96 Passport Alignment Question

About two months ago, I took my Passport into a Honda dealership for an AC
compressor replacement. I asked them to check the alignment because the car
was veering to the right, and I was constantly pulling the wheel to the
left to keep it on the road.

The Honda dealership went to align it and found the tie rods were frozen,
and they had to cut them off and replace them. I assumed they did an
alignment, but when I got the truck back, it still pulled to the right. I
took it back to have them check out the air again, I had them re-check the
alignment. The tech associate said the mechanics checked the alignment and
it was dead on.

It is now 2 weeks later and it is still pulling to the right, and I have
now noticed a slight wobble for a few seconds after I hit a bump. Is this
an alignment issue, or is it more serious. I've seen threads here about
cars pulling to the right, and it being an issue of the vehicle being in an
accident. I purchased this truck used from a dealership in 1999, and
according to them, they didn't know of any accidents. I ran a CarFax
report back then after I had problems with the batteray a day after I drove
it home. The report didn't show anything.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what to look at, or if they just didn't
do a proper alignment, I'd appreciate the comments.

Thanks.

Mike

 

An accident as far as the alignment is concerned can be nothing more than a
big pot hole. The first thing to try is just swap the front wheels side to
side and see if it then pulls to the left. If so, take a hard look at the
tires, one of them is bad. If it continues to pull right, have the front
brakes checked. It could be a sticking brake caliper putting a drag on one
wheel.

Have them check the rear as well as the front.

If you are getting a wobble after you hit a bump, the whole suspension
should be gone over as something is likely worn or damaged. It could be
bushings, ball joints, strut mounts, ... practically anything. Just have it
gone over by a competent shop. Your Honda shop doesn't seem to know the
vehicle very well. Maybe try the Isuzu guys. The Passport is, after all,
an Isuzu Rodeo masquerading as a Honda. If it is to the point that it
wobbles, they should not have any trouble finding the problem, at least that
problem.

Many times, the alignment guys only adjust the easy stuff (toe) and don't
tell you about the "unadjustable" measurements (camber, caster) they don't
want to mess with, which usually involve replacing parts or bending thing
back to spec. Ultimately, you may end up at a frame shop to finally get it
right.

 

Thanks for your quick reply. Last night I swaped the front tires, and
did notice that on both of them the outer edge is wearing more than the
inner. When I took it for a test drive, it was still pulling to the
right.
I will be bringing it in tomorrow to give them one more chance. If not,
then I will look for an Isuzu dealer. I keep forgetting it's really a
Rodeo. (you'd think the Isuzu name plate in the door would remind me
everytime I got in.)

Thanks again.

Mike ARvay