AT_RSX_06

Was at the track the other day and ran into a very strange steering issue. Car seems to take right turns perfectly. But wont turn left.

Mostly stock EM1 w/ 75k miles, bolt ons and tune, camber kits all around. OEM sway bars. Running new gram lights and proxes r888.

As soon as I start entering a left turn at speed the car starts to turn and suspension feels normal but all of a sudden there is a pop/clunk noise and the car just goes strait. It isn't just understeer because it is not gradual whatsoever. It goes from full grip to zero grip. Literally feels like I hit an ice patch all of the sudden. When it happens I have very little control of the car. Steering input is useless and brakes are near useless. Like I said, feels like the car is on ice. Once I return the steering wheel to a strait position there is another small pop/clunk and steering is back to normal. I cant tell is the clunk is on the left or right or front or back. I need to do more testing in an open area.

Just had alignment done at a very reputable racing shop and confirmed with the tech that specs are accurate. Definitely passes a visual test also. Looks very even all around so I know for sure, while its sitting alignment is in spec.

Tried swapping wheels front to back to see if the tire was bad (not likely, I know, but rules out tires/wheels) and it still acts exactly the same. Last track day around 2 weeks ago the car drove perfectly normal. I have done very little street driving between track events and have not hit any hard dips/bumps etc. Seems to drive fine at low speeds/low pressure on suspension. Only happens when there is stress on the suspension (hard cornering). I thought it might be the rack and pinion but when the car is resting it will full lock in both directions evenly. I tried jacking up the front passenger corner so see if there is play in the wheel bearing/suspension but it feels nice and solid. Also front camber kits are even and have no signs of sliding.

CLIFFNOTES: So under normal driving conditions alignment is great and car drives great. Under suspension load during left cornering there is a pop/clunk and it seems that the alignment is far out because the car wont turn or brake, it just goes strait as if it was on a patch of ice. Returning the wheel to strait there is another pop/clunk and steering returns to normal. When parked/stopped/slow driving alignment seem to be perfect and wheel full locks evenly in both directions. No noticeable play in front wheel bearings/ball joints.

Thanks for your ideas guys!

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

When this problem occurs, do the wheels actually snap straight? Test it in an open parking lot with a friend watching your wheels, see what happens.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

You probably have a loose camber joint or rear toe joint or something. Get it set on an alignment rack again. I bet all the specs are way off of where you started.

Or... you could always check for loose joints/bolts.

I'm always looking for loose joints

tony_2018

You need to go to track day again but with a camera facing the wheel in question to see what its doing.