I replaced the ball joints and tie rod on 97 civic and after that the wheel would not center.when I turn the wheel doesn't straighten out I got an alignment and still nothing could I have a bad rack I could use some help

 

Assuming nothing was damaged during your part replacement: take it back to the place you got it aligned and tell them to do their job. They should be able to fix that

 

Exactly, what EJ8 man said.

They should have centered the wheel and adjusted the tie rods to that. Sounds like they. had the steering wheel turned and now one tie rod is run in the other way out.

The wheel can be centered by adjusting both tie rod ends equally until the wheel centers, but that's there job.

but before we go too far with hanging the alignment shop, are we talking stock steering wheel has the steering wheel ever been off?

 

Everything is stock it's just when I make a turn it doesn't come back to the center automatically I under stand everything is new and stiff but before I did that the car would follow the road now I have to keep both hands on the wheel.

 

Check tie rods.

 

Are you sure you got an alignment....
When adjusting the toe / steering alignment, the steering wheel has to be braced in the center so you can adjust the tie-rods then.

 

I thin im giving the wrong impression my wheel is straight its just when i drive and make a turn the wheel use to straighten out it self out after the turn now it dosent I replaced ball joint and tierod on both sides

 

Which ball joints did you replace? Did you remove the upper arms? Sounds like a possible caster problem.

 

How did you put the ball joints in? Because it sounds like a seized ball joint or tie rod end. You can ruin a new ball joint hitting them in the center.

 

How would you know if the bj is seized

 

The rack not returning to center is usually a pretty good indicator. Separate the lower ball joints, can you move the stud with your hand? They should be stiff, but you should still be able to move them. If they're binding or you can't move them, there's something wrong.

 

I gonna check the bj this sat I hope that is it caused I banged them in with a hammer.

 

Autozone rents a tool (for free) to press your balljoints in.

 

I know I got it but its like a giant c clamp and it does not.work.

 

I had my gf take the car to pep boys today cause that's who did the alignment and they said it was good and my bj were to.I don't think they checked I going to have to check this weekend I just hope it the bj

 

If I can change mine out 2.5hrs from home in an Autozone parking lot with hand tools, you can figure it out from the comfort of your own home.

It works. Trust me.

There are two sets of tools you need to rent - one is the clamp, another has the adapter for Honda.

Have you changed wheels/tires recently? When I went from stock tires to 225/50/15 every bump on the road wanted to pull my steering wheel away from my grip

 

It was the ball joint thank god thanks for the help everyone