97 Civic EX

Felt some play in the steering and noticed alignment was off so I toke it in to les schwab for a shake down. Needed new tie rod ends. They replaced both sides then put it up on the rack to find out by passenger side is out of caster.

I then toke it down to a frame and alignment place to do the work. Spent $300 on all the adjustments they did and the alignment was still off. So back to the shop I went and they test drove and put it back on the rack about 4 or 5 times before giving me the keys, but when I drove the car home it's still not aligned. I don't know what to do. Is it something else maybe and not the alignment?

I just want to be able to drive straight. Right now I can turn on my blinker and let go of the wheel to switch lanes on the freeway.

 

Was it ever in an accident?

 

Yeah, sounds like you have a bent/damaged suspension component.

 

I dont think so but I just bought the car a couple weeks ago so there is a possibility. since I dont know the history.

Just kind of weird that both of the shops didn't find the problem. Although Les Schwab pointed out that the crossmember looked newer.

looks like the engine could have been swapped out as well. stock though.

 

Sounds like a good time to grab some gsr front knuckles and do a brake upgrade. I went through basically the same thing that you're describing and wound up replacing both front knuckles to fix the problem. Definitely a bent suspension component.

 

I'm experiencing the same issue. My del Sol pulls to the left a little when trying to drive straight. Just Tires said that my alignment would always be off a degree. I get rubbing when the wheel is turned to its max as well (can't remember if it's when turned left/right).

I too suspect a bent component. Taking it to my mechanic tmrw morning to inspect.

 

The first shop told you that the caster was off. On our Civics, you can't adjust the caster, just the toe. This suggests that you have a damaged suspension.

 

Yeah thats why when the first shop said that I toke it to a specailist in doing frame and alignments. They charged me $300 to tinker with it and though they would have fixed it.

Since it's off by 1.3 degrees I don't think I'm going to visually find the problem.