Drifting Problem
Drifting Problem
Hi all, I am driving a 2001 civic. I have a serious suspension problem. I recently changed the suspension to full coilovers and now the car "drifts" from side to side whenever I go over uneven road surfaces. I was told by my suspension installer to get a 4 wheel alignment which I have just done. Before I went over to the alignment shop, all was fine except the front wheels which would occassionally rub the fenders. After they aligned it with a computerised 4 wheel alignment system, the car's ride was terrible as of now. The worst part was that the camber readings on the system were different on both sides after the adjustment. This was because when they adjusted it both to -2degrees, one side was obviously more cambered then the other. In the end, they used some gauge thing with a bubble in it to measure / adjust the camber without the computer's readings help. My wheel will not hit my fender anymore, but the car pulls left and right whenever I go over uneven road surfaces. My car is lowered to no gap in the front and 1/2 a finger gap at the rears. My car is on 17inches 205/45/R17. I thought I was prepared by going for a wheel rotation and balance just before I installed the suspension, but it's not the case. My car was lowered previously with springs and konis, that was why I had to rotate / balance my tyres inside out. The mechanic said it could be due to my tyres which are balder on the outsides compared to the insides. But why was it okay before I did the camber adjustments ?? I also purcahsed 2 camber bolts from the alignment shop to do it. They also adjusted my rear toe. I really regretted doing the 4 wheel alignment, instead I should have just gone for a toe-in adjustment. Now my car is not safe on the roads and I dare not test the suspension's performance. Can anyone here help me with this problem ?
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 3
From: Washington DC
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If you're tires are unevenly worn side to side it could be your problem.
It could also just be the tires. The wider, lower sidewall tires will follow the road a little bit more because they're stiffer, so they'll want to follow grooves in the road rather than sit on the sides of them. Can you drive down the highway and it will track straight??
Find a freshly paved road, point the car and take your hands off the wheel.... that'll tell you if there's something wrong or if it's just the tires following the road.
It could also just be the tires. The wider, lower sidewall tires will follow the road a little bit more because they're stiffer, so they'll want to follow grooves in the road rather than sit on the sides of them. Can you drive down the highway and it will track straight??
Find a freshly paved road, point the car and take your hands off the wheel.... that'll tell you if there's something wrong or if it's just the tires following the road.
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,862
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From: Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Rep Power: 0 
Yep, the wider tires just track grooves in the road. It will jerk the steering wheel pretty hard as I am sure you have noticed.
Also, if the tires are worn, you need camber kits. I know you say you have the bolts, but what about the rear. -2 degrees is quite a lot to be out. Also, they almost never get each side perfectly equal in adjustment. I shouldn't be off by too much though.
It also sounds like your car is lowered too much. If you are sitting lower than 2 inches, get used to and expect problems in the future.
Also, if the tires are worn, you need camber kits. I know you say you have the bolts, but what about the rear. -2 degrees is quite a lot to be out. Also, they almost never get each side perfectly equal in adjustment. I shouldn't be off by too much though.
It also sounds like your car is lowered too much. If you are sitting lower than 2 inches, get used to and expect problems in the future.
Mbow, Yes my car is really low. It has no gap between the fender and wheel front and back. I just want to solve the pulling problem. If I set my front to Zero degree camber, will the car be okay ?
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