Car pulls to the left after New tires and Alignment.

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Old Oct 12, 2013 | 11:57 AM
  #31  
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Update... So yesterday I decided to do a oil change and check under the car for movement. I found something odd. My steering knuckle doesn't move in sync with the rack and pinion. I had my son sit in the car and turn the wheel left and right while I observed under. When moving steering wheel the knuckle would move in sync but the rack pinion would move half second after steering knuckle...I could be blinking but I'm certain...do I see a issue with the knuckle? I couldn't get close enough to notice if there is suppose to be bushings anywhere on the knuckle..... I did order a new rack and pinion and have whiteline bushings coming....but what do I need to check with the knuckle to check for that extra movement
Old Oct 14, 2013 | 01:21 PM
  #32  
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From: Sunnyvale, CA
Car Info: 02 WRX Wagon
Originally Posted by hYpE-R-29
Correct..the car had a left impact accident about 1 year ago..
Are you stating something could still be bent?
Something is obviously still bent. Imagine your alignment angles as long sticks coming out of the dirt in 3D. The combination of that extra caster angle on the left, the little bit of toe in on that same wheel, and the SAI being a little bit off all together make it look like something is bent. My guess is it's the control arm or knuckle, as both can be bent and show no signs of distortion even under close inspection.


Originally Posted by hYpE-R-29
My steering knuckle doesn't move in sync with the rack and pinion.
The rack is just hanging there on rubber bushings, so when you turn the wheel it has to pick up the slop in the system first. It will compress the rubber damper on the steering column a little, it will push the knuckle/wheel a little until the tire resists turning, and then it will keep pushing until the rack itself starts sliding away from the direction it is pushing and you will see it shift in it's bushings. All that takes a half second to happen, which would explain the delay between the knuckle turning and the rack shifting on steering input.


Originally Posted by hYpE-R-29
So just came back from Alignment shop..They said the Caster was not adjustable?..wtf??

They also did find some play on the left tie rod that is attached to the rack and pinion...The mechanic staying in the car, while other looked at it..

When moving the steering wheel left and right, the left tie rod moved up and down.
The caster is not really "adjustable" on these cars in the sense that there is not a **** or bolt to turn. There is, however, a mounting point with slotted bolt holes. I'm talking about the rear transverse mount of the control arm, more commonly referred to as the "Anti Lift Kit" which replaces the OEM mount. Notice that there are two smaller holes behind the gold bracket, and they are slightly offset with one being further back and one a little more forward. To gain more positive caster (make the number bigger) you would push the gold bracket forward by loosening the mounting bolts slightly, and prying against the edge with a screwdriver stuck into that hole. Push forward from the hole that is further back and tighten the bolt next to it, then push from the hole that is further forward and tighten the other bolt. It's not a precise adjustment and it can be hard to get an exact angle this way.



Also, if you have aluminum control arms like these you can modify them for extra caster angle like I did.
Old Oct 16, 2013 | 10:46 AM
  #33  
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^^^awesome information man!...Cheers for that


They have the car on the rack right now, Im getting another rack and pinion right now. I will mentioned to them to double check the control arm and knuckle keep you posted.

Interesting on the Whiteline Anti Kit. Strange enough I ordered the Rack Bushings from Whiteline for the Rack to make sure no play was there. I should of ordered this kit aswell to correct the Caster.
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