'04 TL drifts at higher speeds

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Old 03-13-2019, 06:06 PM
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'04 TL drifts at higher speeds

My '04 TL (177k miles) seems to drift on the highway and / or at higher speeds. It's not pulling in one certain direction, but rather gets away from me a little if I look down at the radio etc. and drifts in either direction. I've had the alignment done and tie rods replaced, motor mounts replaced, and it still does it. I could probably use 4 new tires fairly soon, and I also know that my rear struts are pretty shot. Could that be the culprit? Thanks.
Old 03-13-2019, 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by skierz
My '04 TL (177k miles) seems to drift on the highway and / or at higher speeds. It's not pulling in one certain direction, but rather gets away from me a little if I look down at the radio etc. and drifts in either direction. I've had the alignment done and tie rods replaced, motor mounts replaced, and it still does it. I could probably use 4 new tires fairly soon, and I also know that my rear struts are pretty shot. Could that be the culprit? Thanks.
Hmmm, rear struts at only 177,000 miles? Are they leaking?

As for what the cause is, hard to say, could be one or more bad tires, one or more bad control arms or suspension bushings, I rather doubt it is the rear struts.
Old 03-22-2019, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by horseshoez
Hmmm, rear struts at only 177,000 miles? Are they leaking?

As for what the cause is, hard to say, could be one or more bad tires, one or more bad control arms or suspension bushings, I rather doubt it is the rear struts.
don't think struts are leaking....thanks...still looking into this more
Old 03-22-2019, 11:25 AM
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what does the alignment say..which specs were out?
Old 03-22-2019, 01:24 PM
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Could be tires, depending on how fast you are taking those corners...
I remember taking corners in both my 07's (base and type-s) at stock height, and I would be very aggressive in the corner and a couple times it would get away from me as well.
However, after having been lowered on teins, I take corners without any "slippage" now, I'm also running semi-new, beefier tires (DWS06)
Old 03-22-2019, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by MyGuti
Could be tires, depending on how fast you are taking those corners...
I remember taking corners in both my 07's (base and type-s) at stock height, and I would be very aggressive in the corner and a couple times it would get away from me as well.
However, after having been lowered on teins, I take corners without any "slippage" now, I'm also running semi-new, beefier tires (DWS06)
I don't think @skierz means he's drifting in the sense of a rear tire slide. I think he just means drifting like you intend to go straight but you start to move into another lane, left or right lane in their case.
Old 03-22-2019, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by rg1220
I don't think @skierz means he's drifting in the sense of a rear tire slide. I think he just means drifting like you intend to go straight but you start to move into another lane, left or right lane in their case.
rg1220 is correct. I didn't do a very good job of explaining so I'll try again. In long sweeping turns the steering wheel 'wobbles' or tugs in the opposite direction - it's as if it's fighting me and I have to really be on it to keep it smooth. I just had the alignment done last week

Recently completed work on car includes:
- New control arms and bushings on both sides
- new motor mounts - front and left side
- new front and rear brakes and rotors
- new front sway bar link
- new right front outer tie rod
- new serpentine belt

Current issues on the car include:
- needs a new O2 sensor - CEL code P2197 (O2 A/F sensor) and B251 signal stuck lean(?). Not sure if the "lean" part is correct due to mechanics chickenscratch writing.
- power steering high pressure line is leaking (already replaced by Acura via the recall so this one is out of pocket. Yes I called them and put up a stink but they weren't having it)
- car smells like gas in the cabin of the car - much stronger when it rains.
- car could use new tires
- CEL comes on intermittently
- could use new rear struts

Appreciate any / all feedback. Wow in looking at that list of new parts I should list in on Craigslist with the list and see what I can get. hahaha....

Last edited by skierz; 03-22-2019 at 04:59 PM.
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