Pulling badly to the left - most likely cause? - Page 2

Clan · Oct 28th, 2007, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyda

Ok, well it's off to a specialist next weekend so we shall see. Just as a thought though, could this be the result of the OSF ball joint (control arm complete) needing replacement as suggested by Volvo?

Thanks for all the suggestions ...

not unless it is completely shot with 6 mm of side play ! it would be knocking away then though , they develope vertical play first which wont affect alignment ..

spyda · Oct 28th, 2007, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

not unless it is completely shot with 6 mm of side play ! it would be knocking away then though , they develope vertical play first which wont affect alignment ..

Ok, thanks for that. Although I suppose some of the knocking I hear when driving could be coming from there?

If something is bent as you say and it's something serious that's going to cost heavily, I don't want to be forking out for two engine mounts and a transmission mount, it's a tough decision especially with 120k miles on the clock and a turbo that's rattling as it is (which Volvo told me not to be concerned about).

I had gained hope since the initial quote but I'm losing it rapidly! :-(

Clan · Oct 28th, 2007, 09:52

Yes a clonk from the relavent side over bumps could be the lower ball joint/arm
the engine mounts wont affect the car pulling to one side ....i'd leave those ( or that , ) for a rainy day ... the gearbox mount doesnt give trouble and the two on the lower beam are not really mounts at all they just stop the engine swinging back and forth on the main top mount and gearbox mount which take the main weight of the unit ..
You said you never had the rear alignment adjusted? ... make sure the 2 short and 2 long horizontal tie rods have bushes in good condition before you have alignment done , if the car has done 120000 miles they are most likely to have play if they haven't been changed before .

spyda · Oct 28th, 2007, 09:59

Thanks, all points for consideration.

I guess when the Volvo chap told me the gearbox mount was split and in desparate need of changing he was spinning me a yarn then? I left that place thinking my engine and gearbox were about to fall out they way he was going on about it!

It is making a loud knock though, and although I thought the knock was coming from the Top RH engine mount, I'm now not so sure as it seems there can be so many other culprits!

I think I have to just take it steady over the next week and see what the guy says when he gets it up on the ramps.

I know it's going to cost, just hopefully nowhere near what Volvo want to charge!

kilou · Oct 28th, 2007, 22:53

Rear alignment can often be the cause of side pull. Check the trailing arm bushes, if they are shot you can have a pull to one or the other side. This is sometimes missed when doing an alignment on the car simply because rear alignement is static while the pull may develop only when there is a slight load difference between sides.

spyda · Oct 29th, 2007, 07:17

Thanks kilou I'll make sure they are checked too!

Diamond_Gee · Nov 4th, 2007, 12:15

Hey Spyda - i've got a similar problem....

I had to replace the wheels (one was damaged on the inside and I couldn't find a single replacement) and since then my steering's just been shocking!
I had the wheels balanced & fitted at Pro-Tyre and they did the tracking - I took it back a week later as it was pulling to one side, they re-did it but I noticed it was still the same but not too bad. After a while it got worse..
I have to hold my steering wheel to the right to go in a straight line...
At low speeds (crawling through early morning traffic) it feels like the car's bobbing up and down/side to side like it's wonky (if that makes sense)
Now my 5th gear's developed a problem whereby it it 'kicks' back when I accelerate - do this a couple of times and it jumps out into neutral.
I've been told my front engine mounts need doing and i'm guessing the bushes on my gearbox need replacing but other than that it's gonna have to wait until i'm off at the end of the month to take her in somewhere..

Let me know how you get on, would be interested to hear how you get yours sorted - Think I have several issues that need addressing on mine.

Oct 28th, 2007, 09:52	#13
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:32 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	Yes a clonk from the relavent side over bumps could be the lower ball joint/arm the engine mounts wont affect the car pulling to one side ....i'd leave those ( or that , ) for a rainy day ... the gearbox mount doesnt give trouble and the two on the lower beam are not really mounts at all they just stop the engine swinging back and forth on the main top mount and gearbox mount which take the main weight of the unit .. You said you never had the rear alignment adjusted? ... make sure the 2 short and 2 long horizontal tie rods have bushes in good condition before you have alignment done , if the car has done 120000 miles they are most likely to have play if they haven't been changed before . __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Nov 4th, 2007, 12:15	#17
Diamond_Gee New Member Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2008 00:49 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gloucester	Hey Spyda - i've got a similar problem.... I had to replace the wheels (one was damaged on the inside and I couldn't find a single replacement) and since then my steering's just been shocking! I had the wheels balanced & fitted at Pro-Tyre and they did the tracking - I took it back a week later as it was pulling to one side, they re-did it but I noticed it was still the same but not too bad. After a while it got worse.. I have to hold my steering wheel to the right to go in a straight line... At low speeds (crawling through early morning traffic) it feels like the car's bobbing up and down/side to side like it's wonky (if that makes sense) Now my 5th gear's developed a problem whereby it it 'kicks' back when I accelerate - do this a couple of times and it jumps out into neutral. I've been told my front engine mounts need doing and i'm guessing the bushes on my gearbox need replacing but other than that it's gonna have to wait until i'm off at the end of the month to take her in somewhere.. Let me know how you get on, would be interested to hear how you get yours sorted - Think I have several issues that need addressing on mine. __________________ '97 2.0cd Met Sapphire Black. 100k + and still driving like a dream!

Oct 28th, 2007, 09:59	#14
spyda Member Last Online: Jun 20th, 2009 23:53 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sheffield	Thanks, all points for consideration. I guess when the Volvo chap told me the gearbox mount was split and in desparate need of changing he was spinning me a yarn then? I left that place thinking my engine and gearbox were about to fall out they way he was going on about it! It is making a loud knock though, and although I thought the knock was coming from the Top RH engine mount, I'm now not so sure as it seems there can be so many other culprits! I think I have to just take it steady over the next week and see what the guy says when he gets it up on the ramps. I know it's going to cost, just hopefully nowhere near what Volvo want to charge!

Oct 28th, 2007, 22:53	#15
kilou Senior Member Last Online: Jun 21st, 2022 13:33 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lausanne	Rear alignment can often be the cause of side pull. Check the trailing arm bushes, if they are shot you can have a pull to one or the other side. This is sometimes missed when doing an alignment on the car simply because rear alignement is static while the pull may develop only when there is a slight load difference between sides.

Oct 29th, 2007, 07:17	#16
spyda Member Last Online: Jun 20th, 2009 23:53 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sheffield	Thanks kilou I'll make sure they are checked too!

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