Car pulling to left although tracking fixed

pozalina

I am hoping someone can help me. I noiticed my car was pulling to the left a while ago, and the tyre was unevenly worn too. I went and got the tyre replaced and tracking fixed. As soon as I drove it again I could tell it was still pulling to the left, so went back to tracking place. Guy took 2 wheels off, swapped them (I have no idea why), then it seemed ok. Within a couple of days it was pulling left again, so I took it to a different tyre place. They confirmed the tracking was 'spot on', but the steering wheel was not central. When I asked why he said 'I'm baffled', and said it might be a rear wheel not alignmed correctly (but the previous place checked that). I'm worried I will wear down another tyre if I don't get it resolved but don't know what to do next. Does anyone have any ideas what can be done? My tyre pressures are all fine.

Thanks.

Chrisbee_3

could be a sticky brake caliper?

joedenise

If one of the rear wheels isn't aligned properly it could the bushes holding the rear axle in place need replacing.

Joe

Muscle750

Any play in front suspension ie ball joints track rod ends ?

flang

Sounds to be like the either the suspension bushes are worn or the wishbone ball joints are shot.

Stephen_Leak

Where did you have it done in the first place? There are some places, who I now wouldn't trust anywhere near my car. Try and find your nearest place that uses computerised 4 wheel "Hunter" alignment equipment.

Weird_Nev

Out of interest, have you driven it on truly flat tarmac? Cars DO pull to the left because of the camber of the road. some are worse affected than others.You need a long flat bit of tarmac to really find out if the car truly "pulls" or if it's just the slope of the road. You can also try a bit of road where it's safe to drive in the middle along the crown of the road, but that can be hard to judge.

djm1278

Has the car ever been involved in an accident? I agree with Stephen Leak 4 wheel tracking / alignment is the only way you will find out for sure.

Strider590

When a lazy technician adjusts tracking, they centre the steering wheel, they adjust just one track rod, get the wheels parallel and then call it "job done", your then left with the steering wheel slightly off centre and the car pulling left/right. What they should do is adjust both sides, but this takes a hell of a lot more effort because they have to ensure the steering rack is centred before they start.... Im betting it simply wasn't adjusted correctly.

societys_child

pozalina wrote: »

. Guy took 2 wheels off, swapped them (I have no idea why),

Thanks.

Something known as "Camber Conscious". If the tyres wear slightly unevenly, swapping them can sometimes (permanently) cure the problem, it did for me a few years ago on an old pick-up truck I had.

Stigy

If the tyres were unevenly worn when the tracking was checked, a good garage would have not adjusted it because a soon as you replace the affected tyre(s), chances are the tracking will be out again, albeit probably not as severely as before.

As has been said, all cars pull to the left with the road camber, so try the outside lane of a Duel Carriageway and see if it still pulls.