Alignment or Steering Rack?; Suspension sound?
12-18-2009, 12:31 PM
#1
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Alignment or Steering Rack?; Suspension sound?
Vehicle: 95 Accord Vtec, 4 dr sedan Ex, AT
I have some possible alignment, steering, and suspension sounds that might be related ... not sure? I dont know very much about Steering and Alignment systems. Regardless, I still need to deal with the problems:
Alignment or Steering:
The steering wheel is not centered when the wheels are pointing straight or when I am going straight on a road. If I put the steering wheel in the straight position the car veers to the left. It may be that the last alignment shop aligned the car but did not make sure the steering wheel was straight before they did the alignment. So I really dont know if the car is aligned properly or not. Anyway, I'm going to get the alignment checked. In the meantime, I read something in the in the archives about the steering: QUOTE: "If your steering wheel is crooked ... your steering rack may need adjusting." So, I'm not sure if it is an alignment issue, but maybe a steering system issue. The service manual shows an adjustment procedure for the steering rack guide. Seems you need a Honda SST, looks like a 40mm, 0 degree offset long box wrench, part # 07916-SA50001. Is this particualr Honda tool needed? ... Is a rack guide adjustment a necessary preventative maintenance, something I should check? Above all, is it a doable thing for a non-tech shadetree, or is it something that is best left to a steering specialist? I wonder if an alignment includes this check?
Suspension sound:
I get this sound when the front tires/wheels go over a slightly raised road surface, like at the transition from road to bridge on the highway, or upon entering a service station where the curbs are about an inch high. The sound goes bing just once and nothing more, seems very odd. Kinda like a tuning fork sound that stopped before it can vibrate but long enough that you can hear it. Doesn't seem like it is anything I will be able to do anything about until it gets worse and something becomes more obvious. I was just wondering what it might be.
I have some possible alignment, steering, and suspension sounds that might be related ... not sure? I dont know very much about Steering and Alignment systems. Regardless, I still need to deal with the problems:
Alignment or Steering:
The steering wheel is not centered when the wheels are pointing straight or when I am going straight on a road. If I put the steering wheel in the straight position the car veers to the left. It may be that the last alignment shop aligned the car but did not make sure the steering wheel was straight before they did the alignment. So I really dont know if the car is aligned properly or not. Anyway, I'm going to get the alignment checked. In the meantime, I read something in the in the archives about the steering: QUOTE: "If your steering wheel is crooked ... your steering rack may need adjusting." So, I'm not sure if it is an alignment issue, but maybe a steering system issue. The service manual shows an adjustment procedure for the steering rack guide. Seems you need a Honda SST, looks like a 40mm, 0 degree offset long box wrench, part # 07916-SA50001. Is this particualr Honda tool needed? ... Is a rack guide adjustment a necessary preventative maintenance, something I should check? Above all, is it a doable thing for a non-tech shadetree, or is it something that is best left to a steering specialist? I wonder if an alignment includes this check?
Suspension sound:
I get this sound when the front tires/wheels go over a slightly raised road surface, like at the transition from road to bridge on the highway, or upon entering a service station where the curbs are about an inch high. The sound goes bing just once and nothing more, seems very odd. Kinda like a tuning fork sound that stopped before it can vibrate but long enough that you can hear it. Doesn't seem like it is anything I will be able to do anything about until it gets worse and something becomes more obvious. I was just wondering what it might be.
12-19-2009, 10:03 AM
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Alignment or Steering Rack?; Suspension sound?
might as well go with a life-time alignment, here in OR its about $125, where a one time alignment is already $70.
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