Hey all,
I have a 2003 Eddie Bauer 4wd Expedition. It's got 112K on it. Up until a few weeks ago it has stayed in alignment pretty much. That changed when I was leaving the local convenience store in the snow. I didn't know the lot very well and everything was covered with snow and I ended up hitting the drivers side on a curb. I think the only thing that was hit was the tire. Nothing else hangs that low.
After that small ding, my steering wheel is now off center. Instead of being nice and level, like it is supposed to be, the wheel is now oriented at 8 o'clock and 2 o'clock. When I drive it, it's VERY squirrely above 45mph. It pulls to the left and sometimes it gets downright scary to drive. I've got to get it fixed.
What I don't understand is what went out of alignment to cause this? I had both tires off yesterday trying to replace the Upper Control Arms and Tie Rod end, but was unable to remove one of the bolts that secures the control arm. I looked at these part and nothing was broken or even bent yet my car is out of whack.
I watch these YT videos where the people say you can align your vehicle pretty close to normal yourself. It is usually them adjusting the Tie Rod End on each side. Both of those bushings have a rather long threaded piece that screws onto the end of the tie rod. They haven't moved. Not a thing looked out of sorts, but it is.
Can you all tell me how it could've went out of alignment when those parts underneath appear just as they did before I hit the curb? If the tie rod ends do need adjustment, I can certainly do that, but it seems like I'd have to put several turns on whatever one is causing the problem to get the steering wheel back to being straight across and the car driving and handling like it should.
Please help if you can. I NEED it.
Thanks
Larry
I have a 2003 Eddie Bauer 4wd Expedition. It's got 112K on it. Up until a few weeks ago it has stayed in alignment pretty much. That changed when I was leaving the local convenience store in the snow. I didn't know the lot very well and everything was covered with snow and I ended up hitting the drivers side on a curb. I think the only thing that was hit was the tire. Nothing else hangs that low.
After that small ding, my steering wheel is now off center. Instead of being nice and level, like it is supposed to be, the wheel is now oriented at 8 o'clock and 2 o'clock. When I drive it, it's VERY squirrely above 45mph. It pulls to the left and sometimes it gets downright scary to drive. I've got to get it fixed.
What I don't understand is what went out of alignment to cause this? I had both tires off yesterday trying to replace the Upper Control Arms and Tie Rod end, but was unable to remove one of the bolts that secures the control arm. I looked at these part and nothing was broken or even bent yet my car is out of whack.
I watch these YT videos where the people say you can align your vehicle pretty close to normal yourself. It is usually them adjusting the Tie Rod End on each side. Both of those bushings have a rather long threaded piece that screws onto the end of the tie rod. They haven't moved. Not a thing looked out of sorts, but it is.
Can you all tell me how it could've went out of alignment when those parts underneath appear just as they did before I hit the curb? If the tie rod ends do need adjustment, I can certainly do that, but it seems like I'd have to put several turns on whatever one is causing the problem to get the steering wheel back to being straight across and the car driving and handling like it should.
Please help if you can. I NEED it.
Thanks
Larry