Car back from accident pulls to the left when Accelerating

[Insomniator]

Just got my mini back 2 days ago and there is a definite issue. When I accelerate the car pulls to the left and then goes back straight when i let off the gas. The harder I hit the gas the more it pulls.

The accident was in the front passenger side so they replaced most of the suspension parts on that side + the axle, rotor, wheel, tire.

I'm thinking its as simple as me having one brand new tire on the passenger side vs a tire with maybe 25% tread left on the driver but I don't know if that would cause this type of thing.

Any ideas? Anything installed incorrectly or just uneven wear?

The guys said they 'quality controlled' the work by driving it for 50 miles... I can't believe they wouldn't notice this.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I would not think that the wear of the tire would cause it.

Some part is not properly installed/tightened and allowing some slippage when under acceleration/force.

If they are not accelerating the way you do; it might not be noticeable.

 

[brainhulk]

if you have a limited slip differential then the uneven wear tires could be the cause

you can check this by swapping the wheels left to right. the confirmation would be if it veers the other direction on acceleration

 

[sze5003]

Have them check the alignment and the axles. Don't accept it until it's repaired as it was before the accident. I've had this happen before after an accident too and it turned out to be that it wasn't holding alignment because the area where the front axle meets the wheel wasn't repaired properly. I wish I could remember what it was called.

 

[JCH13]

Have them check the alignment and the axles. Don't accept it until it's repaired as it was before the accident. I've had this happen before after an accident too and it turned out to be that it wasn't holding alignment because the area where the front axle meets the wheel wasn't repaired properly. I wish I could remember what it was called.

^This

Sounds like a bad alignment issue. Might need crash bolts or a 'camber kit' to get things happy again.

I do not buy 'uneven tire wear' for a second.

 

[sze5003]

Some cars don't have a camber kits, I don't think my Lancer does. My 3000gt did have it and it also had something to do with the wheel bearings where it was hit.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Sounds like the camber is out of whack on one side. Needs alignment

 

[Insomniator]

Gah they already had the car for a month and a half for no good reason... I guess I'll call and complain to bring it back in.

The story about the axle didn't make any sense. He said they had trouble getting the axle out of the car due to rust so that took an extra day of hammering. Then the axle they got from the mini dealer down the street 'didn't fit properly' but the dealer said they only made one for the car and that is the correct one. The axle is two pieces and the part that connected to the car was still good, so the guy said he decided to use that half of the old axle and connected it to the other half of the new axle.

I should have known then to run to the shop and have my car towed somewhere else!

 

[sze5003]

Gah they already had the car for a month and a half for no good reason... I guess I'll call and complain to bring it back in.

The story about the axle didn't make any sense. He said they had trouble getting the axle out of the car due to rust so that took an extra day of hammering. Then the axle they got from the mini dealer down the street 'didn't fit properly' but the dealer said they only made one for the car and that is the correct one. The axle is two pieces and the part that connected to the car was still good, so the guy said he decided to use that half of the old axle and connected it to the other half of the new axle.

I should have known then to run to the shop and have my car towed somewhere else!

What insurance do you have? If the axle is damaged, it should be replaced with either oem parts or an aftermarket equivalent. I don't know why they would use half a new axle and keep the other end. Maybe it didn't fit exactly.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well, it is FWD. Do those cars suffer from torque steer at all? What you're describing sounds like typical torque steer.

 

[Insomniator]

Well, it is FWD. Do those cars suffer from torque steer at all? What you're describing sounds like typical torque steer.

They might but this didn't have it before the accident. The car barely has any torque to begin with. Its an S with maybe 180HP after the mods I have.

 

[JCH13]

Well, it is FWD. Do those cars suffer from torque steer at all? What you're describing sounds like typical torque steer.

It's definitely torque steer. Torque steer is greatly exacerbated by alignment and axle issues. I presume OP can feel the difference between what it used to be like and how it is now.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Alignment for sure

 

[Midwayman]

I had a similar issue when I had a steering knuckle going on me. Alignment would change under acceleration.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's definitely torque steer. Torque steer is greatly exacerbated by alignment and axle issues. I presume OP can feel the difference between what it used to be like and how it is now.

You would think. However, he hasn't driven it in over a month... also, I don't know how long he had it prior to the accident or how perceptive he is so I thought I'd mention it.

 

[JCH13]

You would think. However, he hasn't driven it in over a month... also, I don't know how long he had it prior to the accident or how perceptive he is so I thought I'd mention it.

Fair enough.

 

[Insomniator]

I've had the car for a year and a half and put 35k miles on it... I noticed the pull the second I got on the highway. Nothing like that before...

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've had the car for a year and a half and put 35k miles on it... I noticed the pull the second I got on the highway. Nothing like that before...

Fair enough. Take it back and complain. If that doesn't work, take it somewhere else and get a second opinion. Your Mini dealer would probably be a good place to start.

 

[Insomniator]

Yeah it definitely feels off. Sometimes I can change lanes by accelerating. Other times the car feels like it randomly shifts to the right a few feet. Kind of floating overall... not what a mini S should feel like.

 

[thescreensavers]

TQ Steer, Steers Right when moving forward though, he is saying its pulls to the left.

Something is screwy with the repair. Dont let them take advantage of you.

 

[JCH13]

Yeah it definitely feels off. Sometimes I can change lanes by accelerating. Other times the car feels like it randomly shifts to the right a few feet. Kind of floating overall... not what a mini S should feel like.

That's way scarier than you initially described. Don't drive the car until you get it looked it. This could be something like a failing steering joint or suspension joint. If it lets go you could be in a LOT of trouble.

 

[leper84]

Gah they already had the car for a month and a half for no good reason... I guess I'll call and complain to bring it back in.

The story about the axle didn't make any sense. He said they had trouble getting the axle out of the car due to rust so that took an extra day of hammering. Then the axle they got from the mini dealer down the street 'didn't fit properly' but the dealer said they only made one for the car and that is the correct one. The axle is two pieces and the part that connected to the car was still good, so the guy said he decided to use that half of the old axle and connected it to the other half of the new axle.

I should have known then to run to the shop and have my car towed somewhere else!

Don't know for sure if its causing your pull, but, the passenger axle in that car is a two piece. Half with the cv joints goes into the spindle and there is a half with a carrier bearing into the transmission. The transmission side has 3 or four bolts that hold the carrier to the block, once you remove those it should slide right out no effort required. The spindle side should slide right out with a couple second love tap from an air hammer.

The new axle from Mini doesn't come with the bearing and it sounds like they couldn't figure out how to swap the old one over or were too cheap (insurance) to buy a new one. If its warped or wallowed out from the accident it could cause some issues. Or if the entire axle on that side got pushed into the transmission a little too hard during the accident that might explain a whole lot. Or it could even be an issue with the spindle on that side. Something broken is the reason they wouldn't replace the entire axle, those are easy as hell and Mini specifically sells the passenger side with both halves. Don't take no for an answer. Pay Mini a checkout fee out of your own pocket for a second opinion, just don't rest until its right. Worst case scenario a little excessive torque steer can be a symptom of a much larger problem.

 

[Insomniator]

Don't know for sure if its causing your pull, but, the passenger axle in that car is a two piece. Half with the cv joints goes into the spindle and there is a half with a carrier bearing into the transmission. The transmission side has 3 or four bolts that hold the carrier to the block, once you remove those it should slide right out no effort required. The spindle side should slide right out with a couple second love tap from an air hammer.

The new axle from Mini doesn't come with the bearing and it sounds like they couldn't figure out how to swap the old one over or were too cheap (insurance) to buy a new one. If its warped or wallowed out from the accident it could cause some issues. Or if the entire axle on that side got pushed into the transmission a little too hard during the accident that might explain a whole lot. Or it could even be an issue with the spindle on that side. Something broken is the reason they wouldn't replace the entire axle, those are easy as hell and Mini specifically sells the passenger side with both halves. Don't take no for an answer. Pay Mini a checkout fee out of your own pocket for a second opinion, just don't rest until its right. Worst case scenario a little excessive torque steer can be a symptom of a much larger problem.

Interesting, they said they bought the whole axle but couldn't figure out how to install it properly. I don't understand, this is the shop the mini dealer down the street uses. They had like 3 other mini's in the lot. How could they not know every damn thing about the car. Will bring it back in soon.

The dealer is also offering a free alignment check and 31 pt inspection with a coupon... maybe I'll bring it in for that and explain the situation to them.

 

[Insomniator]

OK bringing it in tomorrow but a quick update on what I'm feeling exactly.

The car is always pulling to the left at least a little bit. The faster I'm going the more it pulls, same for the harder I accelerate.

Today however I noticed cruising at 80 on a smooth road with my hands on the wheel so it can't pull, at times I can feel the front end going to the left for a few seconds.. then the right.. then the left.. etc. To someone that doesn't know much about cars it feels like something is just... loose and moving and causing the car to not be stable like it use to be. I imagine the front end being on some kind of swivel that is just free to move as the road/air resistance decides. This is with my hands tight on the wheel so the car isn't actually sliding much, but I still 'feel' the movement.

Make any sense?

 

[CurrentlyPissed]

If the side that you were hit on is the carrier barring axle side, replace said axle. If not, replace said upper, or lower control arm.