99TLHeather

Guys, I need some input. After an alignment, I noticed the steering wheel is turned approx 10% to the right while going straight. If the mechanic adjusts the racknpinion to straighten the steering wheel by trial and error, does that change the toe in/out. Do I need another alignment?

Thanks in advance!

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Get it realigned?? I've never had that problem before.

Well, actually, my steering wheel has been turned slightly to the left while going straight since day one. After swapping the suspension components a few times and 3 alignments, the steering wheel is exactly where it always has been.

Much easier to realign than mess with the steering rack/pinion, anyway.

99TLHeather

Actually, the guy who did my alignment fixed it by adjusting the rack on both ends to turn the wheels to the right. It seems as if it's fixed, but I'm concerned b/c he didn't do another alignment after he adjusted. I'm concerned that the toe in/out might be out of spec. Should I be concerned?

99TLHeather

I went back to the mechanic and asked him to hook up my car to the alignment computer to give me the specs. Yes indeed the specs where in the red. Got another alignment, but the steering wheel is still turned to the right while going straight. The mechanic said my right spindle is bent. When I get the money, maybe I'll replace the spindle. I don't think it's that important to replace the spindle.

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Hmm, interesting, because you said it didn't happen before the alignment. Now the spindle is suddenly bent? Is this mechanic trustworthy?

TeknoKing

agree with Pure, sound strange. The only way that will occur, if you hit a major pothole or a curb at high speed, and believe me you would of noticed the change in steering right away.

I say go to another mechanic who has a modern machine. Also, dont tell the mechanic whats wrong, let him find out whats wrong by himself.

good luck

99TLHeather

Last year b/4 my suspension upgrade, I hit potholes big time. Bent 3 18's majorly. The spindle on the right is like a millimeter from touching the strut and the left side driverside is like a 1/4 inch from touching the strut. I don't know if the strut is off or the spindle is bent slightly. But I did hit on the passenger side last year alot, very hard, like 4 times and hit again before mechanic realigned (weekend that past). I just brought a 2002 type s spindle used for $152 shipped. B/4 I got the alignment the car would pull to the left a bit and I had to turn the wheel a bit to the right to go straight. Well we'll see what happens when I replace the spindle.

99TLHeather

I brought my car to Initial D Auto salon the past weekend. They tried to figure out the noise from the rear and took off my spc rear camber b/c one of the boot was cracked and I replaced the bushing in the rear sway to energy suspension. The noise is still there. I even told them to retorque all the suspension nuts and bolts and still have that noise. When I get the new spc rear under warranty, I'm going to take it to get an alignment with a modern alignment machine than some prehistoric one. LOL. Don't get me wrong, even with the prehistoric machine the car ran great. So, I'm not doubting the mechanic.

99TLHeather

I screwed up, my right side wheel gap is 1/4 inch more than my left side (driver) wheel gap. Therefore, I'm assuming that the spindle (bottom of the curve) will be closer to the strut on the passenger side than the driver side. Oh well, just lost $152 on a spindle. Shouldn't have jumped the gun and purchased so fast.

99TLHeather

Okay guys, it's not the spindle that is 1mm close to the strut. It's the huge bar that is connected to the upper control ball joint. I was confused on what the spindle was. I guess if the spindle is bent, it would shift the strut assembly closer to the huge bar I'm referring to.

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Wait, what "bar" are you talking about? On the upper control arm?

99TLHeather

The bar that runs parallel to the strut and I believe is attached to the upper control arm ball joint. The spindle is the fork looking piece that is connected to the bottom of the front strut right?