor]

wsup! when i first bought my s14, the steering wheel was offset to the left in order for my car to drive straight. had an alignment done, drove it for a while, it was slightyl to the right now. had them re do it, it was better, then after driving (kinda hard) for a bout a week its offsetting to the right more!! why is this!!

If it is just the steering wheel off-set (meaning your alignment is fine...car doesn't drift one way or the other) you can pull the wheel off yourself and position it in any manner you feel necessary (upside down if you so desire).

However, if the steering wheel is merely a symptom (meaning your alignment is actually changing and the wheel position has changed with it) then you have to look at a few different things.

Are all of the components of your steering healthy - outer tie rods, steering rack, etc.? Is the jam nut on the tie rods tight?

Bottom Line - the steering wheel is dependent on the system...having the wheel straight really isn't an issue. You need to check whether or not your alignment has changed.

-Dave

[drjohn]

It could be something as simple as the steering rack bushings worn out that let the rack shift from one side to the other when turning.

[slw240sx]

i too am seeking answers to the questions K car brought up. mine is already crap an its not going to be long before its done for,but what i want to know how hard would it be to swap it from a 91 to a 90... do i have to disconect all they other suspension parts or would it be easier to just have a rebuild of it. Kcar.. if i just fix mine ill sell/give you my extra rack! its on a 91 FB.

also this is the first time i think ive seen you ask the question instead of answer it !

[Thor]

Changing the rack on these cars is quite easy (assuming that you are replacing the failed component with a similar one):

- unbolt the the lead/return pressure lines- unbolt the 2 support flanges under the car (easy to get to)- remove the outer tie rods- disconnect the steering (1 small bolt)- remove rack

I replaced mine with a reman. unit from the parts store, not expensive at all. It was a quick change. I also replaced the pressure lines and return lines while I was at it.

I'm not sure if the '91 and '90 units are interchangeable.

[Thor]

My reply wasn't really intended for you...more towards slw240sx.

Anyway...I have rebuilt, at least attempted, a steering rack... for the ol' Chevy with Z52 steering option (short turn). It really isn't that difficult to understand, rather, it is frustrating. I opted to count my losses and purchase new.

[ESPER]

well after christmas i will have scanned the alignment printouts seras gives me, they are like COMPLETELY DIFFERENT its strange

but yeha, could i take a look at the suspension componenets myself with a jack stand?? and if so what should i look for

[slw240sx]

thanks thor.. i think ill just take a look an replace the fooked up boot an the bearings if any an clean it up seal it back an see if its alright !!

[Thor]

but yeha, could i take a look at the suspension componenets myself with a jack stand?? and if so what should i look for

Yes, you could use a jack...but I always use a pair of jack stands with a 3.5 Ton floor jack as my redundancy...always safer than (you know how it goes).

Check the excess play/leaks in the shocks; ball joints, boots; outer tie rod boots; tears in the steering rack boots; all rubber bushings; wheel bearings; leaks in steering rack...

There is probably someone on here who can post a better solution - I'm out of time...need to drive for 7 hours to do the Christmas thing.

-Dave

[ESPER]

well i guess i would need a chiltn or somthing cuz i aint 100% sure where all the suspension components are, but i basically need to check the front and back under the car right?! thanks!!