Alignment issue. Aligned and still pulls HELP

[4dStang]

I just bought a 95 SVT this weekend and it had a pull to the right. If you let go of the wheel, it will yank to the right. I thought it had a bad tie rod end and took it in for repair and alignment. Firestone aligned it and told me no parts were needed.

I got in the car and there was no change. I took it back, they put it back on the rack, said it was fine. I told them to test drive it. They told me it was probably a caliper. I can't find a bad caliper. When you drive you have to fight with the steering wheel to the left to keep it straight which wore out one tire already (before I bought it).

I thought that it might have been a front caliper dragging but the calipers are fine. I put the car up in the back, drove in gear and the wheels slowed faster than what I thought was normal but not like a dragging caliper.

I took a sheet rock "T" square, layed it across the tire and looked at the front, the right was pointing WAY right after the alignment. I squared both tires "back yard style" with a level steering wheel but it still pulls.

I need a master to think about this and give me another idea before I put good tires on.

The SVT calipers are rich so I can't just throw parts at it. But how many things can it be?

Chris

 

[autoXr1]

I took a sheet rock "T" square, layed it across the tire and looked at the front, the right was pointing WAY right after the alignment. I squared both tires "back yard style" with a level steering wheel but it still pulls.

Chris

So, you've got a situation where the tech can align the vehicle on the rack, but as soon as you drive it the right wheel goes out. Correct?

If it were a caliper, then it would be situation where the rotor and pads would be wearing out on that side...which shouldn't throw a wheel out of alignment...not that quick, anyhow. I'd check the steering rack and inner tie rod ends on that side for any damage. Perhaps the car took a hit or a big pot hole at some time. Another thought...the K-member may be out of alignment, which throws everything off...personal experience. Or, the tech didn't know what he/she was doing...personal experience...get the printed out alignment specs the car was set at and see if right and left match.

 

[89MustangGX]

You said you couldn't find a dragging front caliper -- but it sounds like you checked the back. Did you look at the front at all or was that a typo?

 

[4dStang]

>>>If it were a caliper, then it would be situation where the rotor and pads would be wearing out on that side...which shouldn't throw a wheel out of alignment...not that quick, anyhow. I'd check the steering rack and inner tie rod ends on that side for any damage. Perhaps the car took a hit or a big pot hole at some time. Another thought...the K-member may be out of alignment, which throws everything off...personal experience. Or, the tech didn't know what he/she was doing...personal experience...get the printed out alignment specs the car was set at and see if right and left match.

I have a 1995 GT coming out of the body shop next week. I am going to take the steering rack off and swap them. Shouldnt be too hard.

I never thought it could be a K-member. How would I check to see if that was tweeked, bent what ever. I don't mind getting a new lightweight K.

I just cant think of anything that it could be besides alignment and steering. Could a bent steering knuckle cause the problem too? I can't see any damage to the car and I ran a carfax with no issues.

Any other ideas would be great.

Chris

Old car is attached

 

[4dStang]

>>>>>You said you couldn't find a dragging front caliper -- but it sounds like you checked the back. Did you look at the front at all or was that a typo?




I checked all four calipers and even bled and ran new fluid through all four calipers (three damn quarts). No dragging on any calipers. Believe me I have had dragging calipers on two other cars and they did not make a car pull to one side. anything that even looks like dragging is not bad enough to pull a car to the right as bad as this is. I'm telling you, you let go of the wheel, your off the road instantly. You have to fight the wheel to the left to keep it straight and the wear is on the inner left wheel. I'm looking at steering.

So, this issue has to be a steering part. What, I don't know and I hate paying mechanics when I can do all the work. I am just out of Trouble shooting ideas and hoping others can help.




Chris

 

[Paully's5.0]

Put a thread about this over on the corral, there is one moderator MFE who seems to be king when it comes to front end alignments.

It could be that your bushings are worn? I dunno, but I'm sure if you search MFE's posts or anything on alignment you will find all kinds of answers.

I know I have in reguards to my alignment and steering issues.

 

[JB66]

Simple check...
Swap the front tires left to right and see if the pull diminishes or changes to the other side. I'm thinking a shifted belt in one of the front tires. Mis-alignment will only result in a drift to the left or right. Shifted belts result in a progressive pull in either direction. Try it. Doesn't cost anything!

 

[ratrapp]

jb66 is right,it sounds like a tire has started to separate.we run into this even on new or fairly new tires at our shop.

 

[4dStang]

I just picked up another set of tires yesterday with wheels. I am going to try putting on totally different tires and wheels. I changed the left tire, but not the right tire, which is the direction it is pulling.

I'll let ya know

Chris