[ft1980]

I'm trying to figure out an odd steering issue. It's difficult to explain, but one thing I can explain is that it doesn't want to recenter. In other words, you have to recenter it yourself after a turn to go straight. The problem is more severe in slower speeds and smaller turns. If you accelerate fast after a sharp turn, the wheel will return, but slowly and not all the way. And on small steering adjustments, the steering just sticks to wherever you turned it to. This is what I'm ruling out so far unless my thinking is mistaken:

1. I really doubt it's an alignment issue since I got one today and even before the alignment it didn't pull left or right. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, the steering returning to center is more of a castor issue which I'm not sure can be adjusted.

2. I don't believe it has anything to do with the power steering. I changed the power steering fluid since it was disgusting and way overdue for a change. There is noticeably less effort needed to move the steering wheel, but the issue remains similar to before. I might give it another go at it since maybe not all the old fluid was removed. I did use honda specific fluid.

I will jack up the car and see if there's any play. The only things left I can think of are:

1. Worn ball joints. However, the car doesn't vibrate and it doesn't wander too much. Or at least it seems this way.

2. Worn/bent steering rack. Not sure how to check this.


Sorry if I rambled too much. I'm just trying to paint a good picture. Does anyone have any idea what it might be? What else should I look for? Thanks in advance.

 

[Hudouc]

I think you're right. Something is binding up pretty badly.

 

[ft1980]

I think you're right. Something is binding up pretty badly.

Thinking it's the steering rack or ball joint?

 

[08 v6/6]

First and foremost, check alignment to ensure this is not playing a factor, but that aside....

My car is the same way pretty much, EVERYTHING is new in the front end. Upper and lower control arms, rims, tires, coilovers, axles and inner/outer tie rods I did 5 years ago when I bought the car.

This is not a problem guys, this is a circumstance of a few factors. Mainly I would blame the geometry of the car, Secondly the tires you are using will greatly influence whether it returns to straight or not. Lastly CASTER is the main culprit for the steering wheel to not want to return to center.

My brother tl-s 08 isn't very good at going back to center either. Our 02 MDX we used to have would SNAP back to center like it had a mind of its own.

Frankly I prefer when it doesn't return to center. I feel you get better steering input that way and can truly feel the rd instead of fighting the cars want to drive straight (not a very good thing when you are spirited driving). Stiff steering is what I prefer cause it allows the car to track better (in whatever direction you are trying to head).

 

[ft1980]

I would agree with you, but I'm almost certain there is some "bind" somewhere. Especially since it "ticks" when the steering is kinda trying to recenter. Like the second hand on a watch. This is on my sister's 2009 accord that I'm trying to sort out. I have a 2015 accord which returns to center smoothly and predictably. Granted, the two cars are different generations. My only guess so far are ball joints. The car has 170,000 miles.

 

[08 v6/6]

If the suspension is not up to snuff then that could be an issue but like I said, my car doesn't exactly return to center very fluently either. The stiffer the tire the better it will typically re-center.

Ticking in the steering wheel could be anything. I swapped my steering wheel on my previous car and the band around the steering column that makes the wheel buttons function got uncoiled and I had to put it all back together. After I did that the wheel would make an odd sound when turning a full turn or more. Maybe that could be the sound?

 

[Davidpeab]

Silly question time. When you replaced the PSF, did you flush the system or just do a couple of swaps from old to new fluid? Also, did you turn the steering wheel from lock to lock to purge any air in the system?

Clicking noise when the car is sitting still is indicative a failing rack and pinion. If it is clicking, especially from one side, while turning it could be a failing axle CV joint. It could also be binding in the steering column, perhaps the U joint.

 

[08 v6/6]

Not sure if you guys are aware but (the lower year) honda accords have a TSB for the steering column. The bearing IIRC fails and or the clearances open up and you get a weird knocking from the steering column when steering. My car ONLY happens if the car is off and you try to dry steer, very pronounces knock which originates from the steering rack where the column goes inside. But I can imagine it could be worse and this may be a gremlin people are clueless about. They only way to fix this issue is a new steering column (which I opted not to do).

 

[slimm1469]

Check the rack for seepage. It's not uncommon. It's supposedly a sealed unit but with age & mileage, it may be low on fluid.

 

[Tom Silvia]

I had the exact same problem on my car it was a frozen lower ball joint, if you plan on changing them your self make sure you get a honda specific lower ball joint remover kit, the large set of ones from the auto parts store didn’t work for me.

 

[Hudouc]

Not sure if you guys are aware but (the lower year) honda accords have a TSB for the steering column. The bearing IIRC fails and or the clearances open up and you get a weird knocking from the steering column when steering. My car ONLY happens if the car is off and you try to dry steer, very pronounces knock which originates from the steering rack where the column goes inside. But I can imagine it could be worse and this may be a gremlin people are clueless about. They only way to fix this issue is a new steering column (which I opted not to do).

Do you happen to know the TSB number? My car has exactly what you car has too.

 

[08 v6/6]

I'm not sure, I used to use a honda mechanic on the side who had all that info but then he gave me my car back with a dented roof and a crappy clutch job so no more of him.