99 VT Just got wheel aligned, now car jumps to the side after a bump!!!!?

[gsxrdan]

So im driving straight ahead, steering wheel pointing 12 oclock. hit a bump and car 'jumps' sideways a foot or so, now im still driving straight ahead, but steering wheel is pointing at 1.30... friggin bizarre!!! ALSO (and perhaps unrelated) driving up flagstaff hill she starts lugging - and the traction control light is flashing at me! so the computer thinks i have wheelspin and is stuttering a brake right? Just so happens both problems occur straight after new tyres allround and a wheel align (i.e store is closed at 12 and i drive away at 12.30, change the flat rear tyre a block away :hmmm:, no ****, and when i drive off again it jumps towards a merc!) Now the steering wheel will return to 12 oclock, but only after another bump, and another lurch sideways. Pulled a front wheel off at random, no movement on tie rod ends or steering rack that i can feel. HELP!!

 

[kniever]

i'd be taking the car straight back to where you had the new tyres and wheel alignment and make them sort it out cos it was fine b4 you went there

 

[gsxrdan]

yeah, means an hour drive back tho, and it's a pretty freaky drive when you dont know if your car wil keep going where you're pointing it!! And i kind of need to drive it before tomorrow...

 

[graham7773]

Probably not possible but it sounds like your steering rack is loose in its mounts.

 

[vt s]

maybe they didnt tighten the tie rods back up when alligning it?

 

[don0xer]

go somewhere local, then send the bill to them

 

[savage1987]

Sounds like you have yourself a serious problem and something is VERY broken.

Get this checked out ASAP.

Just a thought, if you haven't checked already make sure your front ball joints are done up tight enough, I know on my VR 304 this caused some bloody weird issues.

 

[Tree cutter]

They might have left your camber adjustment bolts loose so your front wheel leans in or out. They could have damaged a sensor wire causing your traction control problem. Camber adjustment bolts are at the bottom of your struts.
I would give the people that worked on your car a phone call and explain to them that it is not safe to drive anymore and you would like them to send someone out to make it safe enough to drive back to them so they can fix up what they damaged.

 

[alex2_s]

i agree ^ check the stretch bolts (big bolts in bottom of strut) for tightness, you may need to actually repace them. is there any 'clunks' when you stop/start /change directions at low speeds etc

 

[gsxrdan]

Ok, an update - this was a cash job, so i have no recourse with the shop and no rec't.

The car is up on stands, and while the rh front wheel is lined up dead on with the rh rear, the inside of the lh front is pointing almost exactly at the centre of the lh rear, thats a massive 90mm, and the steering wheel is pointing to 2 oclock. Turn the steering wheel to 12 oclock, and the inside of the rh front is a whopping 130mm toward (actualy past) the centre of the rh rear!!!

No clunks - but when it 'changes' (stephen king's 'christine') it feels kinda like the little earthquake of a few weeks ago, the car just shifts to the side...

Camber looks normal on the stands, but toe in is ridiculous - i assume its in christine form, and if i drive it over a bump and the steering wheel returns to 12, then toe will be normal...