Car keeps losing alignment

[Ex-User (107751)]

Hi,
My ph2 172 is losing alignment consistently in the same way every time -
About 2-3 months after doing an alignment-
I have to steer a few degrees to the left to go straight,
The car pulls to the right the moment I leave the steering wheel,
And the steering wheel starts to pull very hard when the road isn't even.
The overall feel you get is inaccurate weird steering.
This happened once, I then changed tires and did another alignment, and the same happened.
I'm not driving on especially bad roads, I do avoid pot holes as much as I can ...
What could be wrong with the car ? 2 garages visually inspected the suspension and couldn't see anything wrongs.

 

[VR46-G@Z]

Only thing I can think of other than that is a sticky brake calliper, that can make your car pull to one side. But you'll normally here squeeking from the right brake if the car is pulling right.

 

[imprezaworks]

Take it someone who knows what they are doing. Get them to check all the suspension components. Dont worry if it's more than the £25 offer the local ats are offering. Not saying you did this btw. Pay more=less hassle imo, most if the time

Where are you based?

 

[VR46-G@Z]

Hey @imprezaworks don't be nasty to ats, our local ats guys are brilliant! :smile::up:

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,
My ph2 172 is losing alignment consistently in the same way every time -
About 2-3 months after doing an alignment-
I have to steer a few degrees to the left to go straight,
The car pulls to the right the moment I leave the steering wheel,
And the steering wheel starts to pull very hard when the road isn't even.
The overall feel you get is inaccurate weird steering.
This happened once, I then changed tires and did another alignment, and the same happened.
I'm not driving on especially bad roads, I do avoid pot holes as much as I can ...
What could be wrong with the car ? 2 garages visually inspected the suspension and couldn't see anything wrongs.

Do you have front shocks with a slotted top hole to adjust camber?
Could be the bolts are not tight enough.

 

[jesus]

Did you replace both tyres at the same time? So they now have the same treads?

 

[imprezaworks]

Hey @imprezaworks don't be nasty to ats, our local ats guys are brilliant! :smile::up:

I work next to one

 

[Bendunn]

Steering rack bushes, mine just keeped moving out of alignment slightly like yours after a while, turned out the rack with moving,
Car had only covered 40k so they had perished

 

[Ex-User (107751)]

Wouldn't worn steering rack bushes cause play when jerking the tire from 3-9 position or 6-12 ? Is it possible to change the bushes or you need to change the whole rack?
All 4 tires were replaced at the same time with Michelin PS3. Everything is stock on the car.
I don't thing a sticky brake is an option as the problem is consistent, the steering center doesn't change while braking . Also the front rims look the same in terms of brake dust, the same with the rears, no apparent difference from left to right.
I'm not from the UK btw, local garages are my last resort as there are very few professionals here and I really doubt they will find anything, I'm more into hearing multiple experiences of what part to try replacing.

 

[Bendunn]

i couldnt find any play wobbling the wheel, i ended up doing a full front end refresh and did the rack bushes last which cured the problem

 

[Ex-User (107751)]

Thanks, is it a big job to change the bushes ? Possible to change at home with good hands and basic tools ?

 

[Bendunn]

its fiddly but possible, i dont think i would of done it without a ratchet spanner tho!

 

[Ex-User (107751)]

I rule out steering rack bushes at the moment. The steering center changes massively on side slopes, so I believe camber is my problem.
Both driveshafts were found damaged. Could a faulty driveshaft that caused a violent on/off power application on one side knock the camber out of alignment?

 

[Ex-User (107751)]

Went to one of the best alignment specialists in my country, after an inspection he confirmed the rack bushes are shot - you simply let someone jerk the wheel left and right and watch if the rack moves around the bushes, it was very visible on mine.
After changing them the steering feels much better. Steering feels stiff and accurate - before the change it was much lighter when you begin to turn the wheel.
I would recommend anyone to inspect it this way, and change the bushes if there's any play. Fairly cheap if you change it yourself.
I would have to update in a few months to confirm if that was the reason I was losing alignment though.