2002 CL type S with 90K miles

I tried posting this in the CL forum but they are sleeping on the job or are recommending things that have already been looked at

some background

my car had a slight wandering problem before I had an accident and it is much worse afterwards but I do not think the work of repair shop has anything to do with it since I think it is more due to some new parts being used in the repair process that makes the problem more appearant. the car also does not have any of the "looseness" that it had before the accident.

just before my accident I had new lower ball joints put on the car and it almost completely solved the problem but not quite

I curbed my car and the following was replaced in the front

subframe
right side LCA
A/C condensor
front exhaust pipe
skid plate
tow hook
bumper cover

the following was repaired
upper and lower tie bars
fender
door


they repaired the car perfectly and it does not pull it just wanders and I need to know exactly where to look in order to resolve this issue. The car is going to Acura on the 11th for an allignment but I think this is a worn part issue versus an allignment issue.

any help would be appreiated.

 

interesting well my friend has an sc300 that if you drive wit the steering wheel straight it starts to uhh well "wonder" and you gotta counter steer left and right to make it go straight if thats your problem he told me that was because his tie rods needed to be replaced gotta make sure the tie rod bushings i believe theyre called got replaced/fixed also

 

get the car some blinders, problem solved

 

was an alignment listed on the invoice?
what were the final readouts?
that MUST be done, and should have been done before you picked up the car

What is `repaired tie bars`- the tie rod ends? you replace those in a curb shot accident, the side force will kill them and is the adjustment for Toe on the alignment- the thing that makes the car go straight~

Thats a good place to start looking, as those will also allow the alignment to change constantly- you could set it and drive a block and its moving with each bump = wander

Take it back to the shop and tell them its not right

I have seen shops not do work and charge for it, then if the customer comes back they do straighten whatever..if not they made free money

 

tie bars are part of the bulkhead in the front of the car.

yes there is an alligment on the invoice and the car does not pull to either side

 

get back to gdd :P

 

^ lol

I am still in there

but I really need help with this cause I don't want to be tossing money....

 

if the toe is off it can wander, doesnt have to just pull to be wrong alignment~
my 01 does that since wife finds every pothole to put those enkei rims thru
Now it needs 2 front tires, bad wear on inner edge of both

Thats what I get for not driving it very often now to keep an eye on things-
...got a bike and the TL became `her` car again~

 

I would check the tie rod ends for sure- often damaged in curb shot accidents- dont ask how I know
and general wear- your past problems etc,,look at the basics

 

^ thanks, we'll have acura check it out and go from there

 

as said befor how are the roads you drive on


also you may not have enough caster ethier, does the force that it takes to turn the wheel seem a little light (too easy), or like it was before???

 

car wanders over everything asphalt, concrete, dirt...

 

so even like newly paved roads too, cause worn roads with ruts, are hell for trying to get a car to not wander

just trying to make sure it was not the conditions of the roads causeing the problem

 

also how does the steering feel, light, normal, or heavy

and is it the same as before too




also the printout with the current alingment on it would be killer, to help figure out the problem, but you proably don't have it , body shop proably does

 

actually the steering is alot tighter like it was when I bought it

 

thats good, but i mean more like is it harder to turn, as before/normal, or does not take as much effert to turn the wheel
like in a parking lot

 

need the alignment printout after all the repairs to know if anything is off to start with- go from there

This car took a major side slap to the front and went off roading after that~

Im just trying to prevent a delay by waiting for dealer to inspect and need a part, when the repair shop should be able to get it on the lift and see whats up
If a locknut on the tie rod was left loose--something like that would be good to fix now.. not 12 days from now-
but thats just my opinion--and I have been wrong several times this year

 

unfortunately the repairshop did not do the allignment, the shop subletted it and they were the ones that found the bent LCA on the passenger side. I will get the print out from Acura on next friday. The soonest I can get it back to the repair shop is next friday Work 12 hr days = everthing closed before and after you work.

 

no there is no binding and the steering is the same as it was before effort wise (the CL-S steering is not as boosted as the Premium model) car responds immediately to inputs

 

effort wise would be a better explanation of what i was asking

and i got a TL-S and i wish the steering was still stiffer then it is now, guess i like the steering being a little stiff


depending on how far you work from the shop (if you could walk or get a ride to work) you can always drop it off before they open with your keys, and then pick it up afterwards, and do everything by the phone, to maybe get it in sooner

 

not driving the car too much without inspection is our basic concern- for your safety-
would hate to lose a good member who helps so many

Holidays always suck for getting your car looked at
Shops are desperate for money...need I say more...buyer beware on diagnosis

Is there another alignment shop near you that can put it on the lift for a quick check?

oh Yeah- Merry new Years everyone!!!- lets arrive safely into 2010