[95_SilverBird]

The front end seems to be unsure meaning wanting to deviate from a strait line to either the right or the left, many times switching between the two. This is most prominent on the highway. An alignment was just done a few weeks ago. (Day after I did upper control arms due to ripped boots and loose front end.) Lower control arms were done by a shop about 2 months ago. I am at a loss now as where to look. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Chris_Murder]

unbalanced tires, inproper cast/camber/toe-in?

 

[95_SilverBird]

Both those were done during the alignment. There is no vibration so its not a tire. I trust the alignment because it was one of those computer machines I always go to and have the same guy do it. He also prints out the final spec sheet for me to keep. Also tire pressure is kept at 44psi hot.

 

[racecougar]

If it isn't pulling to one specific side, which it sounds like it isn't, I'm guessing that the alignment shop didn't dial in enough caster in the front suspension.

-Rod

 

[silverbird97]

Was it the laser alighnment machine or was it the one where they put the heads on it and compensate them manually? If it is the one with the heads then there is a good chance that them may be off by a hair.

At my last job we kept having people come back saying the wheel wasnt straight. It turned out that the head was droped by our alignment guy from about 6 inchnes to one foot off the ground. It didnt throw it off enough to be noticed at low speeds but higher speeds it did. It may not be noticeable to you or your mechanic when he did the alignment that it is off, but it very well could be. Just a heads up.

 

[95_SilverBird]

It was a laser machine. Caster is at +5.2 left and +5.7 right. What would be the ideal alignment specs for highway driving?

 

[racecougar]

As long as those specs are correct (the machine isn't off), then your caster is within spec.

-Rod

 

[lightevergreenfrost]

Could be air pressure in the tires too. At highway speeds it will more noticable.

 

[MadMikeyL]

Also check the strut rod bushings. When they wear out, the lower control arm can move front-back a bit and make the car feel really unstable, especially when braking or going over bumps. They are a cheap fix if you do it yourself, but they are a bit of a PITA to replace, espeically without a lift.

Mike

 

[95_SilverBird]

It finally warmed a bit up here and I crawled under the car. It seems that when the shop said they did the LCA's they really did the Tension Strut. The photo is the LCA bushing to frame. Is some gap there normal or could this be my problem?

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