As a new member, I may have placed my similar post on the wrong forum this morning. I apologize if this is a duplication for some of you, but I'd really appreciate some opinions/answers.
Since purchasing my Mazda 3 (April 2004), I've had to hold the steering wheel slightly to the left to keep the vehicle tracking straignt. Recently, Mazda made a "toe" adjustment (without my approval) to compensate for road crown. The adjustment was unsuccessful -- I still had to hold the wheel to the left. Unfortunately, this adjustment changed the steering from tight, direct and precise to light, loose and sloppy. I complained, and although the service tech said the steering was fine (after a short drive around the block at slow speed), the toe angle was readjusted. The steering is slightly better, but not much. Also, the steering wheel wobbles loosely from side to side in response to dips in the road, and I find myself concentrating to hold it steady. The wheel doesn't consistently return to position after turning, so I sometimes have to shuffle it back into to place to keep the vehicle from continuing to veer off in the turn direction (something I don't recall having to do before). Could I be imagining this?
Has anyone else experienced having to hold the steering wheel off-centre to keep their Mazda3 tracking straight on most roads? If the toe angle is now adjusted within Mazda specs (assuming previously it was not), why has my Mazda lost the steering characteristics this vehicle is known for? If the handling I previously enjoyed was only a result of the toe angle being "too toed in", why did all four vehicles I test drove have the same tight, direct steering mine used to have? Could anything else be causing my current dissatisfaction with the steering? Up to this point, I've loved this car.
Since purchasing my Mazda 3 (April 2004), I've had to hold the steering wheel slightly to the left to keep the vehicle tracking straignt. Recently, Mazda made a "toe" adjustment (without my approval) to compensate for road crown. The adjustment was unsuccessful -- I still had to hold the wheel to the left. Unfortunately, this adjustment changed the steering from tight, direct and precise to light, loose and sloppy. I complained, and although the service tech said the steering was fine (after a short drive around the block at slow speed), the toe angle was readjusted. The steering is slightly better, but not much. Also, the steering wheel wobbles loosely from side to side in response to dips in the road, and I find myself concentrating to hold it steady. The wheel doesn't consistently return to position after turning, so I sometimes have to shuffle it back into to place to keep the vehicle from continuing to veer off in the turn direction (something I don't recall having to do before). Could I be imagining this?
Has anyone else experienced having to hold the steering wheel off-centre to keep their Mazda3 tracking straight on most roads? If the toe angle is now adjusted within Mazda specs (assuming previously it was not), why has my Mazda lost the steering characteristics this vehicle is known for? If the handling I previously enjoyed was only a result of the toe angle being "too toed in", why did all four vehicles I test drove have the same tight, direct steering mine used to have? Could anything else be causing my current dissatisfaction with the steering? Up to this point, I've loved this car.
