2001 model has a known strut problem. They might not be leaking, but they're
probably not at 100%. The sloppy struts will directly effect the steering feel.
If the car is still under warranty, you might want to address the issue with
your Honda dealership.. If not, I'd keep an eye for a set of Tokico struts (u'll
need to visit a performance shop to get them).

Pars
98 DX Hatch

adsiz wrote:

> To those who commented on my post previously, (just in case you were
> wondering):
> I now got the alignment done.
> Toe was off on both front wheels (was 0.38, but should be 0).
> The alignment mechanic did not find any loose components on the front
> end.
> The car rides somewhat better now but not as good as I would like it to
> be.
> There is no appricable drift to either side now unless I give gas, then
> it pulls to the right as before.
> The tendency of the car to suddenly change direction (however slightly)
> as one feels when deriving on a windy day is still there
> (This reminded me my decades-long-alignment problem with my 1988
> Thunderbird.)
>
> Overall the car rides well. I am about to leave it like that for a
> while. What do you suggest?.
> Adsiz.
>
> "adsiz" <adsiz@dummy.com> wrote in message
> news:qmbtc.1689$mQ4.119@fe2.texas.rr.com...
> > No, I have not done alignment before or after the new tires.
> > It is original alignment done either at the factory (or at the dealer,
> > whichever).
> > I will get the front end checked this weekend and alignment done.
> >
> > Thank you all for your comments.
> > Adsiz
> >
> >
> > "Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message
> news:40B501F0.48CFC683@spam.now...
> > > adsiz wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Our 2001 Honda Civic EX started pulling to the right when
> accelarating.
> > > > Pull is minor but it is annoying and I am also concerned as this can
> be
> > a
> > > > safety hazard.
> > > >
> > > > I noticed this after
> > > > 1)- a front end bodyshop work (for a minor front end damage due to
> > > > rear ending an SUV)
> > > > 2)- having a new set of tires put at a tire dealer
> > > > 3)- Getting state inspection and oil change done
> > > > all completed in the same day in that order ( a big mistake on my
> > part! )
> > >
> > > If I have read your post correctly, you got an alignment and then you
> put
> > on
> > > new front tires, is this correct? The new tires likely differ in tread
> > > height and wear pattern such that they're now adversely affecting the
> > > alignment. I have always done an alignment AFTER installing new tires,
> > not
> > > before. If everything else checks out with your front end, i.e., no
> loose
> > > components as the other poster suggested, then this could be a factor in
> > the
> > > changes you're experiencing.
> > >
> > > Eric
> >
> >

 

Could be the new tires. Sometimes they are defective and the tire
dealer won't tell you that. Sounds too simple but it has happened to
me *twice*. Once the new tires created a pulling effect. The other
time, they created this strange wobbling effect. Both times, it seemed
like it would be an alignment problem. After re-aligning the wheels,
replacing slightly bent rims, etc, I took the tires back to the tire
dealer and insisted on upgrading to a different brand (most recently
Michelins). Problem gone (both times)!!! Hopefully next time I'll
figure this one out sooner, eh?

For you, it might be worth a shot to have them put different tires on
the front and drive the car around and see what happens.

Good luck!!!

B~





Pars <"sdaro(remove)"@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<40BF7FAE.A20677AC@hotmail.com>...
> 2001 model has a known strut problem. They might not be leaking, but they're
> probably not at 100%. The sloppy struts will directly effect the steering feel.
> If the car is still under warranty, you might want to address the issue with
> your Honda dealership.. If not, I'd keep an eye for a set of Tokico struts (u'll
> need to visit a performance shop to get them).
>
> Pars
> 98 DX Hatch
>
> adsiz wrote:
>
> > To those who commented on my post previously, (just in case you were
> > wondering):
> > I now got the alignment done.
> > Toe was off on both front wheels (was 0.38, but should be 0).
> > The alignment mechanic did not find any loose components on the front
> > end.
> > The car rides somewhat better now but not as good as I would like it to
> > be.
> > There is no appricable drift to either side now unless I give gas, then
> > it pulls to the right as before.
> > The tendency of the car to suddenly change direction (however slightly)
> > as one feels when deriving on a windy day is still there
> > (This reminded me my decades-long-alignment problem with my 1988
> > Thunderbird.)
> >
> > Overall the car rides well. I am about to leave it like that for a
> > while. What do you suggest?.
> > Adsiz.
> >
> > "adsiz" <adsiz@dummy.com> wrote in message
> > news:qmbtc.1689$mQ4.119@fe2.texas.rr.com...
> > > No, I have not done alignment before or after the new tires.
> > > It is original alignment done either at the factory (or at the dealer,
> > > whichever).
> > > I will get the front end checked this weekend and alignment done.
> > >
> > > Thank you all for your comments.
> > > Adsiz
> > >
> > >
> > > "Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message
> news:40B501F0.48CFC683@spam.now...
> > > > adsiz wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Our 2001 Honda Civic EX started pulling to the right when
> accelarating.
> > > > > Pull is minor but it is annoying and I am also concerned as this can
> be
> a
> > > > > safety hazard.
> > > > >
> > > > > I noticed this after
> > > > > 1)- a front end bodyshop work (for a minor front end damage due to
> > > > > rear ending an SUV)
> > > > > 2)- having a new set of tires put at a tire dealer
> > > > > 3)- Getting state inspection and oil change done
> > > > > all completed in the same day in that order ( a big mistake on my
> part! )
> > > >
> > > > If I have read your post correctly, you got an alignment and then you
> put
> on
> > > > new front tires, is this correct? The new tires likely differ in tread
> > > > height and wear pattern such that they're now adversely affecting the
> > > > alignment. I have always done an alignment AFTER installing new tires,
> not
> > > > before. If everything else checks out with your front end, i.e., no
> loose
> > > > components as the other poster suggested, then this could be a factor in
> the
> > > > changes you're experiencing.
> > > >
> > > > Eric
> > >
> > >

 

On Thu, 03 Jun 2004 15:44:46 -0400, Pars <"sdaro(remove)"@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>2001 model has a known strut problem. They might not be leaking, but they're
>probably not at 100%. The sloppy struts will directly effect the steering feel.
>If the car is still under warranty, you might want to address the issue with
>your Honda dealership.. If not, I'd keep an eye for a set of Tokico struts (u'll
>need to visit a performance shop to get them).

http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/ doesn't show a strut/damper unit for the
2001+ Civics yet. www.tirerack.com shows Koni and KYB as the only mfrs.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

>
>
> http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/ doesn't show a strut/damper unit for the
> 2001+ Civics yet. www.tirerack.com shows Koni and KYB as the only mfrs.
>

Looks like it's schedule to be released in Spring 2004
http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/new.asp#PRODUCTS

I heard that Koni can be expensive since it requires additional modification. The up
and coming Tokico is suppose to be a simple bolt-on.

Pars

>
> Rgds, George Macdonald
>
> "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

True, it could be the new tires. In the previous post adsiz did mention that his alignment
problem was fixed. But a new set of tires could lead to a different steering feel. One of the
reason I like my Toyo Proxes FZ4, it gives the car a very nice centered feel.

Pars
98 DX Hatch

B~ wrote:

> Could be the new tires. Sometimes they are defective and the tire
> dealer won't tell you that. Sounds too simple but it has happened to
> me *twice*. Once the new tires created a pulling effect. The other
> time, they created this strange wobbling effect. Both times, it seemed
> like it would be an alignment problem. After re-aligning the wheels,
> replacing slightly bent rims, etc, I took the tires back to the tire
> dealer and insisted on upgrading to a different brand (most recently
> Michelins). Problem gone (both times)!!! Hopefully next time I'll
> figure this one out sooner, eh?
>
> For you, it might be worth a shot to have them put different tires on
> the front and drive the car around and see what happens.
>
> Good luck!!!
>
> B~
>
> Pars <"sdaro(remove)"@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<40BF7FAE.A20677AC@hotmail.com>...
> > 2001 model has a known strut problem. They might not be leaking, but they're
> > probably not at 100%. The sloppy struts will directly effect the steering feel.
> > If the car is still under warranty, you might want to address the issue with
> > your Honda dealership.. If not, I'd keep an eye for a set of Tokico struts (u'll
> > need to visit a performance shop to get them).
> >
> > Pars
> > 98 DX Hatch
> >
> > adsiz wrote:
> >
> > > To those who commented on my post previously, (just in case you were
> > > wondering):
> > > I now got the alignment done.
> > > Toe was off on both front wheels (was 0.38, but should be 0).
> > > The alignment mechanic did not find any loose components on the front
> > > end.
> > > The car rides somewhat better now but not as good as I would like it to
> > > be.
> > > There is no appricable drift to either side now unless I give gas, then
> > > it pulls to the right as before.
> > > The tendency of the car to suddenly change direction (however slightly)
> > > as one feels when deriving on a windy day is still there
> > > (This reminded me my decades-long-alignment problem with my 1988
> > > Thunderbird.)
> > >
> > > Overall the car rides well. I am about to leave it like that for a
> > > while. What do you suggest?.
> > > Adsiz.
> > >
> > > "adsiz" <adsiz@dummy.com> wrote in message
> > > news:qmbtc.1689$mQ4.119@fe2.texas.rr.com...
> > > > No, I have not done alignment before or after the new tires.
> > > > It is original alignment done either at the factory (or at the dealer,
> > > > whichever).
> > > > I will get the front end checked this weekend and alignment done.
> > > >
> > > > Thank you all for your comments.
> > > > Adsiz
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message
> > news:40B501F0.48CFC683@spam.now...
> > > > > adsiz wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Our 2001 Honda Civic EX started pulling to the right when
> > accelarating.
> > > > > > Pull is minor but it is annoying and I am also concerned as this can
> > be
> > a
> > > > > > safety hazard.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I noticed this after
> > > > > > 1)- a front end bodyshop work (for a minor front end damage due to
> > > > > > rear ending an SUV)
> > > > > > 2)- having a new set of tires put at a tire dealer
> > > > > > 3)- Getting state inspection and oil change done
> > > > > > all completed in the same day in that order ( a big mistake on my
> > part! )
> > > > >
> > > > > If I have read your post correctly, you got an alignment and then you
> > put
> > on
> > > > > new front tires, is this correct? The new tires likely differ in tread
> > > > > height and wear pattern such that they're now adversely affecting the
> > > > > alignment. I have always done an alignment AFTER installing new tires,
> > not
> > > > > before. If everything else checks out with your front end, i.e., no
> > loose
> > > > > components as the other poster suggested, then this could be a factor in
> > the
> > > > > changes you're experiencing.
> > > > >
> > > > > Eric
> > > >
> > > >

 

adsiz wrote:

> To those who commented on my post previously, (just in case you were
> wondering):
> I now got the alignment done.
> Toe was off on both front wheels (was 0.38, but should be 0).
> The alignment mechanic did not find any loose components on the front
> end.
> The car rides somewhat better now but not as good as I would like it to
> be.
> There is no appricable drift to either side now unless I give gas, then
> it pulls to the right as before.
> The tendency of the car to suddenly change direction (however slightly)
> as one feels when deriving on a windy day is still there
> (This reminded me my decades-long-alignment problem with my 1988
> Thunderbird.)
>
> Overall the car rides well. I am about to leave it like that for a
> while. What do you suggest?.
> Adsiz.
>
> "adsiz" <adsiz@dummy.com> wrote in message
> news:qmbtc.1689$mQ4.119@fe2.texas.rr.com...
>
>>No, I have not done alignment before or after the new tires.
>>It is original alignment done either at the factory (or at the dealer,
>>whichever).
>>I will get the front end checked this weekend and alignment done.
>>
>>Thank you all for your comments.
>>Adsiz
>>
>>
>>"Eric" <say.no@spam.now> wrote in message
>
> news:40B501F0.48CFC683@spam.now...
>
>>>adsiz wrote:
>>>
>>>>Our 2001 Honda Civic EX started pulling to the right when
>
> accelarating.
>
>>>>Pull is minor but it is annoying and I am also concerned as this can
>
> be
>
>>a
>>
>>>>safety hazard.
>>>>
>>>>I noticed this after
>>>> 1)- a front end bodyshop work (for a minor front end damage due to
>>>> rear ending an SUV)
>>>> 2)- having a new set of tires put at a tire dealer
Same problem happenned to me, Unever CV join wear, had them both
replaced and then reinsall original springs, (he lowering was what was
causing wear)



>>>> 3)- Getting state inspection and oil change done
>>>>all completed in the same day in that order ( a big mistake on my
>>
>>part! )
>>
>>>If I have read your post correctly, you got an alignment and then you
>
> put
>
>>on
>>
>>>new front tires, is this correct? The new tires likely differ in tread
>>>height and wear pattern such that they're now adversely affecting the
>>>alignment. I have always done an alignment AFTER installing new tires,
>>
>>not
>>
>>>before. If everything else checks out with your front end, i.e., no
>
> loose
>
>>>components as the other poster suggested, then this could be a factor in
>>
>>the
>>
>>>changes you're experiencing.
>>>
>>>Eric
>>
>>
>
>