Steering Problems

[aaronearles]

This morning, I jump in the car to go for a 5 hour trip from Detroit, to New York, and I pull onto the road and the steering wheel is way off. like 45 degrees to the left just to stay straight. It's always been a little off to the left, but all of the sudden it's really bad. car drives straight, no pull or anything, but the wheel is way off. I stopped and checked the air in the tires, which were all good. and proceeded. I knew I shouldn't, but I had to make the trip, so I did it anyway, along the way I only noticed the irritating wheel position, the tires we're noisy, and the gas mileage was bad, 19.1 mpg from an 03 V8 Sport on a 270 mile trip, mostly freeway - I usually get about 23-24mpg (freeway), do you think I just need an alignment or do I need to have the car checked out for steering problems. - Also upon stopping in NY, I noticed that the back wheels were much more covered with brake dust than the front, which is unusual, so i checked the parking brake, but there seemed to be no problem and the problem didn't go away. Anyway, it was a 5 hour ride and it was time to get drinking, so I will look into it more tomorrow, but suggestions are always appreciated.

 

[aaronearles]

So I did some research on alignments on tirerack.com, and I'm pretty sure this is what the car needs. But, of course, it is Sunday - Memorial Day weekend and I'm 270 miles from home. Anyone have any opinions, or anything else I can check for to make sure.

 

[beaups]

i would think tie rod or steering linkage until you mention the brake dust on rears and mpg. sounds like rear brakes are binding up, possibly something is screwed up in the ebrake?? get it checked asap.

 

[aaronearles]

Luckilly, Canada doesn't celebrate Memorial Day, I found a shop to look at it. The tech said that the camber adjustment had been (rattled I guess) loose, causing it to slide all the way to one side. Just needed an alignment and we're flying straight again. However I ruined two 3 week old tires on the 300 mile trip, along with a $70 alignment, this trip has hit the wallet hard, oh well.

 

[beaups]

well unless you hit something I'd consider going after the shop that did your last alignment....

 

[nickandersonLS01]

right on, I'm pretty sure that isn't supposed to just come loose.

 

[beaups]

IIRC correctly the torque setting on the lower control arm bolts was 130+...ZERO reason to EVER come loose. Problem is these alignment shops just hit em with an impact wrench and many never check the torque.