|
|
| Author |
Message |
rcx822
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 112
|
 Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 9:55 am Post subject: Car pulling to one side |
 |
|
If a car is pulling slightly to one side, I assume that this is tracking and nothing to do with the alignment of the front wheels (the toe has been set to toe in slightly as per manufacturer specs).
And tracking is the alignment of the rear axle to the front axle?
The rear axle is held with two trailing arms. I was thinking of modifying the trailing arms to have a "johny joint" at one end (bit like a heim joint), so that the rear axle position is adjustable. Good idea? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4104
Location: South Cheshire
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
We need a bit more detail 
Do you mean that when the front wheels are pointing straight forward (not that the steering wheel is straight!) and the car is moving on a flat surface it pulls to one side?
If so it could a number of things from the tracking being out ,brakes binding on one side, worn steering suspension components to poorly repaired accident damage.
Dave |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rcx822
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 112
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Oh ok so it's not that simple.
Put it like this, while driving, 90% of the time the steering wheel needs the driver to apply light force to the left in order to keep on a straight line course.
The steering box has some play in it, I find that to keep the car on a straight line, I need to turn the wheel left until I reach the end of the "play" and then a tiny bit more, and then the car stays straight. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MikeEdwards
Joined: 25 May 2011
Posts: 2467
Location: South Cheshire
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Car pulling to one side |
|
|
| rcx822 wrote: | | And tracking is the alignment of the rear axle to the front axle? |
"Tracking" to me means the angle between the front wheels (i.e the toe-in or toe-out). It could equally apply to the angle between the rear wheels (if adjustable) but it's not a term I'd expect to be applied to the relationship between front and rear axles. That said, I'm not exactly sure what term I *would* use - four-wheel alignment I guess. A quick look at Wikipedia doesn't help - the page on alignment uses the term "Setback" for the difference in wheelbase length from one side to the other, but that sounds very American to me.
I'd be reluctant to start adding adjustable joints into a vehicle where they weren't originally fitted - but I stress that I'm no suspension expert by any means. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rcx822
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 112
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:05 am Post subject: Re: Car pulling to one side |
|
|
| MikeEdwards wrote: |
"Tracking" to me means the angle between the front wheels (i.e the toe-in or toe-out). |
I believe this is a common error in terminology, what most people call tracking is the toe of the front wheels. I saw in some book that tracking is the direction of the rear axle, which of course should be parallel with the chassis. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PAUL BEAUMONT
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 1281
Location: Barnsley S. Yorks
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 12:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I am sure it would help us all if we knew what your car was and the sort of suspension and steering that is fitted. As Dave pointed out, there are many things that could cause this problem, which could be caused by the rear axle not the front one. If we are talking about a pre-war vehicle, correcting this may well prove to be impossible! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4104
Location: South Cheshire
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 1:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Assuming the tyres have stayed on the same wheels whilst the car has had the problem, what does the tyre wear look like?
Dave |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rcx822
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 112
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 1:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It's a 1990 Suzuki Vitara that I've been restoring (sorry not quite classic).
Solid rear axle, independent front, Mcpherson front struts. Steering is a steering box.
Tyre wear is unknown because it's had new tyres and before that the camber was way out and by different amounts on each side, but that's all been fixed now, but it means the last tyres wore very unevenly, and were being rotated anyway. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rcx822
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 112
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 5:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Very useful. So going by that list, possible causes:
Uneven camber side-to-side.
- Camber has been checked, it's correct.
Uneven caster side-to-side.
- Caster? Is this the kingpin angle or something. Not sure.
Rear axle steer.
- Possible. Car was used off road a lot, could be bent slightly.
Brake drag.
- Was checked
Low tire pressure.
- Pressures are done.
Mismatched tires side-to-side.
- Tyres are same, all new.
Ply steer.
- Seems unlikely. New tyres.
Unbalanced power assist.
- Would need to check.
Excessive road crown.
- I suspected this, but just drove to Europe (ie other side of the road) and the same problem in same direction, so no.
Last edited by rcx822 on Tue Jun 16, 2015 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4755
Location: Swindon, Wilts.
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 5:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi
| Quote: | Rear axle steer.
- Possible. Car was used off road a lot, could be bent slightly. |
Get a friend to follow you, I've lost count of the number of minis i have seen crabbing "sideways" down the road and the drivers seem unaware of it, with them I think it is the subframe mounts that cause it, but I suppose any car could have this problem.[/quote]
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Peter_L
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 6:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Penman wrote: | Hi
| Quote: | Rear axle steer.
- Possible. Car was used off road a lot, could be bent slightly. |
Get a friend to follow you, I've lost count of the number of minis i have seen crabbing "sideways" down the road and the drivers seem unaware of it, with them I think it is the subframe mounts that cause it, but I suppose any car could have this problem. |
[/quote]
Yes. would be my best guess. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rcx822
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Posts: 112
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 6:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Yes. would be my best guess. |
Is it really that obviously visible? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4755
Location: Swindon, Wilts.
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi
| rcx822 wrote: | | Quote: |
Yes. would be my best guess. |
Is it really that obviously visible? |
Have you nevere followed a crabbing mini?
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7117
Location: Edinburgh
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 12:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
Crabbing wouldn't pull, it would just run straight with slight diagonal stance.
Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
