Steering problems AFTER alignment
Thread Starter
15000
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 6
From: Dorset, UK.
Steering problems AFTER alignment
Just had 2 new tyres and wheel alignment done on my 2009 focus.
The car now drives like a death trap....
When going into a roundabout, the stability control is coming on.
When accelerating on straight road, the car veers off sideways!
Prior to having the alignment done I had replaced a lower control arm on one side.
No issues driving, but the steering was no longer centred, so I took it in for alignment.
Toe in on the side with the new arm was -1.4 (it was more I think, but it maxed out the machine?).
After alignment, all good, until I got it out on the road.
I am going back again tomorrow, but if it's reading ok on the machine, what do I do?
The car now drives like a death trap....
When going into a roundabout, the stability control is coming on.
When accelerating on straight road, the car veers off sideways!
Prior to having the alignment done I had replaced a lower control arm on one side.
No issues driving, but the steering was no longer centred, so I took it in for alignment.
Toe in on the side with the new arm was -1.4 (it was more I think, but it maxed out the machine?).
After alignment, all good, until I got it out on the road.
I am going back again tomorrow, but if it's reading ok on the machine, what do I do?
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,501
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From: Colchester,essex
Check they actually lined it up to the right specs.
I would say potentially you didnt tighten something up right when putting it back together but if it drove fine after other than a squiffy steering wheel then you can write that off.
Were the new tyres put on the front or rear?
I would say potentially you didnt tighten something up right when putting it back together but if it drove fine after other than a squiffy steering wheel then you can write that off.
Were the new tyres put on the front or rear?
10K+ Poster!!
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 10,837
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From: Guildford
Get them to check everything and whilst on the ramp measure all the parts you can...maybe something is on the car that shouldn't be.
I had 4x4 control arms off an xr4x4, should have been cossie
I had 4x4 control arms off an xr4x4, should have been cossie
Thread Starter
15000
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 6
From: Dorset, UK.
Well the control arm was a lemforder as specified by euro car parts but I didn't measure it to the mm to be sure! It defo looked identical.
No difference after fitting it and the car drove perfect.
New tyres were on the front.
I have a quick look to see if anything is loose, but all I can see is the marks on the track rod nut where they adjusted it. They only did one side.
No difference after fitting it and the car drove perfect.
New tyres were on the front.
I have a quick look to see if anything is loose, but all I can see is the marks on the track rod nut where they adjusted it. They only did one side.
Thread Starter
15000
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 6
From: Dorset, UK.
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Thread Starter
15000
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 6
From: Dorset, UK.
Turns out it was my bad!
For some reason, I didn't notice that the replacement suspension arm had an 18mm taper ball joint instead of a 21mm.
Despite it fitting and driving fine for a month. Sods law I hadn't tried to fit a 21mm into an 18mm taper and spotted my mistake first time round.
When the alignment was done, it must have shifted resulting in the ball joint becoming slightly loose.
I just put the right arm on - ECP site shows both arms for the same reg of the car but you have to dig into the details to find that they have different tapers on the ball joints. (which is also annoying)
There was a good online discount, so the new, new arm was only Ł88 for a TRW made arm.
You live and learn.
Protyre Poole were very good, doing the tracking three times (laser 4 while alignment, with new kit), for the price of one. They spotted the play in the ball joint on my second visit.
For some reason, I didn't notice that the replacement suspension arm had an 18mm taper ball joint instead of a 21mm.
Despite it fitting and driving fine for a month. Sods law I hadn't tried to fit a 21mm into an 18mm taper and spotted my mistake first time round.
When the alignment was done, it must have shifted resulting in the ball joint becoming slightly loose.
I just put the right arm on - ECP site shows both arms for the same reg of the car but you have to dig into the details to find that they have different tapers on the ball joints. (which is also annoying)
There was a good online discount, so the new, new arm was only Ł88 for a TRW made arm.
You live and learn.
Protyre Poole were very good, doing the tracking three times (laser 4 while alignment, with new kit), for the price of one. They spotted the play in the ball joint on my second visit.
