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:silly: 2004 TSX. Recently installed 4 new yokohama avid envigor tires. All wheels balanced. Compliance bushings for both lower control arms replaced before 4 wheel alignment. While driving at 65 to 70 mph, the car seems to be pulling in different directions. As the suspension travel up and down for each wheel end, it feels like the car is zig zagging across the road.
What could be causing this? Do the compliance bushings need to be installed in a specific position? Could the alignment be set incorrect? Any suggestions to identify what is causing the problem?
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My first assumption would be the tires as long as the alignment was good. Did the shop give you a printout of the alignment?
Try rotating the tires and see if that changes anything otherwise it could be the tires themselves. Most tire shops have an adjustment procedure for ride discomfort, then you could try a different set of tires and that might solve the problem.
The shop showed me a print out of the alignment. But not to keep. I did not know what I was looking at. The service advisor was too busy running around; to explain.
Note. After mounting the new tires. The car was moving straight and stable. The only problem I was having was steering wheel vibration ( Wheels were out of balance ).
Thats why I thinking it may be a problem with the alignment or the compliance bushing installation.
Do anyone know the correct positioning of the compliance bushing in the lower control arm?
Can these bushing settle over time altering alignment dimensions ?
I will try your advice of rotating the tires.I don’t think you can put the bushings in wrong.
It could be the tires themselves. do you have another set
you can try?What tires did you have before? and their condition?
As the tires are the only thing in contact with the road; I’d suspect it’s your new tires as already mentioned.
Btw – a shop that doesn’t explain the results of an alignment for someone who doesn’t know; is not acceptable. At the very least let you keep a print-out.
I also notice the steering wheel is not exactly straight as before. While driving in a straight line (driving slow); the steering wheel points to the right.
I tried rotating the tires. Same problem.
Weekend I spend hours looking at the suspension, searching for loose or bent parts. I did noticed not all bolts were removed during the bushing replacement.There were pry marks on the frame. I can’t help but think the tech did a half job of not removing the lower control arm fully, pry the suspension to access the bushing. In the process slighty bending something else.I would say that it is hunting because the alignment was improperly done. If the toe is neutral it will exhibit this behavior. It is easy to pick the wrong specks from a book and botch the alignment. Your steering wheel should be centered when driving straight. The fact that it isn’t reflects badly on the shop. Either take it back to the shop that did the alignment or to a reputable facility. You might do a little research on the WEB before you pick a shop.
I bought the tires at a “The tire choice” location. I was not pleased with the service there. The tires were not properly balanced. Steering vibrated at highway speeds. When I told the service manager the problem I was experiencing, I was told it would be difficult to scheduled an appointment because they were very busy. I was not confident in taking the car back to them after what they did wrong (they tire prices they quoted online was a lie, no new valve stems were installed as was agreed upon, wheels were not torque to specification as their policy indicated and the no care of my car as it was parked; left in gear with the park brake released. The shop was nasty. Old oil drums were stored 2 feet next to my car were it was being worked on).
Later I schedule an appointment at a Acura dealership to have the wheels balanced and aligned. Before I took it to the dealership. The only problem I had was a terrible steering wheel vibration at highway speeds. I asked the dealer to inspect if the tires were properly installed on the rims. They told me they were. They found the compliance bushing starting to crack. The bushings were replaced before alignment. After the acura dealership. The wheels were now properly balanced, no steering wheel vibration. But it felt unstable at highway speeds as the suspension travel over unever surfaces. Feels like the car is zig zagging across the lane and I have to constantly make correction to try to drive in a straight line. Lately I contacted the dealer to advice of the problem I was having. My information was taken ( name, phone # e-mail ) , and I was told someone would contact and assist me. The only contact I received was them trying to sell me a oil change service.
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