Steering Wheel locks up when i turn- allignment gurus chime

klumklum Senior Wagonist
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
i recently got into a little accident slid into a curb and ****ed my allignment up something crucial. so after i got my car looking better i took her in for an allignment they did wonders to the rear suspension but the front is still a little off it has a little push from the oppisite end im turning into and when i turn the wheel more than 3/4 of a turn left or right the steering wheel will lock up to the left or the right and i can actually just let go of my steering wheel and it will just go in circles not sending the steeringwheel back to the centered position..
ive crashed a civic into a curb before and it did this same thing but i replaced so many other things all at once i dont quite remember what it was that fixed it im hoping some of you honda tech gurus can chime in and help a brotha out. i been thru hell and back to get to this point with my wagon and now it looks like it might be a total loss and id rather not give up on it.
any feed back will help

Comments

  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Sounds like a caster issue. Caster is the angle of the steering pivot front-to-back, and isn't really adjustable on our cars. Check the front crossmember (under the radiator), the radius rods that connect it to the lower control arms, and the bushings on those rods.
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    should i adjust them? or maybe just replace the front cross member that holds the tow hook right?
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    There's no adjustment, just rubber bushings at the crossmember end of the radius rod.
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    so i need to buy bigger bushings ? cant you tighten the radius rod and it will pull it in more? my caster is really negative right now..
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    There are no "bigger bushings" that I know of. If your caster is off you either have a bent crossmember , LCA, steering knuckle etc.
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    314.jpg
    heres the before specs -_- they didnt give me the after spec
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    http://www.customcarscentral.com/inm591 ... 8-91-.html

    315.jpg

    innovative offers caster adjusting bushings to my knowledge so far that ive gathered i just need a bigger outter bushing and a smaller inner bushing to push the caster more positive..
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    http://www.innovativemounts.com/PhotoGa ... Code=59112


    maybe just getting a innovative cross member will be a better choice.. adjustable radius arms..
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    klum wrote:
    http://www.customcarscentral.com/inm59103-honda-civic--88-91-.html

    315.jpg

    innovative offers caster adjusting bushings to my knowledge so far that ive gathered i just need a bigger outter bushing and a smaller inner bushing to push the caster more positive..


    I wasn't aware of that. Makes sense, though.


    BUT... if it was ok before, then not ok after the accident, something's bent.
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    true. lol fuck does any one know if the front subframe is the same on all civics?
  • LayspeedLayspeed Wagonist
    I wouldn't think the subframe would bend, it's pretty stout isn't it? Unless you crashed the curb directly into it? Did you slide into the curb straight on, sideways? How hard did you the curb? Maybe you pushed the front end in slightly and need to have the frame pulled out a bit. And the shop that did the alignment...they have no suggestions/thoughts on what could be wrong? Could you have possibly damaged the steering rack internally causing the 'locking' when turning? I know so many questions, but just trying to help.
  • jt223539jt223539 New Wagonist
    klum wrote:
    true. lol fuck does any one know if the front subframe is the same on all civics?

    The front crossmember is interchangeable between 88-91 Civics. Sounds like it might be time to add traction bars since you are already going to be replacing it anyway.
  • JakerJaker familEE
    If I'm reading that alignment print out right, your front toe is WAY off, and there's not enough positive caster. If the wheel hit the curb hard enough, the crossmember at the back of the engine compartment could have bent substantially as well. That could throw things off pretty badly. Is the wheel still centered in the wheelwell when looking at it from the side of the car? As someone has already mentioned, both the crossmembers are completely common among all the 1988-1991 Civics (Hatch, Wagon, CRX, Sedan).
  • jpciiijpciii familEE
    The steering sensation you describe (not returning to center) is a result of your caster being out of whack. I bet your front lower control arms are bent.
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    Im to OCD im just going to replace everything
    subframe, steering rack, lcas, radius arms, cross member im going to pick and pull to see how much it is after i get my tax return im going to do a hefty write up here
  • Mista808Mista808 Band Wagon
    Had this happen to a friends car not too long ago. Not a Honda but a ford explored.. Truck was in a front accident. Another shopped pulled the frame, and another shop did the body work and paint but when it was all don't the steering was very stiff and when u turned he wheel left or right it would stay in that position.. Turns out tue rack and pinion was slightly bent. Had to explain but the rack and pinion is straight and true so the internals can slide smoothly. Since the tube was bent, the internals would bind up... Look into changing your rack and pinion....
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    replaced lca, radius arms and lcas and got it alligned and it feels almost the same as it used to ( as far as i can remember )
  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    bam-bam wrote:
    There are no "bigger bushings" that I know of. If your caster is off you either have a bent crossmember , LCA, steering knuckle etc.
    Crap, My caster is messed up too and It's driving me nuts! Pretty sure it's going to cost alot to fix this since the junkyard here is empty of EF chassis for me to strip for parts.
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