for awhile now i've been trying to track down why my car wants to go to the right. finally got a chance to take it to a very reputable alignment shop. after 2 hours they gave me my car back
- the alignment was set to spec. they had no problem with getting every setting correct, the difference between the left and right were negible
- they switched tires to see if it could have been a tire problem
- they tried varying settings and under different conditions - braking, accelerating, cruising in. they don't think it's the diff or anything like that
the technician's best guess (although he admits he has no proof) is something in the power steering rack. basically the car goes straight, and then suddenly it's like the steering mechanism turns the steering to the right a little. he said to get the steering system pressurized (they didn't have the equipment to do this).
i called my mechanic and he said he's never really seen the steering rack go bad and that he doesn't have the equip. to do the pressure test either. and also warned me that a steering rack is very expensive.
anybody have any comments? anybody know what this special equipment is?
i guess the good thing is that since all my alignment specs are good the car handles fine except this magical force that turns the wheel a little.
|