Steering Problem on Brand New 2003 Legacy Wagon

[Adam Udlis]

Hi:
I think my brand new 2003 Legacy Wagon has it's steering set to much to the
right. When I amon the freeway it will drift to the right fairly quickly( 2
lanes worth if I let it). Should it not track better. I have tried to find
new pavement to try this but there isn't much around here. Is this a common
problem. Don't thtey have factory specifications?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jamie

 

[Bertram]

Usually indicates you need a front end alignment. Check with your dealer...
not a big problem.

I just got a 2004 Forester and I don't have that problem.

 

[Ron]

My '02 Legacy wagon had a slight pull to the right when I first got it.
Steering wheel was even rotated about 3 or 4 degrees off center. Turned out
to be an alignment issue, which they corrected no charge. I'd take it in
soon, however... alignments aren't usually a warranty item, so if you wait
5000 miles they might say "You've driven it for awhile, you must've knocked
it out of alignment while driving." Plus misalignment can mess up your tire
wear.

-Ron

 

[Jim Stewart]

My '02 Legacy wagon had a slight pull to the right when I first got it.
Steering wheel was even rotated about 3 or 4 degrees off center. Turned out
to be an alignment issue, which they corrected no charge. I'd take it in
soon, however... alignments aren't usually a warranty item, so if you wait
5000 miles they might say "You've driven it for awhile, you must've knocked
it out of alignment while driving." Plus misalignment can mess up your tire
wear.

Get it handled now. No sense scrubbing rubber off your tires
and lessening the enjoyment of your new car. I have a '99
Legacy wagon and it's tracked perfectly from day one and
still does with 86k on the clock so it's not something
you should have to put up with.

Also consider the possibility that it's not alignment. A sprung
frame from shipping damage comes to mind, though it's pretty
unlikely.

In any case, get the dealer to fix it.

 

[TransFixed]

Get it handled now. No sense scrubbing rubber off your tires
and lessening the enjoyment of your new car. I have a '99
Legacy wagon and it's tracked perfectly from day one and
still does with 86k on the clock so it's not something
you should have to put up with.

Also consider the possibility that it's not alignment. A sprung
frame from shipping damage comes to mind, though it's pretty
unlikely.

In any case, get the dealer to fix it.

Uneven tire pressure will do it, too.

- D.

 

[TM]

I fixed the drifting problem in two Outbacks, by simply moving the front
tires to the rear.

For the steering wheel position you may need to take it to be aligned.

If you are mechanically inclined: I adjusted the tie-rods, taking from
one side and giving to the other the same amount of turns. To fix 1.5"
of wheel deviation (measured on the wheel OD) it required 3/12" (1 and
1/2 nut sides) rotation on the tie-rod. I marked everything in the
tie-rod (balljoint end, nut, rack end) with a paint marker, before
changing anything so I would know precisely what to move and in what
direction.

Good luck!