KYRealtor

After replacing all 4 struts on my 99RX300, strut mounts, and bearings too I'm having strange reaction to handling.

If I make a left turn and then straighten out to drive it pulls to the left. When I make right turn and straighten out to drive, it pulls to the right. If I stop and over correct the wheel it will drive without pulling.

According to the alignment at the local shop (not dealer) it is within standards, however after taking it apart several times to confirm everything is indexed correctly it still pulls. tried rotating tires.

Prior to changing it drove perfectly with 240,000 miles. Local shop mentioned "memory steer" but I can't find anything regarding this condition.

Has anyone had this issue?

code58

Sorry, but I think the mechanic made that one up. Sounds to me like the bearings in the upper strut mount plates are to tight. Did he use aftermarket parts on the car? I can't think of anything else that would tend to bind like that. The struts shouldn't make any difference because the strut rod pivots on the upper bearing. The upper mount only holds the bearing. Did your car have no memory for 240k mi. and now it has developed a memory??? Most of us lose our memory when we age, not gain one. Still think that the only place it could be. When you stop and over correct the wheel and it doesn't pull, that only means you have put it in a place "that it's still pulling", only this time "it's pulling straight". There's nothing else that changed (or would have) with the replacement of parts, but the binding of the bearing that carries the upward weight of the front of the car. He won't like it, but he needs to remove the bearings and replace with OEM bearings and watch to make CERTAIN that the assembly is indeed correct when the strut and spring and upper strut mount plate and bearing is assembled. Bet the problem goes away.

artbuc

Roger, this doesn't sound like "memory steer" to me. It sounds more like tight muffler bearings caused by inadequate lubrication. A good mechanic would have identified the problem immediately.

KYRealtor

and maybe my water level is low in my water pump too!

I performed the change on the car, I'll need to see what parts I bought from Rock Auto but how would they be too tight? I'm thinking out loud right now so bear with me.

thomas1

I wonder if they got the left and right bearing upper mount crossed.

KYRealtor

hmmm thats possible but I'm going to see what the torque is n the top strut nut is reading, perhaps I set it too tight and it is not allowing the car to return to center

thomas1

I doubt if the torque would do that, but the miss alignment of the upper mount could cause a bind on the shock strut and not allow it to bounce back to normal....

code58

Art- I had some loose muffler bearings once- sounded like I had a bunch of marbles in there. I took it to the shop and they drained the marbles and now I've lost my marbles. It just goes from bad to worse.... almost like this Presidential Administration.