Automotive Forums

Hi everyone,

I'm an owner of a 2004 Honda Civic - Value Package model -  I was hoping to get some advice.

Problem:  The car is veering off to the right.  Whenever on the freeway, there's a slight vibration in the steering wheel, and car keeps wanting to veer to the right.  As long as i hold the steering wheel firmly, then i'm okay.  I suspect its just a wheel alignment problem, but i'm not sure.   I'd hate to pay $75 for a wheel alignment and not have that be the problem.  The car only has 13,000 miles on it, the tires are like brand new.  The only thing i can think of that may have started the whole problem is that i had my tires rotated a month or two ago -- maybe they did something wrong?  The tires are all fully pressured, and seem okay.  Could it be anything else?  And if so, do you think a service contract would cover something to do with the steering?  I believe my service contract would cover something that was defective, but they may just try to say that this is just "wear and tear".   I have no problem paying for the alignment as long as its needed.  Any thoughts?  i'd sure appreciate it, thanks!  

what are the tire pressures at?  Fully pressurized should be around 32-36 psi no more, no less.  

It sounds like a simple alignment problem.  

As of a few hrs ago, my tire pressure for all tires were at about 32 psi.  Only one of them (rear right) was at 35 psi.  

I would say bring it back to the place where you got your tires rotated and tell them that its pulling to the right ever since you had your tires rotoated, but that was a month ago and they most likely will say they cant be held responsible since it was so long ago.  

There's no good reason why the car should be out of alignment after a rotation. What's more likely: the wheel(s) weren't torqued to specifications and the bolts are loose, or a wheel that was unbalanced and unnoticed on the rear is now located in a very noticeable position on the front.  

Thanks for the responses!!  i sure appreciate it.  

Radial tires should always be rotated back tires to the front,front
tires to the back on the same side. Could they have rotated side to
side ? Call and ask how they did your rotation, the vibration could
be one or more of the tires was not correctly balanced before it/they were mounted. Check this out before spending money on what sounds like an un-needed alignment.