Hi Everyone,

I have a major problem that I've been trying to diagnose for weeks now. I'm trying to isolate the problem before spending more $$$$ on what might not be it.

Here goes.

First off this is a '98 Integra type-r with 120k miles. Helical LSD (stock).

Major pulling to left under accelleration, then under braking or coasting goes back to straight. No pulling under braking (light or heavy) or decelleration. Problem starts at about 30mph and gradually gets worse and worse until at about 70mph it's truly scary to push on the gas - car just veers to left (I can actually tell the car is torquing to the left). Problem seems to be getting worse as the weeks go by.

It feels less like the left side is locking up and more like the right side is pulling ahead. This happens even in 5th geer. Jam the gas, car pulls hard to left - hard enough that I have to pull steering wheel to right to hold it straight.


New tires. Aligned. Swapped front/rear wheels/tires - no change.

I have 3 theories - please help me prioritize them...

1) Left axle is starting to bind, causing the lsd to put more torque on right wheel. (is this possible? I think this is what would happen but am not positive.). And if this is it, does it make sense that it would get worse at higher speeds? These are the original axles. But oddly there's no clicking at low speeds while turning.

2) LSD is failing. Would a failing helical LSD do this?

3) bushings maybe?

OK so for you gurus. Can you explain the likely causes so I don't waste too much money trying to figure it out?

Thanks in advance everyone...

Steve

 

I'd check your front control arm bushings 1st. Then put your car up on jackstands and watch your axles as someone hits the gas for you. The c-clip on the end of the axle might not be sealing properly allowing the axle to come out and pull you to the side it's happening on. If it's the c-clip just spread it a little more so that it seals properly(when my car was doing the same thing yours was doing it was these). Hopefully this helps.

 

Thanks VERY much. These are 2 specific things they can check.

Interesting... These are such odd symptoms I'm tempted to think the c-clip thing might be it, since you had the same symptoms.

Were your symptoms just as scary as the way I described mine at high speed? And were your symptoms speed-related like mine?

Thanks....

Steve

 

WOW. Turns out it was a tire problem (slipped belt?). I had a huge list of stuff to check for the acura mechanic, and they did most of it. And then he decided (on his own) to swap left and right side tire/wheels. Since he didn't remount them they were backwards of course.

When he took it out, the pulling changed from left-side to right. !!!!!

Even the service mgr's couldn't believe it, and took it out to verify.

Unbelievable.

I took it to the tire place today (had purchased new summer tires before all this happened, but didn't notice the relationship). They replaced the tire, put the tires on the correct side, and VOILA - NEW car.

Wow.

Steve

 

im having the same problem my dude idk at it is i change my axles brandnew.....i heard it could b the diff its like the wheel is lockin up while im driving it just pull to the left hard i dought its my tires i bought it brand new brand new does anybody know wats the problem

 

It's very easy to test if it's tires. Just move wheels/tires to opposite side. Don't worry if they're directional (for the test anyway). If it pulls to the other side after the swap it's the tires. Put them back regardless so the directionality is right.

It could still be tires even if it's new (not sure what's new but regardless). Even if the tires are new it could be a bad tire (on mine they were new also).

Steve

 

Good to hear it got sorted out, man. So strange that that could be a tire issue though. I wouldn't even think to predict that (I know... tires are the only contact a car has with the road so they are most important, but still...).

I had a similar issue with an ITR LSD pulling to the right almost how you describe it. Under throttle load, but not under braking or steady throttle. Despite the diff roller bearings checking out to the correct preload, never really figured it out other than getting rid of the LSD and putting an open diff back in. lol

 

I STILL can barely believe it was the tire. I absolutely couldn't associate the weird symptom with anything that could go wrong with the tire. At least it's figured out so I can now again have a blast with the car!

Steve