History: I just did a rear disc swap on my 88 DX, lifting the car up off all 4 wheels to do the brake bleeding. I never touched the front suspension.

Less than a day afterwards (might have been right afterwards, I was paying most of my attention to the brakes right after the swap) my steering wheel shifted alittle to the left when centered, and the front suspension feels kind of "loose" as if one or both wheels want to follow road grooves when the steering wheel is headed straight. It's fairly subtle, mainly happening over bumps and things, and I'd put my money on it being the right wheel.

The wheels feel solid trying to move them by hand on or off the ground, the lug nuts are torqued to spec and the tie-rods are about 2-3 years old with maybe 30-40k miles on them, they should be fine. I didn't hit anything, no loud noises led up to any of this, and the car still seems driveable, though I haven't tried highway speeds. I run 195/50/15 tires. Hope that's all the needed info.

Any ideas?

 

some thing is loose in the rear.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nobigtoe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">some thing is loose in the rear. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I torqued everything down to spec, and it really feels like the front of the car is having trouble.

Not that I'm some kind of vet. but welcome to the forums.

 

Well if your car was normal before, and you didnt touch the front, I'd say you might have some toe out in the rear.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fireant &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well if your car was normal before, and you didnt touch the front, I'd say you might have some toe out in the rear.</TD></TR></TABLE>

On that note, can breaking the bushings loose on the suspension arms mess up the alignment? Case in point: The compensator arm in this picture with the bolt that it warns not to remove. I didn't touch the bolt, but the bushing broke free while moving the arm down low enough to remove the bolt connecting it to the trailing arm.

 

How does it 'break free'?

If that compensator arm moved from it's original location, then yes, you may have a toe in/out situation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tyro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How does it 'break free'?

If that compensator arm moved from it's original location, then yes, you may have a toe in/out situation.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The bolt, metal tube, bushing and part are usually seized together.

I'm not even sure how that arm holds toe; Are the holes for that bolt variable? Considering how it has to move during suspension travel, I don't understand how up and down movement could affect the toe.

 

I see..

I think I got some ES or Prothane bushings to replace mine, as they were also rotted out.

You'll see that the 'do not remove' bolt can slide away or towards the center of the car, there is a (from memory here) 2 inch area to slide within.

So, it's not up/down, only side/side...that's where you get toe, but I'm sure you knew that already.

 

the bolt you are not supposed to remove actually slides in a grove from left to right, this is what they loosen and move when you get an alignment. if you didn't, i would get it aligned, any time you put new suspension components on a car no matter what they are its a good idea to have it checked.

as for the wondering, do you happen to have michelin tires? i know it sounds like a stupid question but believe it or not the side wall construction of michelins are diffrent that other tires, to give thema softer ride. but what happen is the lack power steering, and thus the lack of a steering dapening affect will cause crx's to wonder over the road. if i let my car go the steering wheel will meke a complete revelution if i don't hold onto it at some stop signs

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mrtoastyjr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">as for the wondering, do you happen to have michelin tires? i know it sounds like a stupid question but believe it or not the side wall construction of michelins are diffrent that other tires, to give thema softer ride. but what happen is the lack power steering, and thus the lack of a steering dapening affect will cause crx's to wonder over the road. if i let my car go the steering wheel will meke a complete revelution if i don't hold onto it at some stop signs </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm using Brigestone Potenza S-03s in the back and Yokohama AVS ES-1000s in the front. I know what you mean about the road groove following problem, I've just gotten used to passively counter steering to deal with it. The problem I'm having now is separate from that.

 

your rear alignment is way off. go to an alignment shop.

 

Yep, a quick inspection revealed that the bolt slid a little over a 1.5mm. There's an obvious spot in the underbody coating, think getting back in it's exact spot would be close enough?

 

Which compensator arm and upper arm did you use with the trailing arm swap? If it was from an integra I would suggest putting your stock arms back in place and maybe look into a polyurethene bushing set and most definately have a front/rear wheel alignment

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Deo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">, think getting back in it's exact spot would be close enough?</TD></TR></TABLE>

get an alignment done. or pay for new tires soon.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tyro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How does it 'break free'?

If that compensator arm moved from it's original location, then yes, you may have a toe in/out situation.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The bolt, metal tube, bushing and part are usually seized together.

I'm not even sure how that arm holds toe; Are the holes for that bolt variable? Considering how it has to move during suspension travel, I don't understand how up and down movement could affect the toe.

 

which bolt are you talking about?

 

Could it be that either bushing (part 16 in part 15 assembly)
is broken and toe is wandering about?

I say just replace the bushings with the prothane kit before you do an alignment.

I got mine from Summit, they arrived in two days, and the old ones came right out. No huge press needed. Bolt everything back up and align..see what happens.