2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

Hi there,

A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
was, so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.

When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
the car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have
to actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel
to the left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the
steering wheel, let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left
it. If I do the same thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the
right.

Can anyone think of a reason for this?

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.

"Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
> Hi there,
>
> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem was,
> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>
> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel, the
> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to the
> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering wheel,
> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the same
> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>
> Can anyone think of a reason for this?

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.

"Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
> Hi there,
>
> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem was,
> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>
> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel, the
> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to the
> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering wheel,
> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the same
> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>
> Can anyone think of a reason for this?

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

On 9/20/04 12:35 PM, in article rxE3d.11474$Qb.6307@fe2.texas.rr.com,
"Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote:

> My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
>
> "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
> news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
>> Hi there,
>>
>> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem was,
>> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>
>> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel, the
>> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
>> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to the
>> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering wheel,
>> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the same
>> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>>
>> Can anyone think of a reason for this?
>
>

If the car doesn't go straight, the possible causes are alignment, bad
tire(s), air pressure difference between the front tires, or a high crown in
the road.

First make sure the air pressure is the same in both front tires. One PSI
difference is enough to make the car start favoring one side over the other.
Find a flat road and test it.

If that checks out, try swapping the front tires and see if it then starts
to pull to the left. If it still pulls right after swapping the tires (and
the road is flat), then find a different mechanic and get the alignment
checked again - something is out of spec in the suspension.

Have them check the rear as well as the front (you usually have to
specifically ask them to check the rear). Misalignment of the rear wheels
can also cause a drift to one side or the other. My last two Hondas both
had alignment issues in the right rear.

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

On 9/20/04 12:35 PM, in article rxE3d.11474$Qb.6307@fe2.texas.rr.com,
"Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote:

> My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
>
> "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
> news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
>> Hi there,
>>
>> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem was,
>> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>
>> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel, the
>> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
>> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to the
>> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering wheel,
>> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the same
>> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>>
>> Can anyone think of a reason for this?
>
>

If the car doesn't go straight, the possible causes are alignment, bad
tire(s), air pressure difference between the front tires, or a high crown in
the road.

First make sure the air pressure is the same in both front tires. One PSI
difference is enough to make the car start favoring one side over the other.
Find a flat road and test it.

If that checks out, try swapping the front tires and see if it then starts
to pull to the left. If it still pulls right after swapping the tires (and
the road is flat), then find a different mechanic and get the alignment
checked again - something is out of spec in the suspension.

Have them check the rear as well as the front (you usually have to
specifically ask them to check the rear). Misalignment of the rear wheels
can also cause a drift to one side or the other. My last two Hondas both
had alignment issues in the right rear.

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

Brakes dragging can cause a pull to one side or another as well.

"E. Meyer" <e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org> wrote in message
news:BD749A7E.9DAFE%e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org...
> On 9/20/04 12:35 PM, in article rxE3d.11474$Qb.6307@fe2.texas.rr.com,
> "Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
> >
> > "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
> > news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
> >> Hi there,
> >>
> >> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
was,
> >> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
> >>
> >> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
the
> >> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
> >> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to
the
> >> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering
wheel,
> >> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the
same
> >> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
> >>
> >> Can anyone think of a reason for this?
> >
> >
>
> If the car doesn't go straight, the possible causes are alignment, bad
> tire(s), air pressure difference between the front tires, or a high crown
in
> the road.
>
> First make sure the air pressure is the same in both front tires. One PSI
> difference is enough to make the car start favoring one side over the
other.
> Find a flat road and test it.
>
> If that checks out, try swapping the front tires and see if it then starts
> to pull to the left. If it still pulls right after swapping the tires
(and
> the road is flat), then find a different mechanic and get the alignment
> checked again - something is out of spec in the suspension.
>
> Have them check the rear as well as the front (you usually have to
> specifically ask them to check the rear). Misalignment of the rear wheels
> can also cause a drift to one side or the other. My last two Hondas both
> had alignment issues in the right rear.
>

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

Brakes dragging can cause a pull to one side or another as well.

"E. Meyer" <e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org> wrote in message
news:BD749A7E.9DAFE%e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org...
> On 9/20/04 12:35 PM, in article rxE3d.11474$Qb.6307@fe2.texas.rr.com,
> "Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
> >
> > "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
> > news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
> >> Hi there,
> >>
> >> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
was,
> >> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
> >>
> >> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
the
> >> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
> >> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to
the
> >> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering
wheel,
> >> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the
same
> >> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
> >>
> >> Can anyone think of a reason for this?
> >
> >
>
> If the car doesn't go straight, the possible causes are alignment, bad
> tire(s), air pressure difference between the front tires, or a high crown
in
> the road.
>
> First make sure the air pressure is the same in both front tires. One PSI
> difference is enough to make the car start favoring one side over the
other.
> Find a flat road and test it.
>
> If that checks out, try swapping the front tires and see if it then starts
> to pull to the left. If it still pulls right after swapping the tires
(and
> the road is flat), then find a different mechanic and get the alignment
> checked again - something is out of spec in the suspension.
>
> Have them check the rear as well as the front (you usually have to
> specifically ask them to check the rear). Misalignment of the rear wheels
> can also cause a drift to one side or the other. My last two Hondas both
> had alignment issues in the right rear.
>

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

True. Unusual on a car this new though.

On 9/20/04 3:35 PM, in article I4Cx71.GzB@news.boeing.com, "curly12"
<curly12@msn.com> wrote:

> Brakes dragging can cause a pull to one side or another as well.
>
> "E. Meyer" <e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org> wrote in message
> news:BD749A7E.9DAFE%e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org...
>> On 9/20/04 12:35 PM, in article rxE3d.11474$Qb.6307@fe2.texas.rr.com,
>> "Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
>>>
>>> "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
>>> news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
>>>> Hi there,
>>>>
>>>> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
> was,
>>>> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>>>
>>>> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
> the
>>>> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
>>>> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to
> the
>>>> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering
> wheel,
>>>> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the
> same
>>>> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>>>>
>>>> Can anyone think of a reason for this?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> If the car doesn't go straight, the possible causes are alignment, bad
>> tire(s), air pressure difference between the front tires, or a high crown
> in
>> the road.
>>
>> First make sure the air pressure is the same in both front tires. One PSI
>> difference is enough to make the car start favoring one side over the
> other.
>> Find a flat road and test it.
>>
>> If that checks out, try swapping the front tires and see if it then starts
>> to pull to the left. If it still pulls right after swapping the tires
> (and
>> the road is flat), then find a different mechanic and get the alignment
>> checked again - something is out of spec in the suspension.
>>
>> Have them check the rear as well as the front (you usually have to
>> specifically ask them to check the rear). Misalignment of the rear wheels
>> can also cause a drift to one side or the other. My last two Hondas both
>> had alignment issues in the right rear.
>>
>
>

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

True. Unusual on a car this new though.

On 9/20/04 3:35 PM, in article I4Cx71.GzB@news.boeing.com, "curly12"
<curly12@msn.com> wrote:

> Brakes dragging can cause a pull to one side or another as well.
>
> "E. Meyer" <e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org> wrote in message
> news:BD749A7E.9DAFE%e52.meyer0SPAM@ieee.org...
>> On 9/20/04 12:35 PM, in article rxE3d.11474$Qb.6307@fe2.texas.rr.com,
>> "Robert" <rsvn@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
>>>
>>> "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
>>> news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
>>>> Hi there,
>>>>
>>>> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
> was,
>>>> so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>>>
>>>> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
> the
>>>> car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
>>>> actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to
> the
>>>> left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering
> wheel,
>>>> let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the
> same
>>>> thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>>>>
>>>> Can anyone think of a reason for this?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> If the car doesn't go straight, the possible causes are alignment, bad
>> tire(s), air pressure difference between the front tires, or a high crown
> in
>> the road.
>>
>> First make sure the air pressure is the same in both front tires. One PSI
>> difference is enough to make the car start favoring one side over the
> other.
>> Find a flat road and test it.
>>
>> If that checks out, try swapping the front tires and see if it then starts
>> to pull to the left. If it still pulls right after swapping the tires
> (and
>> the road is flat), then find a different mechanic and get the alignment
>> checked again - something is out of spec in the suspension.
>>
>> Have them check the rear as well as the front (you usually have to
>> specifically ask them to check the rear). Misalignment of the rear wheels
>> can also cause a drift to one side or the other. My last two Hondas both
>> had alignment issues in the right rear.
>>
>
>

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

what a load of used buffalo food. - absolutely incorrect. take it to a
competent shop and get a 4 wheel alignment. and keep taking it back
till they get it right.

Robert wrote:
> My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
>
> "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
> news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
>
>>Hi there,
>>
>>A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem was,
>>so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>
>>When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel, the
>>car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
>>actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to the
>>left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering wheel,
>>let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the same
>>thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>>
>>Can anyone think of a reason for this?
>
>
>

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

what a load of used buffalo food. - absolutely incorrect. take it to a
competent shop and get a 4 wheel alignment. and keep taking it back
till they get it right.

Robert wrote:
> My CR-V does the same. It is designed that way.
>
> "Michelle" <mb@cacaface.net> wrote in message
> news:414f093a$1_4@news3.es.net...
>
>>Hi there,
>>
>>A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem was,
>>so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>
>>When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel, the
>>car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have to
>>actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel to the
>>left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the steering wheel,
>>let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left it. If I do the same
>>thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the right.
>>
>>Can anyone think of a reason for this?
>
>
>

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

you need a new mechanic. your car needs a 4 wheel alignment.

Michelle wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
> was, so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>
> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
> the car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have
> to actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel
> to the left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the
> steering wheel, let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left
> it. If I do the same thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the
> right.
>
> Can anyone think of a reason for this?

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

you need a new mechanic. your car needs a 4 wheel alignment.

Michelle wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
> was, so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>
> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
> the car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I have
> to actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the steering wheel
> to the left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I can turn the
> steering wheel, let go, and the steering wheel will stay where I left
> it. If I do the same thing on a left turn, it will pull quickly to the
> right.
>
> Can anyone think of a reason for this?

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

Perhaps the car needs an alignment but it is probably within specs. One
cause could be that most roads have some kind of camber (crowned in the
middle) and your car is following the natural curvature of the road. This
can be compensated for in the alignment to some degree.

Just a thought

Larry B.

jim beam wrote:
> you need a new mechanic. your car needs a 4 wheel alignment.
>
> Michelle wrote:
>> Hi there,
>>
>> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
>> was, so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>
>> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
>> the car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I
>> have to actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the
>> steering wheel to the left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I
>> can turn the steering wheel, let go, and the steering wheel will
>> stay where I left it. If I do the same thing on a left turn, it will
>> pull quickly to the right.
>>
>> Can anyone think of a reason for this?

Re: 2003 Civic Veering to the Right - Possible Causes?
 

Perhaps the car needs an alignment but it is probably within specs. One
cause could be that most roads have some kind of camber (crowned in the
middle) and your car is following the natural curvature of the road. This
can be compensated for in the alignment to some degree.

Just a thought

Larry B.

jim beam wrote:
> you need a new mechanic. your car needs a 4 wheel alignment.
>
> Michelle wrote:
>> Hi there,
>>
>> A mechanic recently looked at my car, and could find what the problem
>> was, so the following isn't due wheel alignment, balancing, whatever.
>>
>> When I'm driving in a straight line and let go of the steering wheel,
>> the car starts to veer to the right. To drive in a straight line, I
>> have to actually use (a tiny, tiny bit of) force to push the
>> steering wheel to the left. When I'm on a long turn to the right, I
>> can turn the steering wheel, let go, and the steering wheel will
>> stay where I left it. If I do the same thing on a left turn, it will
>> pull quickly to the right.
>>
>> Can anyone think of a reason for this?