I replaced the shock on my 2001 Civic. I bought all factory parts. I took out the shock/spring myself and took it to a shop to have it put back together since I didn't have a real spring compressor. After I put it back together, whenever I turn the steering wheel the right side the spring/shock is getting caught and the wheel isn't turning freely as it should. The car also seems to have memory steering where it will pull to the left after a left turn, and pull to the right after a right turn.

The only part that was reused was the spring itself. The shock, the mounting plate, the bearing, etc are all brand new, Honda OEM. I've already taken it back to the shop once and watched the owner, a previous Honda master mechanic assembly the shock assembly. I know he's not taking any shortcuts, he's very thorough. What could possibly be the problem? I just don't understand. Why is the shock assembly binding?

 

In case anybody is curious, I took the car back to the shop, and it turns out that the plate that goes on top of the shock was turned in the wrong direction, that's why it was binding.