I've been chasing a slight right drift in my car for the last year or two. Multiple alignments at multiple shops haven't cured it. Doesn't seem to affect tires, just slightly annoying. Basically have to hold the wheel very slightly to the left when driving. Yes, I realize roads are crowned, but it takes quite an angle in the other direction to put the wheel straight or to get the car to drift left at speed. I've been playing with additional camber over the past couple years as well, I noticed when I installed my offset ball joints that the amount of thread showing between the driver and passenger is quite different. I noticed the same when I went back to brand new OEM ball joints about 4 months ago. Driver side is what I would consider to be normal. Passenger side doesnt insert into the lower control arm as far. I can just barely get a cotter pin in, but I can get one installed with proper torque.

1. Any ideas on what else to check on the drift, I do need to check subframe alignment, but anything else to look at?
2. How bad is the ball joint situation, bad enough to swap in two new control arms or at least a new passenger?
3. Could the two be related in some way? Alignment being good multiple times says no, but who knows.

 

Whats your Caster ?

 

6 degrees plus, would have to dig up the sheet but I know its not a caster issue.

 

Is there any chance that the steering wheel is off by one spline? In other words, it needs to be centered with respect to the tire's centerline direction?

 

Tie rods. They'll make the car wander if they start getting loose. Grab them and twist them with your hand if you can pivot the tie rod easily change it. Inner and outer factory ones start wearing out after 150k miles. I went 254k miles on original inner tie rods, they were doing what you're describing. Making it hard to keep the car straight, more likely to tram line along road imperfections.

 

I centered the rack and wheel when I put a new one (steering wheel) on this winter. Spun the wheel to each limit, divided by two, put the wheel in the center. I guess it is possible since theres no way to lock the rack in the center spot.

 

Replaced inner and outer about 10k miles ago, I cannot move them by hand but they pivot freely with a wrench on the tie rod.

 

Rack bushings good? Wheel bearings good?

 

If your alignment is good, it may be a slightly warped knuckle?

 

Solid Spoon bushings in the rack. Bearings were done 2-3 years ago.