Steering pulling to the left

[mrblotto]

Hello all,
For the past month of so my car has had the tendency to 'pull' rather harshly to the left.

"How bad" you ask? For Thanksgiving I tood a 5 hour drive to DC, and my wrist was pretty sore from having to hold the wheel straight.

I then took my car:
'97 Celica
202k miles

to the local tire place where they did a 'free' alignment check (since I got my tires there, I guess that's a 'freebie'?).

The garage guy said 'it wouldn't be worth it to get the alignment straightened out, because its only 1/10 of a degree off'. I'm guessing that's not very much? The tire place also rotated the tires just because.

I was hoping maybe the tire rotation would at least produce a tangible difference in driving, but alas, it still pulls the same amount to the left.

I'm wondering, what could the problem be? I'll double check the tire pressure, but it should be about 34lbs. Maybe one of the struts is going south, is there an obvious way to check this, like see leakage and stuff? I did get the rear 2 struts replaced a couple years ago. Or could I simply put the car on a flat surface and measure the height to the bumper on drivers side vs. passenger side? Not very scientific I know, but I'm not really sure where to turn too (no pun intended).

Edit: Dangit, I always forget something. There is kind of a 'thumping noise' tho, coming from the front tire methinks. It speeds up and slows down with speed, almost like there's something on the tire, but there's nothing out of the ordinary that I can see.


Thanx all and have a good one!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sounds like something is broken in your suspension. I'd get that checked out ASAP if I were you. I can't believe the shop didn't find anything though. Maybe take it somewhere else and get a second opinion? A worn or blown strut wouldn't cause the car to pull like that. Maybe you have a broken spring or a worn or bent tie rod? Although a bent tie rod would screw up your alignment.

Edit-Have you checked your wheel bearings lately? Or your brakes? Could be a sticking brake caliper.

 

[jagec]

I was about to suggest a stuck caliper. Wheel bearings would be a good thing to check as well. While I can well imagine that the shop was too lazy to notice bent/broken suspension components, I can't think of anything that would cause a hard pull to one side but not affect the alignment. I suppose it's possible that something's loose, and moves under stress but not while parked on the alignment rack. Still, that's harder to check, so brakes/bearings should get green-lighted first.
Rotating the tires should have at least produced a change in the behavior if pressure/tread pattern/balancing was to blame.

 

[mrblotto]

Stuck Caliper ?Good idea. I guess a good way to check is to just stick my hand on the drivers side front wheel when I get home from work today (about 20 mi one way), then check the passenger side, noting if there are any obvious temp differences. I may end up going somewhere else too for an alignment check. As is always said - 'you get what you pay for', and I dont really expect much from a free alignment check...rofl.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

alignment is about the straightness of the tires relative to the others. A "pull" usually doesn't mean alignment although people usually assume it's the problem for whatever reason. Alignment problems usually show up in tire wear and ride conditions - not usually a "pull".

The "pull" is from your steering not being centered most likely. It has to do with your power steering. What you can do is park with your wheel next to a curb - the side it pulls to - and then turn off the car. Crank the steering wheel towards the curb. Turn car on and try driving it. You can go too far some times so you have to do the other side but it should do the trick. I've done it with every car I've owned that starts "pulling". (some do the curb trick with the car running - I've always done it when off though)

 

[mrblotto]

Before I left work yesterday, I pulled it up to the curb (driverside), and gave the wheel a good crank left. Didn't seem to do anything dangit. When I got to my other job, I felt both front wheels. They seemed to be both the same temp (ie, barely warm). I'll take a closer look at the tires for unusual wear when I get the chance to go outside when its light out.....lol

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
alignment is about the straightness of the tires relative to the others. A "pull" usually doesn't mean alignment although people usually assume it's the problem for whatever reason. Alignment problems usually show up in tire wear and ride conditions - not usually a "pull".

The "pull" is from your steering not being centered most likely. It has to do with your power steering. What you can do is park with your wheel next to a curb - the side it pulls to - and then turn off the car. Crank the steering wheel towards the curb. Turn car on and try driving it. You can go too far some times so you have to do the other side but it should do the trick. I've done it with every car I've owned that starts "pulling". (some do the curb trick with the car running - I've always done it when off though)

Don't do this. I don't know who told you this, but doing it will NOT correct a pull. Plus, having your steering centered IS PART OF THE ALIGNMENT. If your steering wheel is off center, the car won't pull to either side...the steering wheel will simply not be centered.
Hell, you can put the wheel on upside down and it won't cause a pull.
The only thing this "curb trick" can possibly to is move some already loose or worn components back the other way....it can't last. Only thing you'd be really affecting is the toe, and guess what....that's part of the alignment, too.

A pull to one side or another IS usually caused by alignment. The next most common thing is a tire pull...and since your tires were rotated, that's probably ruled out. Might still want to swap sides with the tires and see if it changes.

The brake caliper being stuck or dragging is also a good thing to check. Best way to tell that is jack the front end off the ground and spin the tires by hand. If one is dragging, it'll be obvious.

There's really not much else that can cause the pull you're describing that SHOULDN'T be caught by and alignment check. If checking the brakes and swapping the tires again don't change anything, you might want to get a better alignment shop to look at it.

 

[boomerang]

I know they said they rotated the tires, but I believe you have a tire with a broken or shifted belt.

Are these tires fairly new?

Besides the pull, the thumping noise you describe is what clinches it for me.

Are you the only driver? If there is another driver, any chance that person drives, shall we say "aggressively".

Even driving through a bad pothole can damage a tire.

 

[bruceb]

If the car pulls it is either the TOE Adjustment or a Camber Adjustment
that is out of whack. It can also be caused by Worn Tie Rods or worn out
Ball Joints ... As to your noise in the front end, check the Sway Bar end links
and the Upper Shock Mounts in the front .. they have been known to fail.

This link explains how Camber, Caster and Toe affect steering:

http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html

And please, find a Good Alignment shop who has 4 wheel alignment
and get away from the shop that doesn't know what to do. Even the
car dealer will do a good job for under $100

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
alignment is about the straightness of the tires relative to the others. A "pull" usually doesn't mean alignment although people usually assume it's the problem for whatever reason. Alignment problems usually show up in tire wear and ride conditions - not usually a "pull".

The "pull" is from your steering not being centered most likely. It has to do with your power steering. What you can do is park with your wheel next to a curb - the side it pulls to - and then turn off the car. Crank the steering wheel towards the curb. Turn car on and try driving it. You can go too far some times so you have to do the other side but it should do the trick. I've done it with every car I've owned that starts "pulling". (some do the curb trick with the car running - I've always done it when off though)

Don't do this. I don't know who told you this, but doing it will NOT correct a pull. Plus, having your steering centered IS PART OF THE ALIGNMENT. If your steering wheel is off center, the car won't pull to either side...the steering wheel will simply not be centered.
Hell, you can put the wheel on upside down and it won't cause a pull.
The only thing this "curb trick" can possibly to is move some already loose or worn components back the other way....it can't last. Only thing you'd be really affecting is the toe, and guess what....that's part of the alignment, too.

A pull to one side or another IS usually caused by alignment. The next most common thing is a tire pull...and since your tires were rotated, that's probably ruled out. Might still want to swap sides with the tires and see if it changes.

The brake caliper being stuck or dragging is also a good thing to check. Best way to tell that is jack the front end off the ground and spin the tires by hand. If one is dragging, it'll be obvious.

There's really not much else that can cause the pull you're describing that SHOULDN'T be caught by and alignment check. If checking the brakes and swapping the tires again don't change anything, you might want to get a better alignment shop to look at it.

Well, I can say that in EVERY car(several hundred thousand miles) that I've had that had a slight "pull" when you let go of the steering wheel was corrected this way. And YES, I had the alignment checked most of the time anyway(to make sure nothing was too worn/broken) - none were ever misaligned(according to the technicians).

Also, I didn't say the steering wheel wasn't centered - I said the steering wasn't centered. Obviously the actual steering wheel itself has nothing to do with a "pull".

Meh - whatever I guess.

 

[cardiac]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
alignment is about the straightness of the tires relative to the others. A "pull" usually doesn't mean alignment although people usually assume it's the problem for whatever reason. Alignment problems usually show up in tire wear and ride conditions - not usually a "pull".

The "pull" is from your steering not being centered most likely. It has to do with your power steering. What you can do is park with your wheel next to a curb - the side it pulls to - and then turn off the car. Crank the steering wheel towards the curb. Turn car on and try driving it. You can go too far some times so you have to do the other side but it should do the trick. I've done it with every car I've owned that starts "pulling". (some do the curb trick with the car running - I've always done it when off though)

Don't do this. I don't know who told you this, but doing it will NOT correct a pull. Plus, having your steering centered IS PART OF THE ALIGNMENT. If your steering wheel is off center, the car won't pull to either side...the steering wheel will simply not be centered.
Hell, you can put the wheel on upside down and it won't cause a pull.
The only thing this "curb trick" can possibly to is move some already loose or worn components back the other way....it can't last. Only thing you'd be really affecting is the toe, and guess what....that's part of the alignment, too.

A pull to one side or another IS usually caused by alignment. The next most common thing is a tire pull...and since your tires were rotated, that's probably ruled out. Might still want to swap sides with the tires and see if it changes.

The brake caliper being stuck or dragging is also a good thing to check. Best way to tell that is jack the front end off the ground and spin the tires by hand. If one is dragging, it'll be obvious.

There's really not much else that can cause the pull you're describing that SHOULDN'T be caught by and alignment check. If checking the brakes and swapping the tires again don't change anything, you might want to get a better alignment shop to look at it.

Well, I can say that in EVERY car(several hundred thousand miles) that I've had that had a slight "pull" when you let go of the steering wheel was corrected this way. And YES, I had the alignment checked most of the time anyway(to make sure nothing was too worn/broken) - none were ever misaligned(according to the technicians).

Also, I didn't say the steering wheel wasn't centered - I said the steering wasn't centered. Obviously the actual steering wheel itself has nothing to do with a "pull".

Meh - whatever I guess.

But explain: What do you think this is doing mechanically? What are you "Correcting"? In 30 plus years of working extensively on my own vehicles, 10 years working at NAPA, etc...I never heard of doing this. But enlighten me

Bob

 

[mrblotto]

I do believe the 'thump thump' is coming from a tire, as it gets faster/slower with speed. Almost feels like part of the tire is 'raised up' or something. Of course one cant really see it first hand, other than maybe tossing it on one of those tire balancing/spinny things. The tires are about 1.5 years old, nothing special. Not bargain basement, but probably bargain 1st floor. I didn't really wanna spend an exhorborant amount on a vehicle with over 200k on it. I will definitely take it to a different shop and have them take a look-see. Thank you ALL for your advice! It's nice to know people out there still try to help others........

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
alignment is about the straightness of the tires relative to the others. A "pull" usually doesn't mean alignment although people usually assume it's the problem for whatever reason. Alignment problems usually show up in tire wear and ride conditions - not usually a "pull".

The "pull" is from your steering not being centered most likely. It has to do with your power steering. What you can do is park with your wheel next to a curb - the side it pulls to - and then turn off the car. Crank the steering wheel towards the curb. Turn car on and try driving it. You can go too far some times so you have to do the other side but it should do the trick. I've done it with every car I've owned that starts "pulling". (some do the curb trick with the car running - I've always done it when off though)

Don't do this. I don't know who told you this, but doing it will NOT correct a pull. Plus, having your steering centered IS PART OF THE ALIGNMENT. If your steering wheel is off center, the car won't pull to either side...the steering wheel will simply not be centered.
Hell, you can put the wheel on upside down and it won't cause a pull.
The only thing this "curb trick" can possibly to is move some already loose or worn components back the other way....it can't last. Only thing you'd be really affecting is the toe, and guess what....that's part of the alignment, too.

A pull to one side or another IS usually caused by alignment. The next most common thing is a tire pull...and since your tires were rotated, that's probably ruled out. Might still want to swap sides with the tires and see if it changes.

The brake caliper being stuck or dragging is also a good thing to check. Best way to tell that is jack the front end off the ground and spin the tires by hand. If one is dragging, it'll be obvious.

There's really not much else that can cause the pull you're describing that SHOULDN'T be caught by and alignment check. If checking the brakes and swapping the tires again don't change anything, you might want to get a better alignment shop to look at it.

Well, I can say that in EVERY car(several hundred thousand miles) that I've had that had a slight "pull" when you let go of the steering wheel was corrected this way. And YES, I had the alignment checked most of the time anyway(to make sure nothing was too worn/broken) - none were ever misaligned(according to the technicians).

Also, I didn't say the steering wheel wasn't centered - I said the steering wasn't centered. Obviously the actual steering wheel itself has nothing to do with a "pull".

Meh - whatever I guess.

Well, I'm not trying to put your opinion down or anything, but in my professional opinion, performing the procedure you described did absolutely nothing.
Likely, you simply had a pull due to the crown or wear in the road you were traveling on, you did this curb thing, and tried it on another road.
If it was a one-time thing, I might buy that maybe pushing against the curb MAYBE shifted something in the front end that could affect the alignment....but not on multiple cars.
My guess is you experienced a placebo effect, because the typical car's power steering can't bend or shift the front end components, and just your arms turning the wheel when the car wasn't even running surely didn't.

Oh, and there really isn't such thing as the steering being "centered". The car is either in alignment or it isn't.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: bruceb
If the car pulls it is either the TOE Adjustment or a Camber Adjustment
that is out of whack. It can also be caused by Worn Tie Rods or worn out
Ball Joints ... As to your noise in the front end, check the Sway Bar end links
and the Upper Shock Mounts in the front .. they have been known to fail.

This link explains how Camber, Caster and Toe affect steering:

http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html

Camber really doesn't affect whether the car pulls or not unless it's WAY off. It affects how the tires wear across the tread.

Toe can definitely cause a pull.

So can a bad tire. Toe and tires are the two biggest causes of pulls.

The sway bar and shock mounts can certainly go bad, but they can't cause a pull.
Nor can they cause a noise that is affected by speed.

OP, my recommendation is that you get that noise checked out, pronto. Could be a bearing, or a tire...or a CV joint. Could be something in the transmission, even.
Get it checked, and fixed. If that doesn't fix the pull, a good alignment shop is the next step.

 

[mrblotto]

Update,
well, not much to update really. Except for I checked the pressures in all 4 tires and they were all within 30-34 lb range. I then got down and took a closer look at the tire in question (driver front). I noticed that it has a 'plug' from where it had been repaired due to a nail or screw getting lodged in it some time ago. I'm wondering if this may have eventually lead to a belt to break or something. That's about it for now..........