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Pulling to the left

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:31 pm
by FarmerPug
Ive actually had this since i got the car, but since my hand is always on the wheel i never think of it as an issue, but my cousin took the car and thinks this is a huge problem, when you take your hand off the wheel it does like to go to the left, though i got the wheels aligned, he thinks the steering rack isn't centred. Is it possible to adjust it? I do hold the wheel, but it would be nice on a motorway if the car didn't need held in line.

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:49 pm
by lozz
Have you had everything checked?
eg, bushes. balljoint /trackrod end ?

have you tried swapping a wheel?

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:06 am
by FarmerPug
its not long through the mot new droplinks of course and the tyres are not too old but i suppose its been like
this since i got it. my cousin explained whats wrong something about the rack pushing to try and centre itself, and track rod ends being too long he might take a look at it next weekend, he also notices the horn pad isnt on right and i explained the wheel come off for the com2000 it might be slightly wrong as well aparently.

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:38 am
by lozz
Ah rite,
youve had the steering wheel off then?

perhaps its off centre,?
ihad this with the old celica ihad, in the end ijust took the steering wheel off and Re:centred it,

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:54 am
by steve_earwig
There's a bit of difference in either holding the wheel against the pull of the steering and the wheel pointing the wrong way. When the tracking is adjusted both track rod ends should be turned by equal amounts but it doesn't always get done right. Also, if the steering wheel isn't straight the part of your brain that says it should be straight will be fighting with the part of your brain that wants you to drive in a straight line...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackermann_ ... g_geometry

What you could do is turn the steering wheel all the way to one side then count the turns it takes to get to the other, halve that number and turn it back this amount - where's it pointing now? Your steering rack is now centred but your track rod ends and/or steering wheel might not be.

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:09 am
by FarmerPug
the counting he turned it lock to lock and did notice one side the wheel went around further

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:48 pm
by Gary406
frank. i had my car tracked 12 months ago and problem still was there (pulling to left) . took it to another garage about 5 weeks ago when i had 4 brand new tyres on the rims and also ...let that garage 4 wheel lazer track it... now it runs in a straight line. (well it did before it died yesterday :cry: :cry: :cry: )

try having it tracked by a different garage (obviously the 1st garage i used couldnt be arsed to adjust it and thought fk it its straight enough its only a bit out))).
get a 4 wheel one done and ask for a printout... worth a try this probably cheapest option 1st

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:40 am
by FarmerPug
i think they did the 4 wheel alignment there was a laser on each wheel although the man who adjusted it had his mind on other things, nearly ripped the seat with the tool to hold the wheel straight and wasnt too happy when i stopped him to put my coat on the seat.
my cousin said he got some alignment kit recently which is why he wants to fix this on my car as a way of trying it out.

Re: Pulling to the left

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:55 am
by Welly
My local tyre place couldn't get the lock-nuts undone on my track rods, and I think it was only because I was stood watching that they admitted defeat (after burning the sh*t out of them with the oxy/acetylene torch) it can be a pig of a job so would be surprised if some lads gave up or only did 'some' of the work :roll: