2004 Honda Accord Steering problem

Greetings

I bought this 2004 new Honda Accord V-6 a month ago. Few days after, I
noticed that the steering was a little strange, and that the car was
pulling to the right.

I took the car to the dealer and they found that the car needed an
alignment job. After this, the car improved a little bit but I still
have this situation with the steering. I feel that turning to the left
offers a lot more resistance than turning to the right.

If I turn to the right the steering wheel will return back to the
center position very gently as the car is moving away from the curve
(like in any other car), But if I turn to the left, the steering wheel
tries to move back to the center position immediately and very
persistently.

The people at the dealer told me that this kind of resistance is
normal because the steering wheel is closer to the left tire.

I also ask them to switch the front tires but this made no difference.

Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanks
Al

 

Sounds like crap to me.

Didn't GM or someone just recall a few hundred thousand cars because
of a problem like this?

J.

 

I hate dealers who pull this crap, they will wait until it is out of
warranty and then tell you want is wrong and how much it will cost to fix.

try another dealer, or better yet escalate to the honda district manager

 

Did you noticed the alignment was off when you test drove the car or did
that occur after you had purchased the car? Did you hit a pot hole or a
curve?

You should go test drive another similar car and see if it feels the same.

Do you have good tire pressure on both sides?
Are these turns on flat/level roads and not ones with crowns?

The closer to left tire explanation might be a good explanation if you're
telling a 5 year old but... ask them to prove that one.

Good luck..

 

Steering wheel return is determined by the front alignment with caster and
steering axis inclination (SAI). If these are off it could cause a return
problem accompanied with a pull. It could also be a problem with the
steering rack. The fluid flow through the valve body of the rack has to be
correct for correct steering application pressure and return. Either way,
it needs to go to a dealer who isn't handing out BS.

 

I have an '04 Accord EX V6 and it also pulls whichever way the road is
crowned. Took it to an independent alignment shop (I don't have much faith
in alignment jobs done under warranty) and was told the castor and camber
are not adjustable on a Honda. He did adjust the toe-in a little but it
still pulls. Guess I'll have to live with it but it sure p----- me off.

 

The "official" way to fix it is by replacing the out of spec parts. You
might want to reconsider the dealer for a warranty alignment.

Otherwise, you need to find a frame alignment shop (the places that
straighten twisted cars after accidents). They will be able to correct any
angles that are wrong by either replacing parts or bending the ones you have
back into spec.