We bought this 2008 Element 4WD with 105k miles on it recently from a private party. The test drive was on fast surface streets and it felt great. On the way home I noticed it felt like it was moving from side to side ever so slightly on the highway. The feeling is mostly in the steering wheel but barely perceptible. Almost like it was trying to track in the drainage lines of the roadway. I'd let go of the wheel and it would still drive straight as an arrow, so it wasn't like the alignment was off. But that tiny wobble from side to side was there. The tires are almost new and it had no collisions (backed up by Carfax).

Now both my mom and sister had 2003 CRVs, one of them being 4WD. And I remember they always had rear tire wear issues, probably why Honda recommends rotations every oil change. I had rebuilt the engine in my mom's and I don't remember the same feel the times I drove it. So I'm thinking it's just the way the rear tires wear goofy and they haven't broken in yet? Or maybe the tread of the new tires really are trying to track with the drainage grooves in the roadway?

Any thoughts?

For now I'm just planning on giving the tires time to wear and see what happens since it drives straight and doesn't seem to be off on alignment.

 

That's funny, I feel my 2004 CR-V wanders at highway speed. It doesn't pull either way, it just doesn't want to hold a line. You kind of have to tack back and forth with it. I hate it.

 

Maybe because of it's short wheel base?

 

Have you checked tire pressures? 9/10 times my car is driving funny it's because of one low tire.

Have you had an alignment done to double check? The wheels do equalize each other to an extent so even if your alignment is out it will still drive straight.

 

If there is play in the steering check the tie rod ends. Check for play in the wheels. Check the ball joints and compliance bushings in the control arms. Worn compliance bushings will cause the car to wander and need steering corrections..

 

I did find something with mine. The large bolts that hold the subframe/cradle to the unibody were loose.

Tightening those helped but I think the fact that I have larger tires is adding to the instability.

 

I've mostly chalked it up to the new tires the PO put on. The problem seems to have calmed down as they've worn in. Bushings looked fine, but next chance I get I'll be checking for any loose hardware.

 

We bought a 2014 (new) CRV for my wife and just now a 2006 Element for me. Both give me the sensation of wandering on the road. Especially obvious on concrete pavement. Just the nature of the beast?

 

So much comes down to tires. Sizing , sidewall height and stiffness, tread squirm, etc.

 

Tire width if it's different that what your used to will track in the ruts in the road sometimes minimal sometimes drastic depending on width.

Berz out.