New Rack + Tie Rods + Alignment = Steering Wheel Still Off Center?

[ptcfast2]

I put a new rack in my 98 Lumina over the past weekend along with some new tie rods and what not. I knew it would need to be aligned after the fact. In order to make the car track straight the steering wheel needed to be turned to the right a bit, so I took it in yesterday to get it aligned. Now, the steering wheel is a bit better, but instead of having to hold it to the right I have to hold it slightly to the left. Seems like they didn't do something right...or I messed up!?

 

I'm a dummy when it comes to alignment terminology and what not. Is this alignment related or is my steering wheel actually off center somewhere (like intermediate steering shaft pinch-bolt connector to the rack when I replaced it)?

[Schurkey]

MOST likely is the guy who aligned the vehicle didn't adjust the tie-rods correctly.

 

TAKE IT BACK, and tell them about the off-center steering wheel.

 

They should fix that for free--you paid them for the alignment already.

[ptcfast2]

MOST likely is the guy who aligned the vehicle didn't adjust the tie-rods correctly.

 

TAKE IT BACK, and tell them about the off-center steering wheel.

 

They should fix that for free--you paid them for the alignment already.

 

I already have an appointment scheduled for Saturday. Just wanted to make sure I didn't jack up the rack alignment when I installed it. The spec sheet I got said everything was in alignment, but I honestly don't give a crap what the computer says.

[urbex]

Or is it possible that he just didn't align the steering wheel?

[BXX]

Or is it possible that he just didn't align the steering wheel?

 

LOLWUT:lol:

 

He prolly didn't have the steering wheel dead level prior to adjusting it. Dunno what rack setup they have, but I enjoy using WinToe on the DSP600 at my work. Almost idiot proof.

 

 

Or, like aboot 25% of my customers who we do alignments and they complain afterwards, it's a tire radial pull.

[jman093]

Is the car actually pulling to one direction requiring you to turn it away from center? If so that doesn't mean the wheel is not centered correctly. An off-center steering wheel would be a car that drives straight on a level road (no pull) and the wheel is not centered. This is definitely a bad alignment. If you have pull though, it can be from a bad alignment, but I'm guessing you have tire pull.

[ptcfast2]

No pull tires are new with about 1000 miles on them. Car tracks straight when steering wheel is left alone. When steering wheel is centered car veers to the right. When steering wheel is slighly left car goes straight and stays straight.

[jman093]

Then they didn't get the steering wheel centered on the alignment. With a new gear and tie rod ends there is no reason for there to be any play that would prevent them from getting it centered right.

[xtremerevolution]

Or, you have some old as shit subframe bushings that cause the alignment to be thrown off depending on how you drive. Did you replace them when you replaced the rack? If not, you will need to.

 

Sent from my HTC Awesome using Tapatalk

[ptcfast2]

Or, you have some old as shit subframe bushings that cause the alignment to be thrown off depending on how you drive. Did you replace them when you replaced the rack? If not, you will need to.

 

Sent from my HTC Awesome using Tapatalk

 

Subframe bushings are less than a year old. It's going back to the shop tomorrow so hopefully it should be good to go.

[ptcfast2]

They fixed it up. Steering wheel is perfect now.

[BXX]

Someone prolly doesnt know how to use WinToe:lol: (which is near impossible)

[ptcfast2]

Well, I've got an update to this story finally...

 

I took the car back to Firestone a few weeks ago and told them to re-check. They said that they found the other shop (I was out of town to do some work and had it aligned at another Firestone) didn't align it properly even though the printout I received shows within specifications. They said they aligned it properly and I should be good to go. I took it out for a spin and the car had the same problem - right pull. I brought it back and they said they would look at it again.

 

They looked at it again and said that it was within specifications and it can't be aligned. They said that it seemed fine when the drove it (they said they had 3 different employees drive it) and said they didn't see what the problem was. They said that I must have faulty suspension parts (I laughed out loud at that - tie rods, coil springs + bearings, struts, rack, ISS, etc all newish) and they couldn't to anything more. I said fine, and went on my way.

 

A few days ago I decided I wanted to get the opinion of another shop not associated with Firestone. So, I forked out the dough to get the car aligned (remember, I had that lifetime alignment thing from Firestone - not really happy that I had to fork out the $$$ for this additional alignment) and when they finished they told me the toe was wayyy out of spec. They gave me a printout and it showed what I suspected - values that would cause a right pull. I leave the shop and the car tracs perfectly!

 

Anyways, I'm debating on going down to Firestone and demanding they replace the 2 front tires that were slowly wearing away due to their faulty alignment(s). I bought the tires from them about 2-3 months ago so they are pretty new, but I'm pissed that they've been on the front slowly wearing improperly due to their negligent practices. I do plan on at LEAST complaining though - no freaking reason 2 separate shops can't align my car (and say it's not their problem - issue is with the car) while a competitor can easily align it.

Edited November 7, 2011 by ptcfast2

[Schurkey]

I do plan on at LEAST complaining though - no freaking reason 2 separate shops can't align my car (and say it's not their problem - issue is with the car) while a competitor can easily align it.

Good for you. Let 'em have it.

 

Of course, there IS a reason the Firestone shops "can't" align your car properly...they've ALREADY got your money, and actually FIXING the car doesn't increase their profit margin any more.

 

Jack 'em up good.