Hey Guys,

My car pulls to the left sometimes. I notice it most when I'm stopping. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. I had the tie rod on that side replaced, as well the brakes were checked to see if they were sticking..they weren't. I also had an alignment after I had the tie rod replaced and it still pulls to the left!

Anyone have any other ideas why?

Thanks!

 

Im only guess here but maybe the road is uneven or are all your tires the same make and worn evenly, could be tire pressure too.

 

The tires are pretty much brand new...if it was the pressure it would happen all the time wouldn't it?

Thanks though...

 

Check rim temerature after driving. If hot, check bearings.

 

i notice the same thing too! it only happens when i'm braking hard. could the open differential be a possible culprit?

 

Sometimes it happens to my car when coming out of a stop and when braking hard. I had he car checked but nothing's wrong, it's kind'a weird.

 

I washed my car the other day after driving hard and the rims were quite hot! Are there any other symptoms when bearings go bad?

 

I don't think it's the open differential in my case. It does happen while braking, but it can still pull when I'm just rolling in neutral. What I don't get is why it only happens sometimes.

 

check your alignment... also inspect your brakes..
could be tires too.

 

Alignment had been done twice, brakes checked twice...tires are new.

 

Apparently the dealer failed to notice that both my lower ball joints are bad, or going bad!!

I'm pretty sure this would cause the problems I'm having. Also, don't over-torque your lug nuts...it'll cause the steering wheel to vibrate...wierd huh?

Anyway, thanks for your help!

 

OK, I guess the ball joints are fine....one of my brakes was half-seized..it was fixed, but the problem is STILL there....could it be a BAD alignment job maybe? Maybe something is loose?

Please help!

 

By now it's probally so engrained in your mind you are imagining it. But really, some grippy tires follow the road, that would explain the sometimes part. I bet if you slaped on some cheap tires it would probally not pull so much, just an idea, don't actually down grade your tires.

 

I have the same problem too but it's more noticable with 17" rims.
If you're running on 17" then try to get some 15" wheels to see if it's still there.

 

Hmmm....I'm on 16inch wheels...up from 14 inch wheels. I never really noticed with the 14s because I knew it needed an alignment.

 

it will also cause your brake rotors to warp, and did you get both tie-rod-ends changed or just one?

 

Only 1 tie rod was changed...I think (not sure) it was the one on the passenger side...

 

*bump*

 

what type of tires did you put on your vechicle?

If your new tires have a higher traction rating than your old ones, that may be the culprit. It is more common for people to notice their new, high performance, tires making the car go slightly to the right-- a result of the crown of the road. If it were this, I would tell you not to worry. But in your current dilemma, I would simply have my alignment checked again.

Also, it is possible that you got a tire which has a bad belt inside. This can make your car seem like it is out of alignment.


[Modified by Mr. Furious, 9:48 PM 6/28/2002]