Steering to the left of its own accord - Progress?

[spyda]

I have posted about this before but just thought I would give an update as we MAY be making progress.

When I let go of the wheel, the car steers to the left and I can see the steering wheel turn. In normal driving I am always fighting to keep the car in a straight line. The tracking has been done and is spot on.

The last garage I took the car to has noticed that the wheel in the n/s/f is actually set back some 10mm in comparison to the wheel on the o/s/f.

This was measured by the gap from the rear of the front wheel to the lowest point on the wheel arch (in a straight line). When I got home I thought the discrepancy could be due to the differing tyres on each side so I took another measurement. This time from the rim of the wheel to the lowes point on the wheel arch and sure enough there is a 10mm difference.

So, with the wheel being set back, I can ony assume that something somewhere is bent and this is the cause of the pulling. Everything under the car looks straight to the naked eye but I have recently had the o/s control arm and ball joint replaced (without changing the n/s).

[spaceace]

good update. sounds like you could do with getting it on a jig?

[ctsracing]

I'd agree about getting it on a jig if you can! At least then you can check the chassis for any discrepancies and (hopefully) narrow down the culprit of what it could be!

Might not be one side to far back, but the other to far forward? Have you seen any others to measure from?

[Mister T]

Spyda,
If that is the case then the castor must be way off , have a dealer check the part numbers for the lower A arm there appears to be several numbers for the left but not for the right .
Mister T.

[spyda]

I haven't had it on a jig but it would take a hell of a clout to bend the chassis I would have thought. I haven't measurd against any others for distance, only to confirm it should be the same on either side.

Got it booked in for a full 4 wheel alignment check at the weekend - the one with all the computerised read outs and everything - hopefully that should show me where it's not lining up.

Will report back when I have some results from that.

[jonny57]

Do you know whether it has ever been in a prang?

[renaulthater]

no need to put it on a jig (YET) first thing i would do is to have it 4 wheel aligned this will show if any thing is out suspension wise, then take it from there.

[bb54]

hi, first thing id check is your lower suspension arm on the side that the wheel
isnt sitting properly in the arch, prob left side.
pop the wheel off and check the arm to subframe bolt flanges are at 90 degrees to the subframe, as this is the weak spot and bends in a heavy impact.
could check the bushes also but id have thought youd have noticed clonking or grinding if they were bad enough to cause your prob.

wayne

[spyda]

It has been in a prang yes, but only a relatively minor one and it was some time ago now. I am certain I would have noticed this pulling as soon as I got it back from the repair shop had it been a result of the accident and not been fixed properly.

A few people have looked at it now and nobody has mentioned the subframe bolt flanges - bb54, would any damage to these be obvious or would it require very close inspection?

I am hoping the four wheel alignment check will throw something up ... but hopefully nothing too expensive. I've already thrown about £500 at this car in the last couple of months and it's due for taxing soon!

Thanks all for your comments so far ...

[bb54]

hi, just noticed its a s/v 40.
im not familiar with the lower arm to subframe fixing points on these cars but if a few people have inspected the vehicle im sure someone would have noticed if the arm to frame fixing points were damaged or if the arms were bent.

wayne