I have a 2004 XB with 209,000 miles on it. Yes I take well good care of my mistress. The thing is, lately she feels like she has a mind of her own. While driving, it starts to drift to the left or right and I have to compensate for it and in doing so, it appears that I am all over the road. Has anyone experienced this? If so what could it be? I have yet to change my shocks or springs. I just had a 4 wheel alignment with 4 new tires 1 week ago. It just does not feel normal. HELP!!!!!!

 

If this happened after the alignment, they probably set something wrong. Brng it back and have them re-align it and/or show you that it is in spec.

If it was happening before the alignment and hasn't changed I am guessing something your steering or suspension is worn out. Any combination of worn tie rods, steering rack, bushings, ball joints, struts, etc. could give you a vagueness like you described.

 

tHANKS

 

Most of the listed conditions would have prevented them from properly doing the alignment but those are the things that would cause the problem.

Go back to the shop and complain.

 

A dragging or frozen caliper, or weak or broken return springs in a drum brake can create enough friction to also cause a noticeable steering pull. If you suspect brake drag, the easiest way to find the offending brake is to raise the wheels off the ground and spin each one by hand.

 

Went back to the shop and explained the symptoms to one of the guys there. He asked me to open my hood and turn the steering wheel back and forth while he watched. He immedistely said he saw what the problem was. He pointed to the rack and pinion bar and told me to watch the black box that was attached to it. I did so and saw the whole thing move. He said that that was not supposed to happen. It should be firmly connected to the frame. He said it was the bushings that hold the rack to the frame. Said it would cost me approx 200.00 to fix it. (inspect or R/R the bushings and tighten it back to original specs.) Does this sound correct? Could I do it myself? I am mechanically inclined.

 

i know on the tc you have to drop the subframe to get to the steering rack so it will be a pain to do yourself without a lift. What you can do is go through and torque down all of the bolts to make sure it isn't something as stupid as a loose nut.