Car Pulling To Left

[1400thumper]

97 T5 s/wagon plenty miles on it.

My wagon after fitting new dunlops and had balancing wheel alignment etc pulls to the left. this started off slightly but as weeks went by more "forceful"

so I went back and had them do it again (which they charged me for) no change although printouts are within specs.

so I took it to another wheel place and they did the job, this time doing the castor which was out, but still pulled left.

In fustration took it to yet another dealer showing them the printouts of previous 2 and they then saw this as a challange, checked and rechecked all ok but on the road would pull to the left. They did not charge me (Tiger wheel and tyres) and said the only thing it could be is the power steering.

is this possible ? Has anyone had this happening before.

A buddy of mine has a shop that does this and gave me some pointers to check but will take it to him later this week so he can do the test.

This involve jacking front of car up, starting the car then touch steering wheel and see if it carries on turning.

If this is a problem to save time and money what is involved in repalcing seals belts or whatever goes on there.?

I there a post with more info on power steering.

all fluids etc look "good" and not leaking anything.

any 2 bits of info thrown in adds up to a buck of knowledge

t

thanks

Larry

[Dmsee]

What tires? And did they do 4 wheel alignment

[7 VII 7]

how are your inner and outter tie rods?

lift the car up with a jack or soemthing... knock the tire with your hands at the 12 and 6 position and the 3 and 9 position.. if there is any crazy movement then you might have a Ball Joint issue or a Tie Rod issue

[Dmsee]

The alignment places shouldve already checked that ;)

[1400thumper]

Dunlop SP Sport (Conti getting too expensive and was not getting good milage) Yes 4 wheel at all 3 attempts with "latest" electronic lazer machine.

sway arm bushings replaced about 60K ago and checked for any free play, some but not enough (say the experts) to cause this.

[Dmsee]

What are the experts saying causing this? Power steering? I doubt it

[1400thumper]

That is there only answer but loathe to spend R 2,200 about US$300 on power steering if it does not solve it. Can live with it but annoys me and feels like it is getting worse over weeks.

no difference at speed either so maybe it is.

Will know on Thurs when I take it and and jack the car up. I dont have a jack to do it at home.

Wish I had known this "test" when in was in today @ TWT it makes some sense I suppose, more power one way but then again I am a network engineer not a hydrolics fundi

[rsleepr88]

That is there only answer but loathe to spend R 2,200 about US$300 on power steering if it does not solve it. Can live with it but annoys me and feels like it is getting worse over weeks.

no difference at speed either so maybe it is.

Will know on Thurs when I take it and and jack the car up. I dont have a jack to do it at home.

Wish I had known this "test" when in was in today @ TWT it makes some sense I suppose, more power one way but then again I am a network engineer not a hydrolics fundi

there is only 2 things that will cause ur car to pull...tires and alignment, not power steering rack...

yes, they should of checked worn front end parts but sometimes they dont....as the other person said, jack the car up and let the suspension hang free and grab the tire at the 9:00 position(looking at tire from outside) this will check your ball joints.

now, grab the tire from the 3:00 position and this will check your inner/outer tie rods...if there is no play in either of those tests, then you just have a bozo trying to align your car, or multiple bozos in your case.

caster is not adjustable on your car, but camber is and if too much variance in left to right, it will pull. your camber should be approx 0 degrees with no more than 1/2 degree difference max. and if camber is changed, then toe will have to be reset.

hope this helps....

[Guest 850T-5]

When diagnosing these kinds of issues always start by swapping the front tires first.

Even if they are new, one could still be defective.

Of course, if you haven't, also confirm that tire pressure is equal and that they are inflated to what the vehicle recommends.

There is no way your "Power Steering" is failing causing this problem, they just don't usually fail that way, especially in these vehicles.

Additionally, when I have alignments done I only take it to the dealer. Yes it costs $129 for a proper 4 wheel alignment but it is done properly and they will look at it again no charge if there are any issues after.

For example after a dealer alignment, I had a similar problem where my S90 would pull to the right. I checked tire pressure with a digital gauge cold and pressure set fine and even so I brought it back. They rechecked it, everything checked out fine so they rotated the tires at no cost, then it pulled the other way, which proved it was the tires. Practically new Goodyear Eagle RSA tires. I didn't buy those by choice but they came on the S90 when I bought it.

After that, the only thing to do is inspect the suspension and steering components. Check for any obvious signs of problems, also check to make sure the rear Delta Link bushing isn't deteriorating causing it since the rear end being out of alignment can also cause pulling.

[GT2]

Can you post up a copy of the alighnment print out?

[Guest Guest_Maxx999_*]

Maybe check your steering rack and the bushings definatly get checked , i read that they can cause problems like urs.

[T-5Bandit]

so I took it to another wheel place and they did the job, this time doing the castor which was out, but still pulled left.

If you had a shop tell you they adjusted your caster, they lied to you and stole your money. Caster is in NO way adjustable on these cars.

That being said, if your caster is out enough to cause a pull, then you have something seriously tweaked in the front end or the car has been in a previous accident.

Can you post a copy of the alignment printout?

[BlackBrick]

Exact thing happened to me. I asked them if it could be a bad tire, and they said no way, the tire looked fine, and all they could do is to get a special camber kit and charge me more money.

When I got home, I swapped the left tire with the right, and instead of pulling left, it now pulled right. I went back, told them this, and then they admitted the radial must be defective. Got a new tire, car never pulled again.

[1400thumper]

thanks to all who have responded.

attached is printout of my last alignment this done Tuesday where the guys spent over 3 hours doing their damn best, and I must believe they know what they are doing.

update and some answers

Tires are new all 4 dunlops SP sport low profiles bought 22/12 2007 done approx 3800km on them

prior to aligment on tues tires were rotatated LF to RR and RF to RL and balanced, then aligned as per copy.

sway arm bushes replaced 18 months ago after similar problem with tire wearing unevenly. no play

Previous to this in JAN the PITSTOP guys (no printout but invoice) shows I was charged for front and rear toe in and RHS CAM which I assume is camber.

Problem is not that severe as to be a problem driving and albeit the pull is minor but damn irritating in that I can never take my hand off the wheel on a straight road. when there is a gradual turn to the left , the car does it by itself if I relase the SW.

This morning I drove down to my buddy who specialises in power steering. He jacked the car up and did his test to report there is nothing wrong at all and my PS is "perfect" (well done volvo car)

while car was up we did the 3 to 9 pm side to side and 12 and 6 o clock wriggles on boths wheels.

yes there was some movement on both wheels but very minor and not enough to cause this.

We jacked the rear up and did the clock test there as well solid no movement at all.

I know my shocks are long overdue for replacement and wondering if this can maby be the problem ?

Damn frustating

[Guest Guest]

So what about your rear bushings and stuff?