[solovus]

My STi seems to drift a bit when I let go of the steering wheel...the steering wheel is also maybe 1-2 degrees right of top center when I am (when I think I am) going straight...has anybody else had these problems...?
My 02 WRX doesnt do this at all, but I dont know if just has something to do with the softness of the steering on my 02....

[RallySportDirect]

Make sure that you actually find a straight and flat road. As most roads are crowned for water run off.
If you do have a problem it should be covered under warranty as they might not have done a proper alignment.

[austinpike]

First, check your tire pressures to make sure they are where they should be. If one tire is over/underinflated that can cause pulling to one side.

But the STi has always seemed to come from the factory with random alignment settings. if there is an issue, I agree you should be able to get an alignment done under warranty.

[talsnic]

The dealer would not let me take the car off the lot, until they did an alignment

[Subw00er]

mine was off from the factory, there is a thread on here about it. Take it back to get aligned.

[subielife]

just took my car to the dealer yesterday because my wheel was not centered. the toe was out of spec on the car and it was covered under warranty. steering wheel is dead center now.

[the ambush]

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/2008-sti...ml#post1765171

[solovus]

Is there a way to merge the two threads instead of just posting a link to the other one?

[GeorgeWrx]

I had a dealer alignment last Thursday because something did not feel right. Also if you straightened the wheel the car would go left. I just got done with a 600 mile trip this weekend and can now describe the problem better. I can steer the car with my foot! Push on the gas slightly and the car goes left. Let off the gas and the car goes right. Steady on the gas and it tracks fairly straight maybe to the left a little. Anyone else see this or have an opinion?

[Subw00er]

I had that exact problem. I thought it was torque steer, and omg what a pita to deal with. Its NOT torque steer. Bring it back for the alignment again and make them check the tire pressure as well. The first time I brought it in they only aligned the front!? My car tracks straight now, even under accelleration.

[solovus]

Well, I am going to the dealer tommorrow for the alignment. The woman said alignments are NOT part of their pre-inspection...but it is a warranty repair.

[GeorgeWrx]

Thanks Subw00er, you give me hope that I did not make a big mistake with this car. I brought it back this morning to the dealer and road tested with them - it still pulls left on acceleration and right on deaceleration. The mechanic said thats the way it is with the wide tires and shafts that are unequal lengths. He said the alignment is in spec according to the numbers. They let me drive a new STI with 7.5 miles and it did not do it, although it felt similar as far as the road and tires trying to steer the car for you. They just had their 12 year old alignment rack calibrated so if I insisted on another alignment, it would just come out the same. I am now looking for a tire place with newer alignment equipment. It is very tiring to drive for 5 hours and every time you let off the gas you have to counter steer to avoid the right hand lane.

[solovus]

Originally Posted by GeorgeWrx

The mechanic said thats the way it is with the wide tires and shafts that are unequal lengths. He said the alignment is in spec according to the numbers.

That mechanic sounds like an a$$ nugget. Try another dealer with newer equipment....you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket just becaue they have old tools.

[Subw00er]

go somewhese else. the car does pull into road ruts (not nearly as bad as my vette), but on a new road it does track straight.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by GeorgeWrx

The mechanic said thats the way it is with the wide tires and shafts that are unequal lengths. He said the alignment is in spec according to the numbers.

I'm sorry but a Subaru mechanic said this? You should have reminded him that Subarus are equipped with symmetrical AWD. The half-shafts on a Subaru are equal length, which really helps reduce torque steer.

The tires can cause some pulling while driving but what you are describing sounds like a bad thrust angle/toe alignment issue.

I still can't believe he said it was due to unequal length half-shafts.