Fresh Alignment after car slid off road, now car bucks in the front turning slow in parking lots

[malibu7899]

Hello everyone. So, my car slid of the road and had a little damage repaired at a local shop. They had it aligned just to be sure it was not off. It did seem to drive fine for the 50 miles before it went into the shop, however after picking it up it acted weird in their parking lot when a backed up out of the spot. Now for context it was 20 degrees out and I have the PP summer tires on the car and just though maybe it was that so I drove home. It has been sitting since because of the weather but even moving it into the driveway for the heated garage it still does the tire bucking thing. I stopped at the place that did the Alignment and he gave me a printout of what they did. The first thing I notice is that it says for a 23 Mustang and not the 24 Mustang GT PP with magneride that mine is. Not sure if that really matters or not, but here is what he gave me if some of you know how to read these specs. Thanks in advance, Jason.

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[Skye]

A short video of the condition would be helpful.

As you mentioned, they attempted to dial in a 2024 Mustang using 2023 specifications. IDK if the cars use the same specs or not. It could be their machine or software controlling it that has yet to be updated. Or they didn't know it was a '24. You're paying for a 2024 to be measured, by a machine that can.

While many of the settings are within the 2023 band (FWTIW), they're at the edge of the band. If I'm paying for an alignment, I expect to get it dialed in near the middle, the optimum, or very close to that. Not a "good 'nuff" setting.

While more expensive, I'd return the car to a Ford dealer and have them perform an alignment. While there, they can inspect the drivetrain and discuss what you're hearing and feeling.

That the car drove fine before entering the shop, and now a noise or condition, coupled with the '23 reference and sloppy settings, doesn't give me a lot of confidence in the work that was performed. I would not return.

If the temperatures are cold enough, I could see the tires affecting the drivetrain. A Summer tire being used in 50 F / 10 C or colder will have traction issues. If the rear tire/s are slipping, that could cause the Limited Slip Diff to become active (clutch packs engaging) in an attempt to provide better traction. The diff is doing what it is supposed to do.

But ya, have Ford do an alignment/inspection, then see how the car drives afterwards.

 

[Neggytive]

the alignment specs are on the forum somewhere, and iirc in your owners manual

You make it sound like a 4WD truck with the hubs locked turning on dry pavement or a posi/limited slip that has no friction modifier in the gear oil.

 

[malibu7899]

Yes it like binds in the front until it bucks. I will try and get a video of what it does this weekend. Yeah I wouldn't have chose that shop to begin with, but that is what was done. I won't be going back to them. I am sure I am.going to need another alignment, but some folks on here claim even some of the Ford dealers mess up the alignments. So hoping to find what they are set at from the factory.

 

[steveo1960]

Yes it like binds in the front until it bucks. I will try and get a video of what it does this weekend. Yeah I wouldn't have chose that shop to begin with, but that is what was done. I won't be going back to them. I am sure I am.going to need another alignment, but some folks on here claim even some of the Ford dealers mess up the alignments. So hoping to find what they are set at from the factory.

Here are the specs from the owner's manual for a 2024.

 

[BimmerDriver]

What you are describing is probably the Ackerman effect. It's more noticeable now because it's cold and the tires are more likely to slide.

But yes, you still need to have those alignment specs validated.

 

[GrabberB]

By chance, were you turning when you experieced this behavior? Your Mustang is optioned with the PP which means you have a Torsen diiferential (no clutch packs). I would not rule out the possibilty of the Torsen diff. causing this behavoir.

 

[Ryunker]

I keep seeing this thread every day, funny my car has not ever "car slid off road" and I have driven it a shit ton.

 

[malibu7899]

I am going to try and capture it on a video today or tomorrow and post it. It is only when barely moving pulling forward or backwards while turning. Also as far as the slid off road as the other member mentioned. For more context, I live on a 7 mile stretch of hwy were there are deer hits at least once a month. One ran out and I went to the other lane and caught a little gravel, I must have over corrected and went off the road a little. Nothing major. I drove right out. But since it is the newest thing I have ever owned I had it checked out to make sure I didnt hurt anything, and the shop said it should probably get an alignment and that's how we got here.

 

[malibu7899]

Well, I tried to capture it on video, and it does not translate well. I am going to get a fresh alignment in the spring with some of the other specs members have said and go from there. Thanks again to those who reached out.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

Thats just the tires in the cold. It goes away when you drive it a little as the tires warm up a bit.

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