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I recently had some H&R sport springs installed. I have NOT yet had my alignment done. My rear camber kit is coming this week and I am going to get both done at once.

However, my alignment now switches sides after I make corners. For example it will pull to the right and then I make a turn and it pulls to the left. Before I get on the highway I turn back and forth quickly (like a race car warming its tires) to center it. It's definatly screwed up. If it was consistent I wouldnt be concerned. But the fact that it pulls left, right and sometimes not at all is what concerns me.

It is a very stange problem. I am concerned that I may spend $$ for an alignment, make a turn and its out again.

In addition, (maybe its related) my springs make a clicking sound (like plastic hitting, not a metal metal sound) when I go over bumps.

Any help would be great. And I did search before I posted this.


Thanks

 
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i would definitely recommend getting an alignment, especially since you're having these strange problems. go to a place where they warrantee their alignment servies for a finite period (6 months-12 months).

as for the clicking sound, i had the same problem with my stock springs on the front left passenger side. i took it to the honda dealership and they installed a "shim kit" to prevent the contact between the strut mount and i can't remember what.

 
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I know what you mean. Mine has slight play as well after my run-in with the curb. I think it's something in the steering gears that's allowing the play. Maybe the tie rods have some play as well. Although it sounds like there's more play than just the tie rod ends. You'll need to get your steering checked out. Then do an alignment. It's something in the steering box betwean the tie rods.

 
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Does this happen too, when u make a u-turn or just a turn in general. Does the steering wheel stay in that position, as opposed to turning back into the normal straight position. Get what I mean. Becasue mines jacked up too. it makes a clicking sound and when i turn and let go of the steering wheel, it doesnt turn to the normal position like all cars do. The suspension shop said that the bearings in the shock/strut were shot hence why it wasnt turning back to the original position. I already bought the bearings, now just need to install it. Hopefully thats the problem.

 
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Thanks for the input so far.

The steering wheel does come back when I turn. But not all the way to center (depending on whether the car is pulling left or right). I can't really imagine that anything could be shot or blown. I have only had my car lowered for a couple of weeks and it was fine b4 that.

I also noticed today that my back wheel on one side had like a two finger gap and the other side is lower like a one finger gap. WTF is up. I know all the springs were the same make and from the same set.

Could it be that the springs are twisting in and out of position and thus slightly adjusting the ride height on different sides of the car.
Like it pulls to the left because the right spring is outta postion and too high. But then I turn and shift the weight of the car and the right goes into position but the left goes out. I dont know if you know what I mean.

I am just grasping at staws here.

 
Rep Power: 418

You lowered it with just springs? Hmm... Sounds like a blown strut then, but I'm not sure. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]
Try to push the side that's lower down. Does it bounce? If it bounces more than the other side then the strut is blown.

 
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About your gap being different on each side, this is normal. There's actually a TSB about this that states the left side is lower then the right due to weight. I noticed the difference on mine when it was completely stock.

For the pulling problem, sounds like maybe the spring(s) are binding up when you turn and not spinning as freely as they should. Just guessing here.

Also when you install front springs the person doing it has to make sure that they index(mark the top and bottom of the strut so they go back in the same position) them correctly. Along with indexing, you have to make sure that the dot mark on the top of the upper spring perch is facing inwards towards the engine bay.

Maybe take it back tothe shop that installed them and see if they can determine what the problem is.

 
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Well i found out what the problem is so I am going to post it so that if anyone ever searches this they will have an answer.

They said my ball joints in my steering were gone. That caused the aligment to switch sides. It didnt center becase the ball joints were ineffective in that deteriorated state.

It is being covered under warranty.