In reference to my earlier thread about the dealerships, this is what they said on my 3rd visit for my crv. They have balanced the tires, done an alignment, checked the control arms and tie rods, and calculated the toe each tire has. All check in the "green" zone so no apparent issues there. But still when my steering wheel is straight the vehicle bears left. Any thoughts on what this could be? And for everyones info, the mechanic said she has a '14 crv and I quote "that's just how they are". I was shocked when she said this because it is a straight out lie! No new car should be like that so let me know what you think it is.
CRV steering
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Have you swapped the two front tires? While it's unlikely there would be a difference in diameter being so new, it could be a conicity problem. Either would cause a pull. Either would pull the other way when the front tires were swapped.
Agreed, it shouldn't be pulling left. That's my best guess.
Edit: my suggestions are if you let the steering wheel go and it pulls. If it tracks straight but the wheel isn't centered disregard it.
Agreed, it shouldn't be pulling left. That's my best guess.
Edit: my suggestions are if you let the steering wheel go and it pulls. If it tracks straight but the wheel isn't centered disregard it.
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If I let go of the wheel, the vehicle won't pull much, if at all.
I'd say about 5-10 degrees. Enough to annoy me.
Tell them you want the alignment performed with the steering wheel straight..should be just a tie rod adjustment .Right?
Should be but they said they did that!! I'm so tired of them.
I had the same problem on my 2011 Civic and it ended up being "Radial pull" (bad tires really)
I had the tires replaced later down the road and the off center steering wheel went away for good. (If mine was totally straight the car would veer a bit as well)
I haven't had any problems with my 2010 Civic and it's tires or alignment.
I had the tires replaced later down the road and the off center steering wheel went away for good. (If mine was totally straight the car would veer a bit as well)
I haven't had any problems with my 2010 Civic and it's tires or alignment.
Originally Posted By: lawman1909
In reference to my earlier thread about the dealerships, this is what they said on my 3rd visit for my crv. They have balanced the tires, done an alignment, checked the control arms and tie rods, and calculated the toe each tire has. All check in the "green" zone so no apparent issues there. But still when my steering wheel is straight the vehicle bears left. Any thoughts on what this could be? And for everyones info, the mechanic said she has a '14 crv and I quote "that's just how they are". I was shocked when she said this because it is a straight out lie! No new car should be like that so let me know what you think it is.
I have had this on 2 vehicles. I ended up taking the cars to a Goodyear shop that has a Hunter alignment rack. They did the whole 4 wheel and swapped the LF-RF tires and the problem was solved. This is a busy shop that probably does 100 alignments a week so the techs know what they are doing.
Since then they are the only place I take my car for tire related work. Even my Tire Rack purchases go there.
In reference to my earlier thread about the dealerships, this is what they said on my 3rd visit for my crv. They have balanced the tires, done an alignment, checked the control arms and tie rods, and calculated the toe each tire has. All check in the "green" zone so no apparent issues there. But still when my steering wheel is straight the vehicle bears left. Any thoughts on what this could be? And for everyones info, the mechanic said she has a '14 crv and I quote "that's just how they are". I was shocked when she said this because it is a straight out lie! No new car should be like that so let me know what you think it is.
I have had this on 2 vehicles. I ended up taking the cars to a Goodyear shop that has a Hunter alignment rack. They did the whole 4 wheel and swapped the LF-RF tires and the problem was solved. This is a busy shop that probably does 100 alignments a week so the techs know what they are doing.
Since then they are the only place I take my car for tire related work. Even my Tire Rack purchases go there.
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Originally Posted By: lawman1909
I'd say about 5-10 degrees. Enough to annoy me.
This would drive me nuts too. And, of course, all CR-Vs don't "all do this."
Originally Posted By: lawman1909
If I let go of the wheel, the vehicle won't pull much, if at all.
OK. Let's assume then your CR-V is correctly aligned. If so, spending a ton of bucks on another alignment isn't the answer. In which case, were I you, I'd either remove the steering wheel and move it over a spline to center it, or insist your dealer do it for you. (The latter, of course, is the better option to avoid the potential for a face full of airbag.)
I'd say about 5-10 degrees. Enough to annoy me.
This would drive me nuts too. And, of course, all CR-Vs don't "all do this."
Originally Posted By: lawman1909
If I let go of the wheel, the vehicle won't pull much, if at all.
OK. Let's assume then your CR-V is correctly aligned. If so, spending a ton of bucks on another alignment isn't the answer. In which case, were I you, I'd either remove the steering wheel and move it over a spline to center it, or insist your dealer do it for you. (The latter, of course, is the better option to avoid the potential for a face full of airbag.)
lawman1909,
Do you have to hold the steering wheel straight?
OR,
do you mean that, while the steering wheel is straight(naturally), the vehicle(CR-V) pull LEFT?
Also, did your dealer actually perform an alignment or just do an alignment check?...and all WAS well?
There is a "steering wheel angle" adjustment during the alignment. Did your dealer adjust this?
Do you have to hold the steering wheel straight?
OR,
do you mean that, while the steering wheel is straight(naturally), the vehicle(CR-V) pull LEFT?
Also, did your dealer actually perform an alignment or just do an alignment check?...and all WAS well?
There is a "steering wheel angle" adjustment during the alignment. Did your dealer adjust this?
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This should be a pretty straightforward fix for them to perform, however it sounds like you're maybe not giving them the correct information. It's simply an off-center steering wheel, a quick front end alignment is all that's required. Balancing wheels, etc, is not needed, hence my thought that perhaps your description of the problem is not quite right. A short drive with the head mechanic so you can show him the problem, that the steering wheel is slightly off when the vehicle is travelling dead straight, and I'm sure he'd be all over it!
Also, having done hundreds of alignments, I can tell you sometimes it's hard getting the steering wheel exactly straight...I've found on occasions the only way to get it was by swapping the front wheels left to right, but that shouldn't be necessary on a brand new car.
Sadly these days, on most vehicles the steering wheel isn't on a splined shaft, it's a square shaft, so minor adjustments such as yours needs can't be done by moving the wheel a spline or two. Persist, I'm sure this will be resolved sooner rather than later!
Also, having done hundreds of alignments, I can tell you sometimes it's hard getting the steering wheel exactly straight...I've found on occasions the only way to get it was by swapping the front wheels left to right, but that shouldn't be necessary on a brand new car.
Sadly these days, on most vehicles the steering wheel isn't on a splined shaft, it's a square shaft, so minor adjustments such as yours needs can't be done by moving the wheel a spline or two. Persist, I'm sure this will be resolved sooner rather than later!
I take it your car goes straight but the steering wheel is slightly cocked to the left? I suggest you swap the left and right front tires yourself and see if it corrects the problem. Jack up the front end, and you can do this in 20 minutes in your garage. If the problem persists, bring it back to the dealer and tell them you want them to adjust the tie rod ends at the front by giving the LF tire a little toe out and the RF tire a little toe in.
you need to find a front end person who can and will fix it.
I had same problem with an infiniti, dealer did it 3 times, went to private guy he said there was no factory adjustment for either caster or camber (can't remember) and cut a slot in whatever holds the front end assembly in place that fixed it. car was new too never wrecked
I had same problem with an infiniti, dealer did it 3 times, went to private guy he said there was no factory adjustment for either caster or camber (can't remember) and cut a slot in whatever holds the front end assembly in place that fixed it. car was new too never wrecked
Originally Posted By: lawman1909
But still when my steering wheel is straight the vehicle bears left.
Originally Posted By: lawman1909
If I let go of the wheel, the vehicle won't pull much, if at all.
Your toe is off. Total toe is probably fine, but both sides need to be readjusted again to correct the crooked steering wheel. New vehicle steering systems are so tight and precise, any extra turn on that tie rod could cause the steering wheel to turn (although the tech is supposed to lock it). It is simply a matter of patience to get the results you're looking for.
But still when my steering wheel is straight the vehicle bears left.
Originally Posted By: lawman1909
If I let go of the wheel, the vehicle won't pull much, if at all.
Your toe is off. Total toe is probably fine, but both sides need to be readjusted again to correct the crooked steering wheel. New vehicle steering systems are so tight and precise, any extra turn on that tie rod could cause the steering wheel to turn (although the tech is supposed to lock it). It is simply a matter of patience to get the results you're looking for.
Okay. If my wheel is slightly crooked right, then the vehicle goes straight. Does that change anything?
Seems like sloppy alignment work where the tech didn't bother to ensure the steering wheel was straight. Insist on the dealer redoing it right. Complain to Honda corporate if you have to.
Having had to deal with incompetent Honda dealers some years ago, I feel for you. It took multiple visits and a lot of hand holding to get the to do things that should have been done right the first time around. I had to do a lot of my own troubleshooting to explain to the dealer what was broken and then to tell them how to fix it.
Having had to deal with incompetent Honda dealers some years ago, I feel for you. It took multiple visits and a lot of hand holding to get the to do things that should have been done right the first time around. I had to do a lot of my own troubleshooting to explain to the dealer what was broken and then to tell them how to fix it.
Okay. I am going back for the 4th time and this time bringing a friend. He has dealt with this dealer many times and they don't seem to B.S. with him.
OP, did you end up having this issue rectified, or just learned to live with it?
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