Steering problem on '02 Civic? Please help.
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Steering problem on '02 Civic? Please help.
I bought an '02 Civic (LX sedan, all stock) the other day, and the steering feels really weird. I've owned 3 Honda (two Integras and an S2000), and I don't recall noticing this on any one of them.
The issue I have is with how the steering is weighted. In other words, the steering wheel should want to return to the neutral position when you release pressure. My car does this when the wheel is turned more than thirty degrees or so, but on smaller deflections (ten degrees or so), the wheel wants to stay off-center. If I turn the wheel a small amount (say to change lanes on the highway), the wheel will not recenter itself.
Is this normal? The car has 15,000 miles on it and doesn't appear to have ever been in a front-end collision.
The issue I have is with how the steering is weighted. In other words, the steering wheel should want to return to the neutral position when you release pressure. My car does this when the wheel is turned more than thirty degrees or so, but on smaller deflections (ten degrees or so), the wheel wants to stay off-center. If I turn the wheel a small amount (say to change lanes on the highway), the wheel will not recenter itself.
Is this normal? The car has 15,000 miles on it and doesn't appear to have ever been in a front-end collision.
Last edited by mcochran; Sep 11, 2003 at 02:00 PM.
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Washington DC
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What you feel is the difference between MacPherson Struts and double wishbones. It tends to "float" a little. If you've still got stock tires, get rid of them infavor of 195/60 or 205/55 tires. The wider track helps tighten it up a little bit.
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From: Bangkok, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 0 I had a problem like this for over a year and Honda tried to align my wheels many times. Then I took my car to a professional alignment shop ant they told me the bearings at the top of the struts were defective. I replaced these and the problem was 75% better.
Take this up with Honda and if they say it's normal, ask to test drive another car.
Take this up with Honda and if they say it's normal, ask to test drive another car.
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