ctdogman

Have a steering problem/issue with my totally stock TL. I drove a friends 2010 Dodge Caliber last week, and was amazed at how firm & solid that vehicles steering was. My 04 TL feels like a 1970's Cadillac. I took my car to the dealer and explained the situation, they flushed the power steering & replaced fluid, checked the suspension, checked the tires, etc, and found nothing wrong. I'm at a loss to figure out what is going on, all I know is when I first got the car it had tight, heavy steering. Now it's loose & too easy to turn, even at highway speeds. I use Bridgestone G109 tires, but the tire type shouldn't matter THAT much. Any ideas?

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

Tires can contribute to looser steering. I know when I threw on the conti DWS my steering became mushier. But not saying that's what your problem is. First place I'd start would be your inner and outer tie rod ends. These actually can wear out.

Don't know what mileage you got on your TL but being an 04 I would've started there ... not the fluid. Buy the parts online and take it to an independent mechanic. Shouldn't cost much.

You can actually test it out if you want by jacking the car up an seeing if there's any play but this test isn't always 100%. I rather just replace them especially if I plan on keeping the car and my car has high miles.

jwr0ng626

iTrader: (1)

you are comparing 2 completely different cars... try finding a member on azine, test drive his/her car and then make ur comparison?

stvctdogman

Update: Took my car to an old timer independent garage today. Explained what was going on, took him all of 15 seconds to make the diagnosis: Left front tire out of camber. They measured the alignment and there it was! I asked him how come the dealer didn't find that when I took it to them & explained the exact same thing, and they "supposedly" checked everything. He replied "because they didn't check". I no longer have confidence in my local Acura dealer. When I get my car back from this guy, I'll update on how the steering is.

jwr0ng626

iTrader: (1)

^? y 2 user name? lol

and I wouldn't think the dealer would check alignment specs from ur description of the problem.. but glad you have it all sorted out.

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

Alignment can cause you to have a lose steering as well but I don't know how much of a differencebyou are really going to notice with an alignment.

stvctdogman

Sorry for the delay in posting the results, and sorry for the change in user name, I forgot my ctdogman account password so I created and am now using stvctdogman.

Ok, the results: It was a very, very slightly bent lower control arm on the drivers side front wheel. Shop replaced it, aligned & balanced and now the car is back to normal. For comparison, I was able to drive another 04 TL and an 06 TL. Both had the same steering feel.

Final verdict: I went from an 01 Accord coupe to my 04 TL. I'll put this right out there: Honda & Acura (just my opinion) have steering that is way too over-boosted, and lacking in feel. The Dodge Caliber I drove had way better steering feel and weight, esp. at highway speeds. Heck, I have a friend that has a Chevy SST or something truck, and THAT vehicle has better steering feel at all speeds. Love my Acura, but after being exposed to those other vehicles, I don't think I'll buy another.

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

Just giving you a heads up .... I replaced my inner and outer tie rods and I was able to restore 70% of my new steering feel. HUGE IMPROVEMENT!

I then replaced both lower and upper control arms and didn't notice a difference. Then replaced my steering rack just a few days ago and bingo!! The remainig 30% has been found!! Feels heavy and tigh as new!

I still think you would benefit from tie rods. Not expensive at all. The improvement you might notice from your new control arm is most likely not cuz it was bent but because you have just in essence replaced all the bushings. Mainly the compliance one.