steering wheel tilts to the left, even after alignment

[Kwhistle]

So I have this problem with the steering wheel on 98 OBW. Been trying to figure out a vibration that comes on at ~60mph, got the wheels reballanced. This didn't fix the problem, so took the car for a second round of reballancing. The guy's been pushing hard for me to get new tires (which I didn't need and can't afford at the moment), and after I drove off, not only did the vibration not go away, but now the car tilts to the left with the steering wheel turning about 1/4 turn to the left if I don't hold it straight. Alignment didn't fix this. I replaced front caliper, but that did nothing.

 

Any suggestions?

[lewisd]

did you have an actual alignement or just reballanced tires? are they are worn unevenly on one edge (alignment) or spots going around the entire tire (cupping from bouncing old shocks)? maybe rotate the tire around (paying attention if they are directional or not) to where it's not bad vibration/pulling until you can get new set of tires. Just check theres no grinding or rough sound coming from wheel bearing.

[Kwhistle]

did you have an actual alignement or just reballanced tires? are they are worn unevenly on one edge (alignment) or spots going around the entire tire (cupping from bouncing old shocks)? maybe rotate the tire around (paying attention if they are directional or not) to where it's not bad vibration/pulling until you can get new set of tires. Just check theres no grinding or rough sound coming from wheel bearing.

 

I had both balancing and alignment done. Seems that vibration issue is with one of the wheels. I moved one from front driver's side to the back, and I feel a lot less vibration. So I suspect it's either the tire or the wheel. Somebody here suggested that the tire may have a defective steel belt. I'm yet to find the time to move the suspect wheel from rear driver side to rear passenger side and see what, if anything, changes.

 

As to the car pulling to the left, moving that wheel to the back didn't affect that any--still pulls to the left with steering wheel turning 1/4 turn to the left.

[johnceggleston]

if the car pulls to the left then the alignment is wrong. have them re-do it.

[Kwhistle]

if the car pulls to the left then the alignment is wrong. have them re-do it.

 

That's what I've been suspecting all along, but could it also be something else, like the rear caliper?

[ShawnW]

It pulls when you apply the brakes or all the time?

 

This car needs a thorough inspection by someone that knows Subaru's. If they can't align it well enough to get the steering wheel straight when they are done they aren't doing a good job.

[Kwhistle]

It pulls when you apply the brakes or all the time?

 

This car needs a thorough inspection by someone that knows Subaru's. If they can't align it well enough to get the steering wheel straight when they are done they aren't doing a good job.

 

It pulls all the time, brake or no brake. I had alignment done at Midas, so will go back there tomorrow, and hopefully this will fix this issue for good. Just wanted to check with the pros here if there is anything else I should keep in mind, aside from alignment. I have about zero faith in Midas (or other similar chains) but figured that computerized alignment would be pretty much impossible to screw up...