I hit a curb a while back and had to replace about every suspension piece on the right front because everything was bent and my alignment was way off (pulling to the right like crazy). I took care of that but instead of only pulling to the right, now if I make a left turn then straighten out the wheel the car will pull incredibly hard that direction for however many miles until I make a hard right (this also happens the other way around). Is something wrong with my steering rack? It pulls so strongly that if I let go going straight the car instantly takes me into oncoming traffic or into the ditch (just depends on whatever way I turned last). Any advice would be great. The car is a '92 240sx with Jic coilovers up front and Tein HRs in the rears.
Modified by bonsai at 5:11 AM 12/30/2006
Alignment Issues
Re: Alignment Issues (bonsai)
If you've replaced suspension/steering components you can expect alignment issues.
You may want to get the alignment "in the ball park" to save excessive tire wear before going to the professionals .... that is, unless the professional shop is very close by. It's easily done.
Process: Bring the car to a slow stop, on level ground, with the steering wheel straight ahead. Then eye-sight against the side of the front wheels (from front to back ... at half wheel height) toward the rear wheels ... compare both sides. If you now adjust the outer tie-rods so that the front wheels are parallel with the rear ... you will be in pretty fair shape.
"Parallel" is usually included in the acceptable range of most alignment specifications. However, if you know the actual specs for you car (and can do the "trig") you can go for the actual specified toe-in adjustment by having someone hold a rule against the rear wheels as you gun-sight them from the front. It ain't rocket science ... but it does involve a bit of math!
Repeat the "Process" (above) until the car steers straight ahead and the front wheels are near parallel with the rear ... or within "specs".
This should get you in pretty good shape until you can make it to a shop. (Though I never go to one ... I've been doing this self-slignment for some years! And I get excellent , and even, tire wear.).
Modified by 12Ounce at 6:12 AM 12/30/2006
You may want to get the alignment "in the ball park" to save excessive tire wear before going to the professionals .... that is, unless the professional shop is very close by. It's easily done.
Process: Bring the car to a slow stop, on level ground, with the steering wheel straight ahead. Then eye-sight against the side of the front wheels (from front to back ... at half wheel height) toward the rear wheels ... compare both sides. If you now adjust the outer tie-rods so that the front wheels are parallel with the rear ... you will be in pretty fair shape.
"Parallel" is usually included in the acceptable range of most alignment specifications. However, if you know the actual specs for you car (and can do the "trig") you can go for the actual specified toe-in adjustment by having someone hold a rule against the rear wheels as you gun-sight them from the front. It ain't rocket science ... but it does involve a bit of math!
Repeat the "Process" (above) until the car steers straight ahead and the front wheels are near parallel with the rear ... or within "specs".
This should get you in pretty good shape until you can make it to a shop. (Though I never go to one ... I've been doing this self-slignment for some years! And I get excellent , and even, tire wear.).
Modified by 12Ounce at 6:12 AM 12/30/2006
Re: Alignment Issues (12Ounce)
I just had it aligned today at the local tire store and was unsatisfied so I took it to the front-end specialist shop and had it done there. (Thanks for the info on the DIY alignment will use that next time and save some money). The car drove fine but the more turns I took the more it started to pull to one side or another. What confuses me is how it is not always one side it pulls towards, just whatever way I turned last. This makes me think it is less of an alignment issue and perhaps a problem with my steering rack.
Re: Alignment Issues (bonsai)
You are probably on the right track.
One easy thing to check for is the rubber mounting bushings for the rack, they may be broken/weak and allow the rack to have a "memory". Watch the rack while an assistant rocks the steering wheel back and forth ... the rack should move very little relative to the firewall or frame.
One easy thing to check for is the rubber mounting bushings for the rack, they may be broken/weak and allow the rack to have a "memory". Watch the rack while an assistant rocks the steering wheel back and forth ... the rack should move very little relative to the firewall or frame.
Re: Alignment Issues (12Ounce)
Thanks for the advice I will try that in the morning.