Car suddenly pulling to right and left

[Jand3rson]

You and I are in the same boat. Everything up front on my car is new, except for the rack. But the rack is dry, there are no leaks, no fluid in the boots, my reservoir is full, and I couldn't even tell you the last time I filled it.

[e30this]

go back through and check to make sure all of your bolts are tight

[e30this]

oh yeah, subframe an all

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

go back through and check to make sure all of your bolts are tight

I actually did

I thought it was a loose tie-rod adjuster so I took it in for alignment warranty and turns out it was tight. So I double checked every suspension related nut/bolt/ball joint while the car was up on the lift.

[Jand3rson]

I just jacked mine up and checked all of that too, and everything was still just as tight as when it was installed. Could it be the car has just pulled itself out of alignment? The stuff was all installed last summer, driven for a few months including up to Seattle and back, and then parked in the garage until just a month or so ago.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

I got my alignment 8 days ago

this started happening 3 days ago

not alignment related, we double checked the numbers when I went in for realignment warranty

[DCColegrove]

1. Swap the tires R to L see if the pull changes with it.

2. center and unload the steering wheel, touch it lightly while starting the engine (you are checking for a jump in the wheel) if it jumps even very slightly its the valving in the rack (very rare but it happens).

EDIT: To OP How low is your car? are your front control arms flat or higher at the outer joint than the inner? And how are your rear sub-frame bushings?

[Jand3rson]

I'll do both of those things tomorrow, thanks for the tips.

My car isn't super low, it's on IE3 springs and Koni SA's. The control arms aren't flat, but they're close. Like I said, I'm not slammed. The rear subframe bushings are definitely due, as are the trailing arm bushings.

[DCColegrove]

I'll do both of those things tomorrow, thanks for the tips.....

Let me know how it goes.

One other thing I thought of: while you're at it check the front sub-frame mounting bolts (sub-frame to frame rails) I have seen them come loose on occasion.

[rede30]

i am watching this thread closely, after my car sat for close to a year, it had these symptom's. Front suspension is pretty new and i got it aligned but it still does it. It is hard to even go freeway speeds, really scary, esp with a decent power plant like the s50.

[Jand3rson]

It's not doing it to a dangerous amount, nowhere near it. It's just something very noticeable while driving, and mildy irritating.

[AndrewBird]

Did you check you lug nuts? I would think the wheels would have fallen off by now if they were loose, but...

If you need a smooth long road to test on, Skyliner road out past Mt. Washington drive has a 1-2 mile smooth spot.

[Jand3rson]

Damn Andy, that's a good call. I never even thought of that. I'll check them first thing today.

But the other day when I had it up in the air, I tried shaking each of the front wheels all around, and they didn't move around at all.

[aproy]

so its been a year...

did you figure it out? im having the same issue right now... just about exactly the same

[etxxz]

damm...found a thread.

I was doing my brakes yesterday and checked the car while on jackstands.

When the engine is off the rack doesnt turn smoothly from lock to lock like butter like it did before. This suggests that either crap is on the steering shaft U-joints or the rack itself is bad.

Does your wheel center properly when you are turning out of a turn, parking etc? Mine does ex for the center 90degrees (45degrees from center in either direction). It also does the right to left randomness but very minor.

I tried lubricating, nothing, joints seem very loaded with crap. I might have to stick a pressure cleaner on it.

does any of this sound familiar to anyone?