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Wandering Steering

M

masters18

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Location
UK
Car
Accord 2.4 Type S
A problem has developed on my Accord 2-3 months ago.
I have to make constant steering adjustments just to keep the car in a straight line. I have no issues on smooth and level roads only uneven and bumpy surfaces. The car pulls to either side and I have to compensate for the camber of a road.
I'm sure I can feel too many bumps through the steering too.

I have suffered this exact same problem on my previous car (2004 Renault Laguna) and spent a fortune on it replacing the steering rack, front dampers etc. Renault had the car on several occasions and after much head scratching and effort they could not fix it. That's when I gave up and changed my car for the Accord.

I'm at a loss as to why I have the same problem again - on a completely different car.

Mileage is not that high (63k). I have taken the car to a Honda dealer who could find nothing wrong and to a performance car specialist where again no problem was identified. I have had 4 wheel laser alignment but no improvement.

I have also experimented with tyre pressures but no luck.

Anyone with similar experiences or help/suggestions please reply as I'm at the end of my tether!
 
can be a number of things.

My accord tends to do that aswell, but i think different tyres give different feedback. also wheel size and tyre size can affect this. And also the bushes on the car. I had my old civic re-bushed and the car completely changed.
 
Is it definitely different than before - ie: has something changed suddenly?

Cos otherwise it's probably normal, the Accord seems to have a very sensitive setup which we've all commented on before that it tramlines and pulls etc. Some tyres affect it more than others, some people spend out on laser alignment and precision wheel balancing (like me) which helps a bit.
 
BlamesCL9 said:
can be a number of things.

My accord tends to do that aswell, but i think different tyres give different feedback. also wheel size and tyre size can affect this. And also the bushes on the car. I had my old civic re-bushed and the car completely changed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply. Which bushes did you replace and did you replace with originals or polyurethane?
 
HuskyMan said:
Is it definitely different than before - ie: has something changed suddenly?

Cos otherwise it's probably normal, the Accord seems to have a very sensitive setup which we've all commented on before that it tramlines and pulls etc. Some tyres affect it more than others, some people spend out on laser alignment and precision wheel balancing (like me) which helps a bit.
Click to expand...

Yes - it's definitely changed but I wouldn't say it's happened suddenly. I have just noticed it over a period of time. It was absolutely fine when I got it and for 9 months or so.
 
You can see most of the bushes looking through the wheel arch, if you know what you're looking for. The one at the front (compliance bush?) I know can cause pulling and torque steer etc.
 
masters18 said:
Thanks for reply. Which bushes did you replace and did you replace with originals or polyurethane?
Click to expand...

I replaced every bush in the car with poly ones. the car was 10 years old. so bushes wasnt in its best shape.
 
My car seems to drift whilst driving, but I notice it more on the motorway, where I am constantly having to correct my lane position, its also a bit strange when going around roundabouts where its like the steering is trying to auto straighten its self, not majorly but you do notice it.

I just put it down to over sensitive power steering and live with it??? but I guess I could have an issue?
 
Guys this happens on my 8th gen it also did it on my 7 th gen.I think it's just a Honda thing and bigger wheels like 18" tend to enhance this more.
 
I feel this in mine too, and its definately not characteristic of the car. only problem with mine is I think its more than one thing causing it, ie suspension bush and something in the steering. Its hard to pinpoint as i've found the parts don't always show obvious signs of wear.
 
Is your car lowered or on bigger wheels? I have lowering springs and 19 inch wheels, really considering going back to 17's and maybe even raising the suspension again. I've been told that over time large wheels and lowered suspension will mess up a car's handling! Don't shoot the messenger :p
 
Black Hawk said:
Is your car lowered or on bigger wheels? I have lowering springs and 19 inch wheels, really considering going back to 17's and maybe even raising the suspension again. I've been told that over time large wheels and lowered suspension will mess up a car's handling! Don't shoot the messenger :p
Click to expand...

My car has standard set up. Handling is fine when cornering, it's just a problem (pulling / looseness)when trying to go in a straight line!
 
Discodave said:
What tyres have you guys got fitted?
Click to expand...

Good Year on the front - came with the car and are still in reasonable shape. I recently replaced the other two with new Michelins which I originally put on the front but I've now swapped to the rear.
I've considered whether the tyres could be the answer and experimented with pressures a bit but I ruled this out as the problem has been consistent since before I replaced them and afterwards.
 
32psi is the ideal pressure for 17's, not sure what to say if you have swapped tyres from front to back and the laser alignment did not pick anything up.

These car need to be setup right or they wll not handle as good as they do, I have mine laser aligned every year. Just had a pair of new tyres and full alignment, what a difference and it was not that much out!
 
Seems strange on a standard set up! If you could get the car jacked up, put your hands at 9 and 3 on the wheel and push and pull it to see if there is any movement. Then change to 12 and 6 to see if there is any give. My old A4 had a wheel bearing replaced, the movement in it was very little but it made a drastic difference to the steering. Having said that it was more of a vibration! Might be worth a try though?
 
Black Hawk said:
Seems strange on a standard set up! If you could get the car jacked up, put your hands at 9 and 3 on the wheel and push and pull it to see if there is any movement. Then change to 12 and 6 to see if there is any give. My old A4 had a wheel bearing replaced, the movement in it was very little but it made a drastic difference to the steering. Having said that it was more of a vibration! Might be worth a try though?
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll give that a try. I did wonder whether the wheel bearings may be a possible cause. I'm just off to give her a wash so I can add a photo to my profile!
 
The Accord's notorious for this really. Especially if you've got 17" wheels or larger. On good road surfaces, it's fine but it will pull you one way or the other on bumpy roads. I'd say make sure all your tyres are the same and the pressures right, make sure you're car is properly balanced and check for play in the roll bar linkages and roll bar bushings. Once all that's good, if it's still a noticeable issue, then I guess you need to start thinking CV joints, bearings, wishbones, suspension or steering rack :unsure: .
 
Ok guys just to add to this thread.Last week i had a service at HH and found my 2 back tyre were worn on the inside.
This is normally a problem with the 7th gen and camber so i was shocked at this on my 8th gen.
Anyway after leaving HH Andy (Monks) recommended a place to go to have a geometry test so we headed down there as they had a Hunter machine there.
To cut a long story short the tow on the rears were a long way out and also slightly on the front as well.Anyway iv now got 4 new tyres and the alignment is correct and the car drives like when i brought it.
There is no more wandering on the steering so all is good and it proves how important a geometry test on our cars are.
 
had the exact same issue, two new front tyres (falcon) two new drop links , and hey presto all is well again
 
nice one brett bro, i think its a mandatory to get the alignment done properly on our cars...bet it runs like its on rails now.. :)
 
ukaccord said:
nice one brett bro, i think its a mandatory to get the alignment done properly on our cars...bet it runs like its on rails now.. :)
Click to expand...
The improvement Bro is so much better and yes its drives like on rails now :lol:
I think this is a must every 12 months as it only takes a pot hole to knock out the geometry
 
I guess your right bro,especially with the pot hole crisis we have at the moment ...
 
I had a Mercedes which would tramline more as the tyres wore down. Perhaps (looking at the OP) that's why yours has changed?

My Accord tramlines on it's worn tyres but I've only recently bought it so not put new tyres on yet to see if that makes a difference.
 
800jimbo said:
I had a Mercedes which would tramline more as the tyres wore down. Perhaps (looking at the OP) that's why yours has changed?

My Accord tramlines on it's worn tyres but I've only recently bought it so not put new tyres on yet to see if that makes a difference.
Click to expand...

I've had new tyres and experimented with a range of different tyre pressures. Whilst I can feel the difference between high and low pressures, it does not correct the underlying problem in any way. I've driven the car with this issue for a few months hoping it will become worse an therefore more apparent to fix.

I've booked it into the local Honda dealer again tomorrow for thorough investigation........
 
I'm wondering if this kit from Spoon will help or not:
http://www.spoon.jp/eng/details.php?id=1070&md=accord&cid=4
 
dinoc said:
I'm wondering if this kit from Spoon will help or not:
http://www.spoon.jp/eng/details.php?id=1070&md=accord&cid=4
Click to expand...
Thanks. May be something worth trying. Did the spoon sub-frame rigid bushes make much difference on your car? I've read about them but don't know whether there is much benefit on the accord?
 
My car used to tramline alot and on bumpy roads i'd be driving like Mr. T !! My car was standard on 17" rims I piddy the fool who don't buy the A-Spec suspension, i piddy the fool. Car no longer tramlines and is super fine on the bumpy stuff B) Cannot recommend this enough :D and i even upgraded to 18's too :wub:
 
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