Steering problems

[xtalman]

Just found this site, looks like a lot of knowledge here, hopefully you guys can help me with my problem.

My car (1993 Legacy L Sedan M/T with 91,000 miles) pulls HARD to the right, and the steering wheel vibrates pretty much at any speed above 20 mph. It has done this for a long time, and noone has been able to fix it. I've tried the following to try to eliminate the problems:

1) Balanced wheels
2) Rotated tires
3) Replaced all tires (twice!)
4) Got the car aligned
5) Changed out the half-shafts
6) Checked brakes

But the pulling is still there. I have to hold the steering wheel about 15 degrees to the left to keep the car straight. I imagine I should check something with the steering, but I don't know what to check for specifically. What about wheel bearings? Maybe the shocks?

Anyone know of a good Subaru mechanic in Houston? or somewhere else in Texas?

[evolutionmovement]

Bent rims can balance out on a machine, but would vibrate still. As for the pulling, you may have something slightly bent where it aligns when static but moves when in motion. I would assume they checked the balljoints for the alignment, but it's always better to check yourself. Jack up each front wheel and try to move it vertically. If there's any movement you have a bad balljoint. Might as well check the tie rod ends while there by trying to move the wheel side to side. The only movement should be resistance against the rack. Any easy play points to a tie rod. If you look underneath (and maybe have someone else shake it as sometimes you can't do both if the problem isn't really bad yet) you can see if the movement is at the wheel or at the steering rack (outer and inner tie rods respectively).

I regularly drive the American equivalent of the road to Kabul and the potholes have only messed my alignment up this year (this was two BIG holes. One pot hole on the highway nearby took out the wheels on about a dozen cars) so these cars usually don't need to be realigned unless something actually is bad.

Steve

[xtalman]

Thanks! I'll give those suggestions a shot. I've had my car re-aligned twice, tires replaced twice. But I don't think these guys really spent much time inspecting the suspension.

[206er]

has it ever been hit? maybe the car is bent.

[jmaziarz]

xtalman, I have exactly the same car with exactly the same problem. Does your speedometer needle "wobble" at speeds < 40MPH too? I am in the process of finding a fix but if you beat me to it please share. Thanks.

-Jeremy

[xtalman]

Answers to questions:

Someone backed into the right side of my car in a parking lot once. Their insurance fixed it, and it seemed to be fine. That was about 75,000 miles ago. I have 91,500 miles on it.

I'll check the speedometer to see if it wobbles. I haven't really paid much attention to it (or much time less than 70 mph). I usually take my motorcycle everywhere, and the car for trips out of town.

I'm going to take the car for an estimate in-town. I'll let you know what he says.

[xtalman]

Well, it turned out to be a bent wheel. Replacing it got rid of almost all of the vibration, but it still pulls the to right a little - not nearly as severely. I'm going to get a steering wheel puller and adjust it to see what happens.

[skid542]

If you car is pulling, changing the location of the steering wheel itself won't do squat other than 'appear' to be driving straight. I had a bad upper bearing in my front strut one time that would cause a constant pull while driving. Phil is right about the alignment, I've hit a 7" deep 16" long hole at 60mph once when I had to get to the side of a country road for another guy. Talk about a hell of a bang and noise but no damage. BTW, I've got a 93NA, MT, FWD, with 211k on it, take care of yours and it'll last forever.

[jmaziarz]

Well, it turned out to be a bent wheel. Replacing it got rid of almost all of the vibration...

Hmm. I wonder if that is what could be wrong with my Subie too. I have had almost all of the front suspension parts replaced, new tires, etc and the problem keeps returning.

Is a bent wheel easy to spot? If so, I am surprised that the tire installers didn't see it. I'll have mine checked too. Thanks for the heads up.

-Jeremy

[evolutionmovement]

Depends on the machine and the operator's attention. You can get flat spots on the inside, which is unlikely to be spotted and warped wheels that are only visible when spinning on the machine. Some POS machines cover the tire when it spins and stop it as soon as you pull the cover so it's very difficult to spot warp.

Steve

[xtalman]

Hmm. I wonder if that is what could be wrong with my Subie too. I have had almost all of the front suspension parts replaced, new tires, etc and the problem keeps returning.

Is a bent wheel easy to spot? If so, I am surprised that the tire installers didn't see it. I'll have mine checked too. Thanks for the heads up.

-Jeremy

Well, the last place I took my car for the 60,000 mile maintenance also damaged three wheel studs and lugnuts on two different wheels and didn't tell me. This time I brought it to a place recommended by the local car club and they were much more thorough.

Re: fixing the steering. I didn't tell the whole story, but I have a suspicion that the last place I got the alignment just changed the position of the steering wheel to shut me up. I'll never go back there again.

I have now spent time learning to do my own maintenance work, at least as much as I can. Not too much experience with professional auto mechanics, but the majority have been bad.