Car pulls to one side

[Rusty2009]

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Vehicle Leads/Pulls

Vehicle Leads/Pulls

[TR] [TD]Step[/TD] [TD]Action[/TD] [TD]Yes[/TD] [TD]No[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD]DEFINITION: At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull is the amount of effort required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle straight path. Note: Vehicles will tend to lead/pull in the direction of the road slope as part of normal operation. [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]1[/TD] [TD]Did you review the General Description and perform the visual/physical inspections?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 2[/TD] [TD]Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]2[/TD] [TD]Road test the vehicle in order to verify the complaint. Does the vehicle operate normally?[/TD] [TD]System OK[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]3[/TD] [TD]Inspect the tire/wheel assemblies for: • Correct tire pressure-Refer to the tire placard. • Correct tire size-Refer to the tire placard. • Abnormal tire wear or damage. Did you find and correct the condition?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 9[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 4[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]4[/TD] [TD]Perform the Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction . Did you find and correct the condition?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 9[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]5[/TD] [TD]Inspect and correct/adjust the suspension and steering systems for: Excessively worn, loose, or damaged components. Did you find and correct the condition?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 9[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]6[/TD] [TD]Inspect the brake system for brake drag. With the vehicle suspended on a hoist, brake drag can be identified by rotating each wheel several times and observing whether more force is needed to rotate the left wheel or the right wheel. Did you find and correct the condition?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 9[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 7[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]7[/TD] [TD]Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust as necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement . Did you correct the condition?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 9[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 8[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]8[/TD] [TD]Inspect the steering gear for unequal effort. The vehicle must be suspended on a hoist, the engine running, and the transmission in park or neutral. Grasp the tire assembly and manually simulate a turn from the left of center and the right of center observing whether more force is needed to turn to the left or to the right. If this condition exists, replace the steering gear. Did you correct the condition?[/TD] [TD]System OK[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 3[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]9[/TD] [TD]Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition?[/TD] [TD]System OK[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 3[/TD] [/TR]

Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction

Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction

[TR] [TD]Step[/TD] [TD]Action[/TD] [TD]Yes[/TD] [TD]No[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD]DEFINITION: Lead/pull is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level road with no pressure on the steering wheel.[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]1[/TD] [TD]Did you perform the Vehicle Leads/Pull diagnostic table?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 2[/TD] [TD]Go to Vehicle Leads/Pulls [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]2[/TD] [TD]Road test the vehicle to verify the complaint. Select a smooth level surface to perform the test. Does the condition exist?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 3[/TD] [TD]System OK[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]3[/TD] [TD]1. Cross-switch the left front tire/wheel assembly with the left rear tire/wheel assembly. Refer to . Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation 2. Road test the vehicle on a smooth level surface. Does the vehicle still lead/pull?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 4[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 5[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]4[/TD] [TD]1. Cross-switch the right front tire/wheel assembly with the right rear tire/wheel assembly. Refer to . Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation. 2. Road test the vehicle on a smooth level surface. Does the vehicle still lead/pull?[/TD] [TD]Go to Wheel Alignment Measurement [/TD] [TD]Go to Step 6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]5[/TD] [TD]Replace the left rear tire. Is the repair complete?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 7[/TD] [TD]-[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]6[/TD] [TD]Replace the right rear tire. Is the repair complete?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 7[/TD] [TD]-[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]7[/TD] [TD]Verify proper vehicle operation. Does the original condition still exist?[/TD] [TD]Go to Step 1[/TD] [TD]System OK[/TD] [/TR]

Wheel Alignment Measurement

Steering and vibration complaints are not always the result of improper alignment. One possible cause is wheel and tire imbalance. Another possibility is tire lead due to worn or improperly manufactured tires. Lead/pull is defined as follows: At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull is the amount of effort required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle's straight path. Lead is the vehicle deviation from a straight path on a level road without pressure on the steering wheel.
Before performing any adjustment affecting wheel alignment, perform the following inspections and adjustments in order to ensure correct alignment readings:

• Inspect the tires for the proper inflation and irregular tire wear.

• Inspect the runout of the wheels and the tires.

• Inspect the wheel bearings for backlash and excessive play. Refer to Suspension Strut and Shock Absorber Testing - On Vehicle.

• Inspect the ball joints for looseness or wear.

• Inspect the tie rod ends for looseness or wear.

• Inspect the control arms and stabilizer shaft for looseness or wear.

• Inspect the steering gear for looseness at the frame.

• Inspect the struts/shock absorbers for wear, leaks, and any noticeable noises. Refer to Suspension Strut and Shock Absorber Testing - On Vehicle.

• Inspect the steering wheel for excessive drag or poor return due to stiff or rusted linkage or suspension components.

• Inspect the fuel level. The fuel tank should be full or the vehicle should have a compensating load added.

Give consideration to excess loads, such as tool boxes, sample cases, etc. If normally carried in the vehicle, these items should remain in the vehicle during alignment adjustments. Give consideration also to the condition of the equipment being used for the alignment. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Satisfactory vehicle operation may occur over a wide range of alignment settings. However, if the setting exceeds the service allowable specifications, correct the alignment to the service preferred specifications. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications
Perform the following steps in order to measure the front and rear alignment angles:

• 1. Install the alignment equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• 2. Jounce the front and the rear bumpers 3 times prior to checking the wheel alignment.

• 3. Measure the alignment angles and record the readings.

Note:
• Record the "Before" and "After" alignment measurements.

• When performing adjustments to vehicles requiring a 4-wheel alignment, set the rear wheel alignment angles first in order to obtain proper front alignment angles.

• 4. Adjust alignment angles to vehicle specification, if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications .[/TD]