if i hit some uneven pavemant it almost feels like one wheel darts out in another direction...ive checked for things like broken sway bar link but i dont seem to see any problems...what should i look for...ill call it sloppy steering,its been there for a while

 

Did you check the tie rods to see if they were in good condition?

 

no where are they gota pic?

 

At the rear of the knuckle. You will see a long rod connected to a large boot towards the center of the car (that boot is the connection to the steering rack).
I will get you a pic from my helms in a little while. I need to go take a shower and my camera batteries are dead so they're charging. Give me 15 mins.

 

cool

 

Letter A is the tie rod

 

yes i looked at them mostly ...but im not sure what im looking for

 

is your car lowered? did you do the work?

I only ask because my car is also lowered (don't ask me the details of the equipment-I bought it that way) and it, too, tends to want to dart one way or the other, and seems very influenced by the pavement.

 

yes and i did the work

 

Could be the tires, big flat treads tend to folllow grooves and seams in the road more than narrower rounded ones. Stiffer sidewalls (lower aspect ratio) will also cause this as can tread design.

 

"Tow In" is what causes the darting effect. Go to a good alignment shop and gitter done.

 

ok...

 

I have the same thing on my 01- Cl-S with my Potenza S03's.... Stiff sidewall, low profile, wider than stock. Whenever I encounter some nasty pavement, I have to be on my toes as it tends to pull one way or the other. I'm pretty sure that the alignment is good and I just consider it the price I pay to run those tires.

Pete

 

Kinda related..

My car was in an accident back in April (I hit someone - but it was their fault). Anyway, get the car back after the body shop finished up work and the steering feels off. It's pulling and the steering wheel now shimmies. They always say your car is never the same after an accident.

So I brought it to Firestone where I have lifetime warranty and they tell me that my alignment is spot on...but my right front camber is out of spec. WTF?

No real idea what that means but I'm sure I can't call the body shop that did the work and tell them to fix it right this time. They won't open the insurance claim again probably.

Thoughts?

-RM

 

It's not an insurance issue, it's a matter of the shop getting it right like they should have the first time.

Take it back.

 

I believe it is "toe out" is what causes darting or wandering on the road. Too much "toe in" usually just causes tire wear. Don't rule out upper and lower ball joints either.

In any case it is time for an alignment and front end check

 

I had that for abit, when my sotck tires were still on, then as soon as I got my V4's it went away ...

but then it came back, my car was shaking a little bit too, turned out my tires were low on pressure, AND some of the lug nots had fallen off (last time I let anybody but myself or professional mechanics work on my car.)

oh yeah, and once I fixed tht it was all good again.