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2000 Buick Lesabre Alignment

Tiny
CADDY1949
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 39,000 MILES
I hit a large bump in the road last week. Took it to Sears the following day. They did an alignment (4) wheels. No change. The vehicle wanders and must be constantly corrected. I know that the Lesabre has only one drive wheel (left front) and it torques to the left, but this is different. It wanders to the left, I correct to the right. It wanders to the right, I correct to the left and this goes on forever. The steering wheel is cocked to the left, very slightly and when I make a turn, the wheel doesn't want to return to the straight forward position.
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 3:26 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
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Normally it sounds like an excessive toe-in problem, hopefully put a real alignment tech on the job that day. I assume the tires are good.

The upper strut mounts or ball joints may be binding bivng it memory steer. Get the front end in the air and see if the wheels will move in a turning motion reasonably easy.
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
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Posted at Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:02 pm
By Service Writer, Certified 2CarPros Master Technician
(427) Give Feedback | Votes: 64

Normally it sounds like an excessive toe-in problem, hopefully put a real alignment tech on the job that day. I assume the tires are good.

The upper strut mounts or ball joints may be binding givng it memory steer. Get the front end in the air and see if the wheels will move in a turning motion reasonably easy.
_________________
Paul

I bought the car from a Cadillac dealer last May.
It had 37,225 miles on it. A new lft. Frnt caliper was installed, 4 new cooper tires, and an alignment was done prior to purchase. I've put about 2,200 miles on it during the 10 months I've owned it. It was perfectly, as good as new until I hit that bump in the road.

Thank you Paul!
I will return to Sears Monday and will reply again afterwards.
Thanks Very Much.
Mike...
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 4:40 PM
Tiny
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Have them check very closely at the lower control arms and the rear bushings on the control arms. IF you whacked it hard enough one is probably bent.
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
CADDY1949
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Have them check very closely at the lower control arms and the rear bushings on the control arms. IF you whacked it hard enough one is probably bent.

Thanks, Paul. Hope that's not the case.

Mike...
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
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Well my logic is that the potential binding would be related if it forced the control arm back.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_les_1.jpg



The tow points of attachement are the strut and the ball joint....hopefully the spindle is alright. If this is the case, I would expect the stab links will need replacement as the usually don't come off..at least here in the north east US
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
CADDY1949
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I'll print this out and take it to Sears. I can't thank you enough. I'm trying to make a donation but it won't allow, stating it's an improper amount. I'll keep trying.

Mike...
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
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Thanks Mike!

You had success. Hope you get more at Sears.

For what it matters, I encourage you to find an independent shop yo start working with. The need and appreciate the business and when you have a serious problem, they take previous visits into consideration. More often than not.
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 7:57 PM
Tiny
CADDY1949
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Thanks, Paul-

I've had good luck with one shop, but prices have gotten too high since they've changed hands. I'll hope for a good experience with Sears tomorrow, but if not, I'll go back to the dealer that I bought it from. They replaced the left front caliper last year as I've said and they did a perfect alignment. I was very pleased. I'm also happy with your help and will tell you the outcome tomorrow.

Mk-
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Sunday, March 9th, 2008 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
CADDY1949
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Thanks again, Paul:
I went to sears again Monday. They said that they couldn't find anything wrong with the suspension. They aligned it again and no difference. I'm thinking that there may be some valve metering system for the variable steering and the pressure from hitting that bump may have damaged a valve, regulator or seal?

I really don't know much about these newer systems, therefore, I'm taking it to the Cadillac dealer this week, hopefully. I'm taking care of a sick family member as of today so I don't know the problem yet, I will tell you what the Dealer Mechanic says, so you can put it in your records for future reference.

Thanks, Paul;

mk-
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Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
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I'm curious as to what the dealer finds.

"usually" a code will come up for the variable effort steering when a problem comes up.
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Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 AT 3:53 PM

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