So here's what happens, I noticed this right after I put my summer wheels back on, but don't think it's related. My wheel kind pulls to the right a little bit, but not like an alignment issue. If I let go of the wheel, it will pull a little to the right, but then straighten itself out. (meaning it doesn't pull harder to the right, but still pulls to the right). When going slow, like backing out of my driveway, the wheel will sometimes turn a full quarter turn, but i still go straight. (the wheel controls are facing straight up and down) I don't have any issues turning, it turns like it normally would. Just seems like under certain conditions there's way too much play in the wheel, primarily while going very slowly, under 5 mph. There is no shaking or vibrations in the wheel besides what was always there from my mounts.

What i've done to troubleshoot.

Took off the panel under the wheel, checked for missing screws/bolts and made sure everything was tight. It was, and nothing missing.

Took off both front wheels, checked the entire hub assemblies and all connections behind the wheel. Also made sure the wheels were on and torqued correctly. Everything seemed ok.

Not sure what else to check. Normally I would chalk this up to needing an alignment, but the way it pulls I don't think that's the case. I can't imagine needing an alignment would let the wheel turn a quarter turn without doing anything.

Any idea would be appreciated. Like i said, once I get driving it's fine. Tries to pull a little to the right, but it turns as good as it ever did.

 

are your tires balanced correctly. Make sure any weights haven't fallen off. How is the tread on the tires, is it evenly worn.

 

Wheels are wearing evenly. I don't think an alignment issue would let the wheel turn as much as it does while still going straight though, and only sometimes. Maybe i'm wrong on that, but it seems a bit extreme for an alignment.

 

Im not positive but if there not balance correctly it could effect it. Is there a broken belt in the tire maybe, or a belt starting to break.

 

tires are in great shape. I probably won't have to start thinking about new ones till next year at least. It's hard to tell about the weights because the when I bought the car the wheels were re-balanced so i can't tell if weights fell off or if it's where they took the old ones off.

I wonder if it would really make that much of a difference. that would make sense as to why it only does it going slowly.

 

yeah im not positive either but it wouldn't hurt just to get them checked out again.

 

cool, thanks for the feedback. if anyone else has anything to chime in it's be appreciated.

 

also make sure you get the summer air put in your tires, that could also effect it. J/K

 

yea, i drained all the cold air before they were put on

 

Did you check the steering linkage? I noticed mine was very rusty when I was looking over it a few days ago. Since you see snow more than me it may have rusted a bolt loose or something.It is easy to see in a 2.2 but your SC inlet may be in the way because you have to look below the fuse box and slightly towards the passengerside.

 

yea, seems fine. there's a small gap to see it, if you're not sure what you're looking for you'll probably miss it though. but seems fine. i'm totally stumped.

 

Hmmm. IDK, My bet was something in relation to the steering linkage, we had similar problems when I was an avid offroader and some guys would replace their entire assembly...

 

there balance is off.. its normal it happend to me. so if i was you goto a tire shop and check the balance..