Questions and Answers

Honda Civic Wagon Darts And Wanders Q. Sir, Perhaps you can help me out wit a steering problem with my Honda Civic. 1990 Honda Civic Wagon 1.5 liter Manual transmission 195,000 miles Fuel Injection ABS brakes P/S, A/C, cruise control Rack and pinion steering

Problem. When I'm driving down an "asphalt" road with wear grooves in the lane, indentations in the road surface, the car wants to dart all over the place and follow these ruts. I realize some of this is a natural tendency but in my case it is extreme and at times dangerous.

I have checked the obvious things such as: tires and pressure, shocks, wheel bearings, jacked the car up, no slop. The front tires are not wearing abnormally at all. What do you think my problem is?

Obviously something is worn or out of adjustment but I don't want to shot gun the problem and change parts unnecessarily. On a smooth concrete or asphalt road I don't have any noticeable problem.

Thanks,
Dan

A. I would try rotating the tires and see if that helps. This won't eliminate the tires, but it will eliminate the possibility of a bad tire. It could very well be the tread pattern of the tire causing the problem. If it still does it, have the wheel alignment checked.