Car Pulls to the Right

tekneek · 10-29-2009, 04:40 PM

What could cause my car to pull to the right when the steering wheel is centered?

I took my car in for an alignment because of this issue and everything looks fine as far as specs go. Unfortunately, the car still pulls to the right. I'm kind of suspecting that the alignment was done without straightening the steering wheel. I suspect the toe to be off by the same amount on both front wheels. Tire pressure is all consistent and there are no bends or dents on my wheels.

What else could cause this to happen?

Mods, pls move this thread to the "Wheels & Alignment" section.

pdpgps · 10-29-2009, 04:48 PM

The machine might be off, sensors weren't reading correctly, the steering wheel might not have been centered, or the mechanic didn't do it right. All possible options

tekneek · 10-29-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdpgps

The machine might be off, sensors weren't reading correctly, the steering wheel might not have been centered, or the mechanic didn't do it right. All possible options

I've pretty much narrowed it to what you just said. I'm just wondering if there could be any other likely causes.

tsxtasy · 10-29-2009, 05:00 PM

When my mom was looking for a TL we found one that had an issue with pulling to the right. We had the dealership do an alignment and it still didn't help. We ended up passing up that car and never did find out the issue. Hopefully you can figure out what's wrong with your car.

Have you curbed it recently or done anything that could have knocked the alignment off? The TL had a nasty curb rash on the front right wheel so I suspected that more than the rim and alignment was screwed up when it got curbed.

tekneek · 10-29-2009, 05:02 PM

^ no curbing or damage. just normal daily driving. bumps and small potholes here and there, but nothing insane. the toe does look visually off when i park the car but that might just be me and my imagination.

tsxtasy · 10-29-2009, 05:04 PM

Did they not give you a print out of the alignment specs after they finished?

tekneek · 10-29-2009, 05:06 PM

they did and everything looked good. i am no alignment expert but i know what specs i like and should be. the only thing that leaves me with is that the steering wheel wasn't straight for the entire alignment.

EuroRspec · 10-29-2009, 05:11 PM

I tell you exactly what it is, Radial pull. Sometimes the weave in the tire breaks up or wasn't made properly and will cause the car to pull to a specific side. Try and cross rotate your tires even if they are directional and see if anything changes.

I have had the same issues since I got my Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec. I had the car aligned 3 time after the initial alignment with Specs that were perfect(1 time at the dealer, the rest at other high end shops). Still had the pull, said **** it as long as it's the tires I'm cool. Later I found a set of wheels with tires that I had always wanted, the tires were some low quality brand.....no pull what so ever, even after I rotated. Sold the wheels months later, put the stocks with the Dunlops back on, slight pull to the right.

You can try everything you are thinking but I can guarantee 100% that it's the tires. Allot of people even on s2ki.com have had this issue with various brands.

There is a good thread on Acura Zine about this with lots more information. I posted my findings there with a couple of other people from that forum.

tsxtasy · 10-29-2009, 05:13 PM

Hm that's interesting. Makes sense too.

808havok_tsx · 10-29-2009, 08:14 PM

i second the radial pull. i had the same prob. alignment was perfect, tire pressure correct; everything indicated that the car should drive straight.

the dealer's shop foreman also test drove my car and he said the radial pull is common for some reason... after rotating the tires, the pull went away.

speedlimitz · 10-29-2009, 08:25 PM

Start crossing tires and see if the pull follows

wyy183 · 10-29-2009, 09:02 PM

Yes, it is usually tire related when everything is in spec. Something as simple as air pressure differences can push/pull you in one direction or the other.

Ever watch auto racing? Indy? Nascar? You'll hear them talk about adjusting air pressures. Part of the air pressure adjustments help the vehicle turn better.

Think I'm crazy? Put 30 psi in your left-side tires and 50 psi in the right-side ones (assuming that your tires can take that, check the sidewalls first for maximum pressure,) and drive around a bit. Then swap the air pressures - do 50 left, 30 right.

Don't forget to reset to recommended pressures after fun-time is over!

tekneek · 10-30-2009, 01:32 AM

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'll probably put on the stocks on to see if it is radial pull. If worst comes to worst, i'm going to just say f*ck it and jsut drive it seeing how only the tires will take the beating.

annoying thing is, the steering wheel has that slight pressure to go back to the center position so i have to constantly pull it slightly to the left or counterclockwise.

cl9_zx6r · 10-30-2009, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EuroRspec

I tell you exactly what it is, Radial pull. Sometimes the weave in the tire breaks up or wasn't made properly and will cause the car to pull to a specific side. Try and cross rotate your tires even if they are directional and see if anything changes.

I have had the same issues since I got my Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec. I had the car aligned 3 time after the initial alignment with Specs that were perfect(1 time at the dealer, the rest at other high end shops). Still had the pull, said **** it as long as it's the tires I'm cool. Later I found a set of wheels with tires that I had always wanted, the tires were some low quality brand.....no pull what so ever, even after I rotated. Sold the wheels months later, put the stocks with the Dunlops back on, slight pull to the right.

You can try everything you are thinking but I can guarantee 100% that it's the tires. Allot of people even on s2ki.com have had this issue with various brands.

There is a good thread on Acura Zine about this with lots more information. I posted my findings there with a couple of other people from that forum.

+1 had the same issue after i got new tires and alignment done on my gf civic..car just keeps pulling right so shop said its radial pull they swap the tire on the right like 3 times until the pulling was gone...so it could just be the bad tire..

tsx07 · 10-30-2009, 04:12 AM

just try to rotate the front to back and back to front tires, I had that kind of experience. Then bought new tires and it when away.