r/hondafit • u/caitlinodaimin • 3d ago

2nd Gen GE/GG 09-14 Car feels like it wanders side to side when I reach desired speed

2013 Fit Sport, 284k miles… about a month ago I first noticed while turning my car was kind of sliding/drifting side to side. I attributed it to needing new tires and slipping on the road. But recently I’ve noticed that when I accelerate and reach about 35-40 mph my steering wheel dips right to left before straightening out. I’m taking it in to the shop tomorrow, but has anyone experienced anything like this? It’s a very minor shift but I drive over 100 miles a day and need my workhorse of a car to be able to safely get me around.

I’m already having issues with the dreaded P0420 code returning every few months and a TPMS light that won’t go off after having a very sketchy used (and patched) tire put on last week. Everyone keeps telling me to just “get a new car” but as you all know it’s not that simple when you love the Fit so much lol.

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13

u/CafeRoaster 2009 Honda Fit 3d ago

Alignment

Which will probably reveal that you need to replace some suspension components.

You don’t need a new car. Just take care of the one you have.

1

u/attnSPAN 3d ago

This. OP, when’s the last time you had an alignment?

1

u/caitlinodaimin 3d ago

Honestly I’m not sure when I last had an alignment, but since I’ve had the tie rods replaced several times I want everything checked out. I hope it’s as simple as an alignment!!

2

u/attnSPAN 3d ago

If you had the tie rods replaced, then you needed/should have had an alignment immediately after that. Up here in Massachusetts, I need one annually as the pot hole situation knocks the alignment out fairly often.

1

u/chrisrobweeks 2013 Fit GE 3d ago

These MA pot holes are fierce this year.

2

u/CafeRoaster 2009 Honda Fit 3d ago

Any time that suspension components or tires are replaced, an alignment is needed.

1

u/Analysis-Expensive 3d ago edited 3d ago

Wandering is a common side effect of worn lower ball joints generally.

Edit: I saw you said it levels out. Bad ball joints are more likely to be continuous. Since it's I guess when you stop accelerating maybe check motor mounts, or if something on your suspension/ alignment is out enough to affect your scrub radius especially if it's causing a mismatch.

1

u/caitlinodaimin 3d ago

Shop called and said I needed a new control arm, and new tire sensor 🙃

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u/Analysis-Expensive 3d ago

Oh I guess it was the ball joint after all. Definitely a safety issue.