Is this normal?

[pacman99]

Hi,
This may seem like a dumb question but i've been driving a crappy sunfire all this time so I don't really know much about handling and what not. I just recently bought my integra and was wondering if this behaviour was normal:
On certain roads, the steering wheel, when let go, automatically begins to turn to the right and the car begins to drift to the right (or left, depending on the road). On some roads, I have to firmly grip the steering wheel so it doesn't start turning on me. I've driven my sunfire on the same roads and haven't had this problem.

Just wondering if this is normal on integras and I just have to get used to it or I got screwed over by a dealer again lol.

Thanks~

[superbluecivicsi]

alignment would be my first shot.

[CivicSpoon]

I have a similar problem with my civic, my friends say it's some bushing that is beat (couldn't hear what one because there was a loud engine reving when they were telling me). I noticed it this past winter and once I put on my summer rims (much wider), there was no understeer like there was last summer. I also have no power steering, but it almost feels the same as my rent's cars that do have it. So check the alignment and then check for any damaged bushings, if the alignment is ok.

[pacman99]

if the alignment was off though, wouldn't the car sort of vibrant when i brake on the highway (when i'm at high speeds?) Because it doesn't in my case. But i guess i can have that checked out, not that expensive.

So it's not normal eh. Good :P

[spaminator]

a car that needs alignment doesn't shake it just drifts

You're think of a tire out of balance.
It's possible that the bushings need to be replaced. Order a set of Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings if you choose to go that route

[pacman99]

i had it looked at by my mechanic. He said the wheel bearings at the back are bad or something...something along those lines hehe..anyways since i just bought this car, he said to try getting the dealer to fix it for free and then if not, then i guess i'll have to spend some money

bushings = wheel bearings?

[grimmis]

thats not normal. my teg did it when i first got it and it as just the alignment but if you get the alignment redone and it starts to do it again its a suspension problem

[eurobeaner]

bushings are not wheel bearings....... wheel bearings are what holds your axle inside the hub and keep it spinning freely.... bushings are suppost to put a little cushion between the places where something needs bolted (on suspension)

-IB-BI-... I=a bracket B=bushing -=bolt

[x1o4gboi]

is the car eating up your tires? my brothers car does is sorta like that too. In the rain it slides even more and check your camber kit.

[pacman99]

tires seem fine but it's weird. 2 weeks ago I put air in all four tires, 32psi for front, 30psi in the rear. Today I check back and has like 5psi, Front are fine. So that could have been it. I'll drive it a bit more and see if that fixes anything.

[~ls/vtec~]

check your tie rod ends. or just replace them. theyre not that expensive and they cause that sort of thing. that is if your car is still doing that after you put air in your tires.

[pacman99]

although it's doing it less, it's still doing it but on SOME roads not all. I think it's just that I have to get used to a car with so much handling because if this problem really was with the car, then I think it should happen on all roads, including the highway where the road is perfectly straight and levelled :P
What do you guys think?

[Chad51]

My '92 Integra has a similar problem. It used to be really bad but I had new tires put on and the problem was pretty well gone but I am starting to notice it a little bit again even though the tires all seem fine. Might take it for an alignment though and see what the results are.

[tycburgess]

One more thing. I don't know how much drift your getting, but i've noticed in uni-body vehicles a tendency to drift a bit with the leaning of the road, as it were. 'course you'd probly notice that with your sunfire, but just a thought

[pacman99]

yea that's why I was a bit worried. I took my sunfire on the same route for about a year, when it was raining, snowing like crazy, really icy, and perfect road conditions. I barely felt any drifting, even during icy conditions. But as soon as I got my integra, it began to drift on certain roads but runs fine on others.
You're right, maybe I should just get an alignment and see if that fixes it. The tires don't seem that great either so that might be the problem. If i kept driving like this, other than annoying me, woudl there be any other serious consequences? I'm sort of broke right now I'm going to do the timing belt on this soon so..