I purchased a 1989 Honda Prelude SI with 4ws and automatic transmission this past summer. When I first got it, I occasionally noticed a clunking sound underneath directly under the shifting lever during steering. It turned out to be the steering joint that connects the front gear box shaft to the shaft that runs to the rear gear box. It was stripped on the front wheel side. I replaced it with a new joint, which was a total PITA!

The problem is that the front wheels are no longer aligned properly with the back wheels and the steering wheel is no longer on center. Obviously, while I was under the car replacing the joint, things got moved around and I didn't replace it back directly on center.

My question is, can this be fixed with a simple 4 wheel alignment? Or do I have to loosen the joint and try to get things back to center at the point where the joint is connected?

Like I said, playing with that joint was a pain in the rear. The car needs an alignment anyways, so I want to know if that will take care of the problem or if I just caused myself more headache.

Here is a pic of the joint I replaced:

 

I would say to center the joint. There might not be enough adjustment available to center both the rear and front. You should have replaced the part and centered everything as you found it.

 

Hindsight is 20/20 I suppose. I didn't think I was going to have as much trouble getting it out as I did and I didn't mark anything prior to removing it. I was just hoping a wheel alignment would take care of it so I wouldn't have to get under there and muck with the joint again.

 

good luck bin, this one sounds like fun.