Do your tires pull?

[I8ahonda]

I have a 2003 GT w/4400miles on the original goodyear tires. Basically the car pulls to the right. When you let go of the wheel in 3 seconds I'm hitting braile if I'm in the left lane or into the curb if I'm in the right lane. Dealer**** says that due to the size being 245's and the good year being a "high-performance" design that this is the reason the car follows the road crown so "aggresively". I'm going to Goodyear this week to let them diagnose whether their tire design is the cause. Firestone said it's because they're unable to adjust the caster enough to fight the road.

My question for those with the stock 245's, does your car pull. All responses are appreciated. Thanks

 

[tripsober]

i think it could be your alighment thats always possible, or maybe even your tires are un balanced have the balance them i doubt its the tires at all

 

[downsouthman1]

I use to have the stock 245 45ZR17s on my car for about a year & a half. Never did my car pull except for when my tire pressure was off. Like on the LR would be @ 45 psi, LF @ 28, RR @ 39psi, & RF @ 19 psi for instance. That will cause it guaranteed. Ford is BSing you.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

I have to agree. Get the alignment checked and make sure the tires are properly balanced. That tends to be the ususal suspects. As for the stock Goodyears, I personally dont think those Gatorbacks that come on GT's stock are that great of a tire. The ones I had wore out very quickly and IMHO, werent worth a crap. Amazing I actually got through snow with them though..

 

[ken44ny]

I have to agree. Get the alignment checked and make sure the tires are properly balanced. That tends to be the ususal suspects. As for the stock Goodyears, I personally dont think those Gatorbacks that come on GT's stock are that great of a tire. The ones I had wore out very quickly and IMHO, werent worth a crap. Amazing I actually got through snow with them though..

my 03 has 8000 miles on it.when i hit the brakes i notice it pulls more than i care for

 

[CottonBurnerz]

hmm I kept my hands on the wheel all the time.. I'll try and see though

 

[downsouthman1]

I have to agree. Get the alignment checked and make sure the tires are properly balanced. That tends to be the ususal suspects. As for the stock Goodyears, I personally dont think those Gatorbacks that come on GT's stock are that great of a tire. The ones I had wore out very quickly and IMHO, werent worth a crap. Amazing I actually got through snow with them though..

I also agree that the stock tires aren't worth a crap (IMO). So I say run them hard. Get your use out of them & when they're done go w/ a more agressive non-low profile tread pattern such as Fisk Phantoms. Maybe even on the rear get some 275s for better traction.

 

[wms004]

I have a 2003 GT w/4400miles on the original goodyear tires. Basically the car pulls to the right. When you let go of the wheel in 3 seconds I'm hitting braile if I'm in the left lane or into the curb if I'm in the right lane. Dealer**** says that due to the size being 245's and the good year being a "high-performance" design that this is the reason the car follows the road crown so "aggresively". I'm going to Goodyear this week to let them diagnose whether their tire design is the cause. Firestone said it's because they're unable to adjust the caster enough to fight the road.

My question for those with the stock 245's, does your car pull. All responses are appreciated. Thanks

that tire's technology is over 5 years old now.. don't expect anything great out of it

 

[UA2k1GT]

my gatorbacks followed every crack or groove in the road, and yes it was the tire as I keep my car aligned and wheels balanced.

same happens with my kumhos. they are going to follow the road. It was a very new feeling to me when I first got the car and a few times it tracked so hard to the right on a horrible road I thought i had a flat tire and pulled over.

don't be an automotive hypochondriac

 

[NFCStang]

my gatorbacks followed every crack or groove in the road, and yes it was the tire as I keep my car aligned and wheels balanced.

same happens with my kumhos. they are going to follow the road. It was a very new feeling to me when I first got the car and a few times it tracked so hard to the right on a horrible road I thought i had a flat tire and pulled over.

don't be an automotive hypochondriac

Same here...esp. on highly traveled roads. Mine is all over the place even when I bought new tries

 

[I8ahonda]

My alignment is correct and has been checked 3 times. Originally it was off but re-set after 500 miles and the dealer had to drill out the camber plates to adjust the caster. The tires are balanced and everything checks out. Also, the dealer has rotated, balanced and swapped sides but the car is still pulling to the right. Only to the right and increases in intensity with speed. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

Have you by any chance "curbed" the passengers side wheel ?

 

[I8ahonda]

no, actually when they looked over the vehicle the dealer rep was impressed that the car looks like it's never driven.

 

[I8ahonda]

Anyone know if tires are included in the bumber to bumper. I assume they are, I read the goodyear pamphlet and it stated the first 12000 or 25% of wear.

 

[DC-GT]

Check the bushings for the rear control arms. If they are worn from the mileage then they might pull under acceleration. I saw this on another post...

 

[JonJon]

My 275's track a lot more than my 225's did. Check tire pressure too though, that's usually my problem.

 

[modu1ar tek]

Same thing happens to me, o well..dont let go of the wheel in the freeway.

 

[UA2k1GT]

the tires are not covered under bumper to bumper, as they are a wear and tear item like brake pads. I'm pretty sure there is nothing wrong with your tires or your car, you're just not used to driving on fat sticky tires.

 

[I8ahonda]

Thanks for the advise and opinions, just wanted to see if others knew of possible causes. And as far as the "fat sticky" tire theory goes, I used to have a 97 WS6 with 275 Eagle GS-C's that didn't drive like the ZR's. I'm sure the tires are fine too, but that's the "diagnosis" that the dealership is coming up with. I have the tech's statements on other possible causes that Ford hasn't looked at and just wanted to know from those who own mustangs if they had a similar problem and what was the cause.

 

[Wayne S]

Well what they said sounds good. But then when you think about it, if the tires were that bad of wandering around. You would be tracking left and right. Not just right and any little thing in the road the car would follow. If you were on the highway say 3lanes. High speed lane the car should track left and low speed lane car should track right, going by what they told you.

Depending on how bad the tread wore if the car was out of alignment. The tire would still wear the same way no matter were you put it. It’s a directional tire, If you had the tire on the right side and the tread wore on the outside of the tire. And they took the tire off the rim and put the tire on the left side. The tread wear would now be on the inside of the tire. So the tread wear would still be the same to the road.