easy steering question

sgarlic

Founding Member

Apr 21, 2001

3,085

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May 5, 2005

#1

• May 5, 2005

• #1

When I switch lanes, or do a gradual turn, my steering wheel doesn't return to the center position. It just stays where I have it turned.. kind of like cruise control for the steering wheel.

If I do a full like 90 degree turn, it returns back a little bit, but I still have to return it most of the way.

What needs to be fixed?

 

D

Daggar

New Member

Jul 19, 2004

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May 5, 2005

#2

• May 5, 2005

• #2

Hmmmm... good question. I've never really paid much attnetion to what does. Try posting this in the tech section. You might get a better response.

 

D

Daggar

New Member

Jul 19, 2004

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#3

• May 5, 2005

• #3

Oooop... I'm a moron. This IS the tech section. LOL well here's another bump for ya. hehehe

 

cjman15

Banned

Apr 15, 2004

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Fairfield, PA

May 5, 2005

#4

• May 5, 2005

• #4

Might have something to do with the alignment of your front wheels...? and your power steering pump is fine and not leaking?

 

jrichker

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Mar 10, 2000

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Dublin GA

May 5, 2005

#5

• May 5, 2005

• #5

Lack of caster will cause the condition you describe. Unfortunately, the only way to get more than the stock setting is to use caster/camber plates. The price for a good set of CC plates runs $100-$160 for 2 plates, one for each side. Avoid aluminum plates and plates with rubber bushings of any kind. The best plates are made of steel & have a spherical bearing at the top where the strut bolts up to them.

Then you have to spend money to get the front end aligned. Some shops will make you !@#$# because they won't align it to the specs provided with the CC plates.

 

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

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Ontario, Canada

May 5, 2005

#6

• May 5, 2005

• #6

Wow....my car does the exact same thing.I've been wondering WTF was wrong with it. Guess i should have put some C/C plates on when i had my car lowered Ah well i can live with it.

 

sgarlic

Founding Member

Apr 21, 2001

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May 5, 2005

#7

• May 5, 2005

• #7

So if I put stock springs and crap back on it should fix the problem? I really don't care for the car being lowered anyway, the guy before me did it.

And yeah the power steering pump is good.. full.. not leaking (anymore.)

 

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

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Ontario, Canada

May 5, 2005

#8

• May 5, 2005

• #8

sgarlic said:

So if I put stock springs and crap back on it should fix the problem? I really don't care for the car being lowered anyway, the guy before me did it.

And yeah the power steering pump is good.. full.. not leaking (anymore.)

Click to expand...

I'd keep it lowered

 

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!

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May 17, 2000

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C Addle

May 5, 2005

#9

• May 5, 2005

• #9

sgarlic said:

So if I put stock springs and crap back on it should fix the problem? I really don't care for the car being lowered anyway, the guy before me did it.

Click to expand...

Probably cost more to put it back to stock than to install caster/camber plates and have it aligned.

 

BLOWN 5.0 FOX

Member

Apr 4, 2005

213

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NORTH SHORE MA

May 5, 2005

#10

• May 5, 2005

• #10

Improper Caster adjustment/out of spec. Think of a caster reading as your basic caster wheel on say a shopping cart. The axle is placed behind the swivel point, when pushed foreward, both wheels are directed the same way. Now picture a shopping cart with axles directly below the swivel point, it proves a little harder steering effort and could easilly bind. In your case you have limitations of your wheels so you would obviously never bind, however your wheels once steering do not feel the need to return to a straight direction on their own. Quality CC plates and a good allignment will solve your problems. I hope I made it easier to understand. GOOD LUCK

<<<< 20 and ASE cert'd

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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May 5, 2005

#11

• May 5, 2005

• #11

agreed. stangs have marginal caster as it is (mine is borderline on one side, but i feel no ill effects - caster is primarily a handling setting, as opposed to having an affect on tire wear). another sign of bad caster is if the car tries to follow ruts in the road.

i have seen a good price on CC plates posted on here recently, but i cant remember who sold them or the particulars (nicely put by Jrichker. ).

good luck with it bud.

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

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Jan 15, 2002

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89

Dallas, GA

May 5, 2005

#12

• May 5, 2005

• #12

jrichker said:

Some shops will make you !@#$# because they won't align it to the specs provided with the CC plates.

Click to expand...

Any shop that does this, don't let them touch your car, they are idiots. I am not the alingment tech, but I do my share. Many items like C/C plates are made STANDARD by companies such as Hunter to correct angled. Offset ball joints, angled tie rod ends, offset control arms even. I wish all struted cars came with C/C plates, sure beats turning the strut of drilling the body of the vehicle.

 

BLOWN 5.0 FOX

Member

Apr 4, 2005

213

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NORTH SHORE MA

May 6, 2005

#13

• May 6, 2005

• #13

Yea it seems Ford Engineers slacked on the allignment sector of the Mustang.

As well as more than a few other areas ..... but thank god for the aftermarket world!!!