Slight pulling left/right while driving
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, NC
Rep Power: 0 
Slight pulling left/right while driving
Just picked up a 03 EM2 Coupe 5-speed a few days ago and when I’m driving under low throttle or just coasting (haven’t tried hard accelerations yet figured best not to) the car seems to have some play or looseness in the steering. It also has a little knocking coming from the right front wheel area, guy told me it was just bad control arm bushings and I believe that to be true. Could these control arm bushings be causing the looseness in the steering? It doesn’t feel related to the rear in any way. Also for an extra bit of info it’s on ESM-007 17x9, not 100% on offset since I haven’t got down to look yet.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, NC
Rep Power: 0 
Re: Slight pulling left/right while driving
Bad control arm bushings will definitely cause problems with the steering. Also, check your ball joints and tie rod ends too. Bad tie rod ends or ball joints can definitely cause noise and play in the steering, and will effect the alignment.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 
Re: Slight pulling left/right while driving
Put the original and correct wheels and tires back on the car and see if it drives normally.
Lots of wheel offset in either direction can cause weird wander issues, like the car is trying to follow ruts in the pavement.....or trying to climb up out of the ruts in the pavement
Square shouldered tires can try to follow lines and uneven surfaces in the pavement
Lots of wheel offset in either direction can cause weird wander issues, like the car is trying to follow ruts in the pavement.....or trying to climb up out of the ruts in the pavement
Square shouldered tires can try to follow lines and uneven surfaces in the pavement
Re: Slight pulling left/right while driving
17x9 is a big wheel!!! There are lots of suspension parts that when worn can cause issues but those wheels probably have a big offset if they are 9” wide.
Is it lowered?
Is it lowered?
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, NC
Rep Power: 0 Re: Slight pulling left/right while driving
No the car isn’t lowered any, and sits like a monster truck. Still rubs slightly on one rear wheel when cornering. Haven’t had the car long so it hasn’t had the wheels off to check for wear and tear on suspension components. Looking to go for coilovers a lil later down the road, anyone recommend any good kits? And I bought the car with the wheels and tires on it didn’t include the stocks.
Last edited by 03_EM2; Feb 16, 2018 at 10:46 AM.
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,639
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222 Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Burlington, NC
Rep Power: 0 Re: Slight pulling left/right while driving
I’m fairly certain the car came stock with a rear sway bar? It most likely still has the stock one which I’ve heard are really small so I might look into getting a new one. I haven’t had the car long so I haven’t taken the time to look under it at any of the suspension components, he told me it needed new front control arm bushings for sure but that was all he knew. He had just replaced the head and gaskets since he bought the car with a blown head gasket. He said it will sometimes throw the P0401 code. He said it wasn’t the EGR valve itself but was unsure what the exact problem was..
Last edited by 03_EM2; Feb 16, 2018 at 12:36 PM.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Re: Slight pulling left/right while driving
He said it will sometimes throw the P0401 code. He said it wasn’t the EGR valve itself but was unsure what the exact problem was..
Or he installed the wrong intake gasket when he did the head gasket.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Peege777
Air Conditioning
11
Oct 10, 2019 05:32 PM
Luke Szabolcsky
Suspension
1
Sep 16, 2017 06:27 PM
Thaik
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
22
Jul 27, 2014 10:20 PM
2002ExCivic
Wheels, Tires & Brakes Modifications
5
Feb 6, 2014 01:01 AM
05blueexcoupe
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
6
Aug 14, 2009 10:07 PM
