I was in a car accident a while ago, where someone swiped the front/right part of my car. The damage wasn't too bad, but I noticed afterward while driving that my car would pull to the right when driving on a straight road. When getting my car fixed up I had my alignment checked, and they said that everything was fine. But my car still pulls to the right. What else could be causing this, even if the alignment test checks everything else out? Can the control arm be bent, but still be giving a fine alignment reading? I'll probably be going through insurance again for this, but would just like to know what could be causing it before I go to them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jascon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was in a car accident a while ago, where someone swiped the front/right part of my car. The damage wasn't too bad, but I noticed afterward while driving that my car would pull to the right when driving on a straight road. When getting my car fixed up I had my alignment checked, and they said that everything was fine. But my car still pulls to the right. What else could be causing this, even if the alignment test checks everything else out? Can the control arm be bent, but still be giving a fine alignment reading? I'll probably be going through insurance again for this, but would just like to know what could be causing it before I go to them. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Bent wheel, worn tires, under-inflated tires, or midgets.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cnyej1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Bent wheel, worn tires, under-inflated tires, or midgets.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The wheel looks fine to me, no scratches or bends, but i could be wrong. Tires aren't worn and the tire pressure checks out to factory specs. Most likely those damn midgets!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jascon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The wheel looks fine to me, no scratches or bends, but i could be wrong. Tires aren't worn and the tire pressure checks out to factory specs. Most likely those damn midgets!!</TD></TR></TABLE>


You have to be kinda sneaky when it comes to midgets. Quietly walk up behind them and firmly step on their sausage like toes, then you can repeatedly flick them in the ear. That should take care of the problem.

 

If they checked the alignment they probably would have noticed any bent component. But it sounds like the wheel is bent or a control arm was tweaked. If the wheel is bent, in most cases, its not really all that noticeable.

Take it to a different alignment shop.

 

Just have someone do a balance and rotation, if it is a wheel it will show then. it does sound more like some front end linkage, especially considering the accident. Was it a dealerhip shop who did the work? Maybe there is enough play to do an alignment but still have problems while driving. More tests are needed.

 

my car does the same thing..........but i think its cause i hit a lot of curbs hahah damn i suck!....i think i need and alignment

 

if it pulls it is going to be based on your alignment either your toe camber or caster is wacked out

a bent wheel would cause the car to vibrate not pull

also make sure the alignment shop is checking it as an 06-07, 05 and older have different specs

and if you replaced just one tire on the front end that will cause it to pull also

o and check your air psi before you waste your time going to another shop

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by haby red fg2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
a bent wheel would cause the car to vibrate not pull

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Incorrect, some bent wheels will vibrate and some slightly bent ones will pull.

 

It could be any of the above. However, I had a car that was very sensitive to the roads. I.E. when I drove on highways with a lot of truck traffic the roads were cupped and would cause my car to pull. One thing to remember is that roads have a natural small slope to the right to allow the water to run off to the sides. May not be the issue, but could be too...just my 2 cents!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civxracer99 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It could be any of the above. However, I had a car that was very sensitive to the roads. I.E. when I drove on highways with a lot of truck traffic the roads were cupped and would cause my car to pull. One thing to remember is that roads have a natural small slope to the right to allow the water to run off to the sides. May not be the issue, but could be too...just my 2 cents! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed. Make sure the car is actually pulling and not "drifting". They are two different things.

 

Ride down a relatively flat two lane highway (4 lane divided). Your car should drift right in the right lane and drift left in the left lane with a good alignment.