fkacct

I had the Defcons 1+ installed last month and the installer forgot to put in the metal insert into the PowerFlex bushing on the driver's side control arm. I had erratic steering that would dangerously swing to the left during acceleration and back when braking. I drove around with like this for about a week believing that, as the installer had told me, the alignment is simply off since the control arms were taken apart.

Alignment shop spotted the problem when they realized that the driver's side wheel was loose and unalignable. The installer shop fixed the issue and got the car realigned when I took the car back to them. However, now the wheel still jerks to the left (20 to 30 degrees) when I accelerate (and only when I accelerate) . I took the car back to them yesterday again and they told me that the problem could be from the axel since all the bushings seem to be fine, but that I should get a second opinion from an alignment specialist since they are only guessing and they are not familiar with these types of issues.

So, my question is whether leaving out the control arm bushing metal insert (which is pretty much like leaving out the control arm bushing altogether) can cause damage to the axel as a result of the left front driver's side wheel being "loose in it's socket."

Also, can a bad alignment cause the car to push left during acceleration (and only acceleration)?

fkacct

Almost forgot, I had to pay $400 for two new Toyo T1R tires (only had like 5,000 miles on the old ones) after driving around for a week. The installer didn't bother marking the bolt position on the control arms before taking them apart so alignment was completely off.

Basttion

Shakes head. Makes me very nervous about trusting shops...

DumpTTruck

Could it just be torque steer?

fkacct

No, its a quattro 225 and I don't recall having this problem before the install

GorTT

with a bolt rattling around loose inside them for a week - esp if you ruined two tires. Are you FWD? Lots more torque steer in FWD's, and that's what it sounds like.

TTschwing

Could have gotten "Wallowed" out during that week with no metal insert. It possibly no longer fits precisely into the Poly inserts (as it needs to) and you still have some movement there....My bet. The axle story is to cover their butt out of ignorance (or reluctance to accept their screw-up)..

I would insist on a complete re-do and new Powerflex w/alignment on that side...

Death sTTar

I couldn't agree more. There are only 2 places I trust with my car.

fkacct

But shop told me they ordered new DEFCON and bushing from you as to have no other problems.....

TTschwing

Who would have placed the order?

fkacct

can a bad alignment job cause this?