Car pulling

[Brankster]

I have my car going into an indy specialist tomorrow for a service and MOT. Just over a year ago after leaving the car with a leather specialist who sorted one of the seats I took the car home and immediately I could hear a rattling which turned out to be a broken spring. My local mechanic changed the spring and said changing just the one will be fine. Straight away the car seemed very sensitive to road camber. If im on a level surface the car will drive straight with the steering level. On the motorway, the car always pulls to the left and i have to steer slightly to the right to go straight. Last year at my service the independent Volvo mechanic took the car for a drive and said its fine. He never took it out for long though. He did do a hunter alignment first. It's starting to annoy me again as I know it can't be right. I have had an alignment done twice in just over a year. Also just had new tires and noticed on the old tyres the passenger side was wearing out quicker on the outer edge but drivers tyre was even. I took the car to a local car park which is level and the car drives perfect on this but just seems very sensitive to road camber. As i said car is going in tomorrow and is there anything i can get him to check? Could it be something to do with having one spring done?

[Dash300]

Originally Posted by Brankster

I have my car going into an indy specialist tomorrow for a service and MOT. Just over a year ago after leaving the car with a leather specialist who sorted one of the seats I took the car home and immediately I could hear a rattling which turned out to be a broken spring. My local mechanic changed the spring and said changing just the one will be fine. Straight away the car seemed very sensitive to road camber. If im on a level surface the car will drive straight with the steering level. On the motorway, the car always pulls to the left and i have to steer slightly to the right to go straight. Last year at my service the independent Volvo mechanic took the car for a drive and said its fine. He never took it out for long though. He did do a hunter alignment first. It's starting to annoy me again as I know it can't be right. I have had an alignment done twice in just over a year. Also just had new tires and noticed on the old tyres the passenger side was wearing out quicker on the outer edge but drivers tyre was even. I took the car to a local car park which is level and the car drives perfect on this but just seems very sensitive to road camber. As i said car is going in tomorrow and is there anything i can get him to check? Could it be something to do with having one spring done?

Whilst in no way an expert, my experience has always been that dynamic parts such as pads, discs, shocks and springs need to be balanced and should always be fitted as sets. Axle sets in many cases. This could well be your problem!

[Toprivetguns]

I've always done springs in pairs. Even slight variation in spring rigidity will cause some issues even perhaps what you are experiencing. The XC60 is a heavy vehicle as is the D5 engine.

Was it a genuine Volvo part fitted?

[Brankster]

Originally Posted by Toprivetguns

I've always done springs in pairs. Even slight variation in spring rigidity will cause some issues even perhaps what you are experiencing. The XC60 is a heavy vehicle as is the D5 engine.

Was it a genuine Volvo part fitted?

Just spoke to the mechanic. He didn't fit a Volvo spring unfortunately and I measured from the road to the wheel arch and there is a 10mm height difference. New spring has the drivers side 10mm higher so this must be the problem. Is my only option to replace both springs so i know they will be the same height??

[Zebster]

Your only sensible option is to replace both springs as a pair.

[Brankster]

Originally Posted by Zebster

Your only sensible option is to replace both springs as a pair.

Thought i would try something there and it seems to have made a massive difference I have inflated the tyres on the passenger side 5psi more than the drivers side and the car drives straight. I know i may get some uneven tyre wear but i took it on the motorway and it feels so much better. when i let the steering wheel go it stays straight rather than pulling to the left. I will be happy with this as we will be looking to trade the car in later this year.

[Zebster]

Originally Posted by Brankster

Thought i would try something there and it seems to have made a massive difference I have inflated the tyres on the passenger side 5psi more than the drivers side and the car drives straight. I know i may get some uneven tyre wear but i took it on the motorway and it feels so much better. when i let the steering wheel go it stays straight rather than pulling to the left. I will be happy with this as we will be looking to trade the car in later this year.

Really? You'd mask a potential deathtrap to save a few quid? Wow!

[Stephen2015]

Originally Posted by Zebster

Really? You'd mask a potential deathtrap to save a few quid? Wow!

Takes note, not to buy this car. Springs are cheap and easy to fit would rather have done it the correct way first saves all the flapping around.

[Brankster]

Originally Posted by Stephen2015

Takes note, not to buy this car. Springs are cheap and easy to fit would rather have done it the correct way first saves all the flapping around.

I don't think a few psi will make much difference. Ill get a quote on new springs while I'm in tomorrow and talk to the mechanic and see what he thinks. Ive been driving it for over a year with the pull so that is more dangerous than the tyres a few psi out i imagine. I asked the mechanic who done it if i should get two and he said one is fine. I would have got two if he advised me to.

[Brankster]

Originally Posted by Stephen2015

Takes note, not to buy this car. Springs are cheap and easy to fit would rather have done it the correct way first saves all the flapping around.

I had it in my head i would be looking at about £400 for changing the springs? What would the cost be around?