my steering has me baffled, please help

[engine guy]

03 P5 with 65,000 miles.the car seams to pull to both directions,If I turn left it veers to the left, If I turn to the right it veers to the right, I just got new tires and two different shops checked the alignment and was well within specs, no need to change any thing there, all suspension is tight, lugnuts are torqued to spec and fluid in ps pump is good.Any body else have this problem or any suggestions?

 

[macklum]

Just keep it straight and dont turn then it wont pull ,lol Your post is rather funny if you read it closely ,you may want to reword it

 

[Falango]

Are you trying to say it pulls to either the left or right when you let go of the wheel?? Find a very flat road and try it out, the crown in the road will pull it to the side naturally, same goes for a well driven road with tracks worn in.

 

[sephiroth]

most roads are not completly flat by nature, thus in order to drive straight most of the time it will require you to have the wheel turned one direction or the other

 

[Rusty]

I have a similar problem with my '02 P5. I always test it going straight down the center of the crown, usually on the freeway. It usually drifts to the right at any speed on most roads. When it does, I have to keep a very slight pressure on the wheel to keep it straight. On other roads it goes straight or drifts left, but not as hard as when it goes right. The tires are fairly new Kumhos, but I think she was doing this with the old Nankangs and I just didn't think much of it at the time. Goodyear swears they need no alignment.

Even if they're not scrubbing, a car should track to where you point it going down a straight road. We may have the same miss-ajustment or whatever it is, I'd like to get it cleared up too.

Let us know if you fix it, engine guy.

 

[Rusty]

most roads are not completly flat by nature, thus in order to drive straight most of the time it will require you to have the wheel turned one direction or the other

I keep telling myself that, but this is noticeably worse. I've been driving a long time, and I'm downright anal about handling.

I'd like to add to my previous post by saying I check my air pressure with all 4 tires cold and in the shade. I run 34 in the front and 32 in the rear.

 

[tonybonekhang]

Are you coasting when you're turning or are you appling gas? If you're accelerating the torque steer and physics in general will make the car want to go that way.

 

[Falango]

Check your tires too, if ya got a low tire, it will pull.

 

[engine guy]

Ok, So after I have made a lane change and am now going straight again the car wants to pull to the direction that I just turned. It does not pull while Im turning, That would just sound stupid!(thanks Maclum).I realize that roads are not perfectly flat but it does not matter what road or what speed im traveling it always does it.aLL tire pressure is at 32#.

 

[engine guy]

I would like to ad that it is not torque steer, driving at 25 or 80 it does it just the same.

 

[macklum]

Sounds like the rack is sticking

 

[engine guy]

is there a way to test this before spending $600?is there any shuttle valves that could be changed that you know of instead of the entire rack?

 

[engine guy]

do you know where the least expensive place to buy one is?

 

[Falango]

You're probably looking at replacing it if it is the rack. Take it to a shop and have it looked at.

 

[Rusty]

What about the brakes dragging, I just thought of that. I might open mine up and lube the slide pins. When I step on my brakes, the car will straighten up and stay straight until it comes to a complete stop. What does yours do engine guy?

 

[Alejo_NIN]

what a funny post....
lol

alot of bulls*** deleted...

 

[ForceFed]

Whaaattt?.....The rack does not "Self Center"

The alignment is auctually what causes the wheel to recenter itself while you are driving.
I forget which technical aspect of it does this..but part ot the Alignment specs causes this action.

Do not Replace a rack until it is VERIFIED that it has a problem.

Typically..If the rack has a problem..you will know it.....By it being very loose, popping..or it leaks.
There isn't much to them...and I would put good money on it that your problem IS NOT in the Rack..But rather other parts.

Have you checked the Tie rod ends for play?
These can wreak Havoc on an alignment and cause exactly what you are describing.

How are these shops telling you your alingment is OK?
Are hey putting it onto an alignment rack and installing all 4 heads?

If not..go to a shop that will.

Also have them inspect and check all front end parts....Tie rods, outer and inner, ball joints and control arms and bushings.
I suspect you may find something here.

How many miles does your car have on it?

 

[Falango]

Do not Replace a rack until it is VERIFIED that it has a problem.

You know, that's the case with alot of parts, lol.

 

[ForceFed]

You know, that's the case with alot of parts, lol.

Well..No poo!

I mean the post before mine..he made it sound like..oh well...You should for sure ,At Minimum , replace the rack...

Like thats a quick and easy job on our cars..LOL.
Especially since its not likely the problem.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

it is actually quiet easy to replace the rack...

and well...yea, now that you mention it...my post was mostly bulls***...

i'll delete it.