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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

1676.0. "Why do cars pull to one side?" by ALBURT::GUEST () Wed Jan 29 1992 12:59

    I have an old-style Ford Granada (1982) which has a noticeable
    (although not too serious) pull to the left at motorway speeds.
    
    I've got a couple of ideas why this could be happening:
    
    1) Front wheel alignment
    2) Binding brakes on front near side
    3) Unspecified fault in the power steering
    
    Anyone know any more, or have any general answer as to why cars pull to
    one side or another? 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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1676.1Safety feature ?KERNEL::SHELLEYRWed Jan 29 1992 13:447
    I remember driving an old style Rover (SDI?) that had power steering
    that pulled noticably to left if you took your hands momentarily off
    the steering wheel. When I mentioned this I was told that it was a
    deliberate safety for it to pull to the left to avoid going into
    oncoming traffic.
    
    Roy
1676.2Safe for who?FORTY2::GEDDESCookie MonsterWed Jan 29 1992 14:191
Was this designed to be safe for  motorists or pedestrians?
1676.3Something else to look at..JUNO::JUPPWed Jan 29 1992 15:423
    Also try tyre pressures.
    
    Ian...
1676.4CMOTEC::JASPERWed Jan 29 1992 15:4418
    If the steering rack/box etc has been replaced it may not have been
    neutralised properly. When the wheels point straight ahead, the power
    steering should also be in the central (neutral) position. Power
    steering systems vary, I dont know about the Granada specifically, but
    there may well be a 'Home' position when the Power steering expects the
    wheels to be straight ahead. You may well be fighting this position if
    the trackrod ends are both maladjusted, but still exhibit correct
    toe-in.
    
    Some cars are noticably affected by road camber, my Escort was.
    
    If you suspect that a brake is binding, get it fixed ! If you dont, the
    fluid can boil giving temporary brake failure.
    
    Your car could also be the victim of a road accident, and may not be
    straight.
    
    	Tony.   
1676.5Steering ProblemsSUBURB::BOXALLGGraham Boxall@REOWed Jan 29 1992 20:4316
    
    
    The steering on my Triumph Dolomite pulls to the left quite noticably
    when I let go of the steering wheel. I have had the tracking checked
    a number of times but everything seems o.k. The only possible reason I
    can think of is that the bushes holding the front subframe (and therefore
    all the steering gear) to the car body have perished over the years thus 
    allowing the subframe/steering to move. 
    
    
    Any comments.....
    
    
    Graham 
    
          
1676.6Another possiblity??PAKORA::IJOHNSTONThu Jan 30 1992 12:001
    Or your chassis is twisted????
1676.7It's a funny old worldBLKPUD::WILLIAMSHThu Jan 30 1992 15:179
    One of my colleagues here had the front tyres changed, put the new ones
    on the back and the existing rear tyres on the front. (RWD car)
    It then pulled badly to one side. He took it back to the tyre fitters
    and complained. They checked tracking/alignment etc.. an all was fine.
    So they replaced the old rear tyres (now on the front) and the pull was
    cured.
    
    Huw.  (No, I can't explain it either!)
    
1676.8PLAYER::BROWNLWhat 'Good Old Days?'Thu Jan 30 1992 15:524
    Tyres go out of shape, and even sometimes twist. This could be the
    problem.
    
    Laurie.
1676.9All tyres are NOT the same !CMOTEC::JASPERFri Jan 31 1992 15:104
    ... Also if there is something fundamentally wrong with the car, just
    changing tyre brands can suddenly make the fault visible.
    
     Tony.
1676.10Only an idea!KERNEL::OSBORNEFri Jan 31 1992 17:426
    	Could the torque effect of the drive shaft on rear wheel drive
    cause this?. Its a bit like the "pull caused by the Prop. on a single
    engine plane, I think on twin engine aircraft they have counter
    rotating screws.
    
    Dave.
1676.11PERKY::RUTTERRut The NutMon Feb 03 1992 16:0415
>>    the steering wheel. When I mentioned this I was told that it was a
>>    deliberate safety for it to pull to the left to avoid going into
>>    oncoming traffic.
    
    I had a friend who drove a Ford Cortina which always pulled to the left.
    
    He also claimed that this was a 'safety feature' on all Fords, to
    avoid driving into oncoming traffic !  
    
    Bullsh!t
    
    Something is wrong and should be sorted out.  Of course, the original
    note was asking what could be wrong - plenty suggestions already.
    
    J.R.
1676.12Tyres worked for me also!ESSB::DOODYMon Feb 03 1992 17:2214
    I had a Sprite which used to pull sharply to the right!! when i bought
    it. 
    
    Tracking, balancing, even put in a 2nd hand steering rack
    nothing would work.
    
    I put the back types onto the front and Bingo!!! cured instantly,
    and NEVER recurred.
    
    But it can be very annoying trying to get to the cause of these
    problems!!!
    
    Brian.
     
1676.13ALBURT::GUESTMon Feb 03 1992 18:469
    Well, I still haven't found out what's wrong, but the idea about
    balancing the power steering sounds good.  The steering wheel has to
    be slightly right of centre to make the car go straight, but the
    "balanced" position of the wheel is dead centre.
    
    I looked in the manual to find out how to rebalance the power steering,
    and wished I hadn't....
    
    Mel