nitrotang

iTrader: (2)

I've had 4 alignments done within the last 5 months and my steering wheel keeps going off-centered. The first 3 times, the shop would align everything to spec, but within a week, the steering wheel would be at a 15 degree angle to the right to steer straight. The 4th time I brought it back to them in June, they said they found out that the upper control arm on the driver side was loose so they tightened that and it's been fine up until about a week ago. Now my steering wheel is back at the 15 degree angle to the right. is the alignment shop not doing something right or is there something loose in my steering/alignment setup?

On a side note, I also noticed after they tightened the upper control arm, whenever I turned at slow speeds/park or applied the brakes, the passenger side would make a creak and clunk sound. I checked underneath and my bushings are fine.

jonathanz

iTrader: (2)

you should bring it to another shop and let them check all your balljoints see if they're okay, maybe some arms are bent?

nitrotang

iTrader: (2)

I brought it to another shop where I go for my oil changes and they jacked up my car and knocked against the wheels and ball joints to see if they could hear any of the sounds I described, but there was nothing.

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

Could your steering wheel not be tightened on completely? Just a side thought.

skottydznt

iTrader: (11)

somethings loose for sure. I'd take it to another shop for another look over.

nitrotang

iTrader: (2)

I called the shop and they said they would take a look at it again free of charge. I'll double check with them about the steering wheel not tightened.

sjgIS350

steering wheel not tightened? Uh..not likely…

Steering wheels mount on a shaft that has splines so it can't 'move around'..If it was loose it would move in/out (towards the driver) not side to side..

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Front cross-member loose?

nitrotang

iTrader: (2)

I got the car back from the shop and they said they tightened the passenger upper control arm. The 3rd time I went in for a re-alignment, they only tightened the driver side (don't know why they didn't tighten both of them at the same time). The steering feels a lot "stiffer" and when going over bumps, my steering wheel won't go left and right as loosely as it did before. That seems to have solved the problem.. hopefully.