softmint Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 Hi, I've had my Mondeo inspected and aligned by 3 different garages but the car is still pulling left. It's not road camber or crown (tried flat roads and driving on both sides) and new, quality, tyres haven't fixed it. The pull gets worse with increasing speed and a constant steering wheel displacement is needed to keep straight on the motorway for example. I'm going to take it back to the last garage that aligned it (28 day guarantee apparently) and if they can't fix it I'm coming to see you Tony! Anyone got any ideas in the mean time? I've linked to the 'after' geometry print out. After: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B522C4AfhENceG5tQmdsenI5TlU/edit?usp=sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 Sounds like wishbone bushes need replacing to me, these been checked? What tyres you got and tread pattern? You tried swapping the front wheels see if the pull goes the other way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 The geometry report is fine so it's not that.....First thing to do is move the front tyres side-to-side to be sure the pull is not pneumatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softmint Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Thanks for the help, I had new tyres fitted about 2 months ago due to heavy wear on the inside edges of both rear tyres. Because of the wear and some light pull to the left I had the suspension inspected by a Ford specialist and a 4-wheel alignment done. The specialist didn't find anything wrong but neither did they cure the pull. Clearly the tyres are too new to see if the wear issues have been resolved. I've tried switching tyres front to back and side to side (although they're assy tyres). The tyres are brand new Dunlop BluResponse so I hope its not them. I've just got back from the garage and they have had another look. Guess what - they've made it worse! Now it still pulls left but the steering wheel is displaced about 20 degrees right! Any way I've had enough of them and I've booked an appointment at your place today at 3pm Tony so hopefully you can shed some light on it. I've linked to the new geo print which now shows (only 200 miles after the last one and no pot hole / kerb / other damage) that the front right caster is miles out. I can't believe that this has changed so I really doubt that they know what they are doing. After 2: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B522C4AfhENcUi1vUTBTOWlzVDA/edit?usp=sharing Thanks again for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 That's abit random with the front castor as it's not even adjustable. You sure nothing is bent? The rear tyre wear is a common problem on the MK3 estate, do you have the 18's fitted? If the geo is ok once you seen Tony and the tyres are fine my money is still on the wishbone bushes, even if they look ok and have been checked. You say it pulls left when accelerating, does it go the other way when you lift off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softmint Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Rich, I agree about the caster which is why I think they don't know how to use the machine or they're just gash. AFAIK nothing is bent and it was checked over but who knows if they just didn't spot something. I've read that the tyre wear is common so if it carries on I'll just make sure I rotate front to back to try and even it out. The car is a standard 07 Zetec 2.0 petrol auto estate running 205/55R16s. It doesn't pull any better or worse during accel or braking but the pull gets worse as speed increases. I'm pretty keen to get it sorted as I'm driving 10 hours down to France with the family on holiday in a month or two and it's really going to p**s me off! Thanks for the advice - I'll ask them to look at the bushes this afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 It's a strange one with the castor to vary that much in 200 miles, have to see what Tony can find. If the car is actually pulling rather than drifting to the left that should rule out tyres as they would cause the latter. I think it's a bush(es) somewhere that's worn so when you accelerate it's forcing the car to go left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softmint Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Well I saw Tony this afternoon and he more than lived up to his reputation. There wasn't too much in the way of adjustment required but true to form he's fixed it! Car now runs straight and the messed up steering wheel position has been corrected. Very happy with the service so thanks to WIM and Tony for sorting everything out especially the same day service. Thanks also to Rich for taking the time to help diagnose what might be at fault - you were right about the wishbone. The off-side wishbone is very slightly bent backwards but car can still be aligned so i'll leave replacement until another time... Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Your welcome..... The steering position was a mile off, so the other company let slip big time, ever more so since it was under complaint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Glad it's sorted now. Was it the wishbone causing the deep castor angle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyR Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Tony/WIM save the day! Not that i'm surprised, does anyone ever come away from WIM less than happy?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Glad it's sorted now. Was it the wishbone causing the deep castor angle? Yes it looks that way with 13' setback and 14' difference in the wheelbase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted July 14, 2021 Report Share Posted July 14, 2021 Hello Everyone Its 8 years later but i thought id try my luck. I had exactly the same problem. The last guy that did the front tow made it even worse. I had wishbone change and full front suspension so It must be same. Tony, do you still do this? I would be interested in coming up to you, I live in Colchester so a little far, but for the right thing i would love to do this. My rear adjuster bolts are a bit rusty, but i had been spraying corrosion penetration fluid and thinking to order more bolts too. CHEERS!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted July 14, 2021 Report Share Posted July 14, 2021 On 10/06/2013 at 10:34, Rich said: It's a strange one with the castor to vary that much in 200 miles, have to see what Tony can find. If the car is actually pulling rather than drifting to the left that should rule out tyres as they would cause the latter. I think it's a bush(es) somewhere that's worn so when you accelerate it's forcing the car to go left. On 10/06/2013 at 17:35, softmint said: Well I saw Tony this afternoon and he more than lived up to his reputation. There wasn't too much in the way of adjustment required but true to form he's fixed it! Car now runs straight and the messed up steering wheel position has been corrected. Very happy with the service so thanks to WIM and Tony for sorting everything out especially the same day service. Thanks also to Rich for taking the time to help diagnose what might be at fault - you were right about the wishbone. The off-side wishbone is very slightly bent backwards but car can still be aligned so i'll leave replacement until another time... Thanks. just tagging you as i did not do this in the previous post and not sure if you see my reply or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted July 15, 2021 Report Share Posted July 15, 2021 Is it still puling... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted July 21, 2021 Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 On 15/07/2021 at 11:24, Tony said: Is it still puling... Hey Tony, Yeh it still is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted August 24, 2021 Report Share Posted August 24, 2021 On 15/07/2021 at 11:24, Tony said: Is it still puling... i suspect this could be because the left ball joint was broken, which I have no replaced and the left tie rod end had also been replaced. so left and right side have now got all new parts fitted, (the only thing not yet changed are the drop links) I am taking the car for a wheel alignment to see what happens. I suspect there could be the problem with steering rack, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 24, 2021 Report Share Posted August 24, 2021 Are you losing power steering fluid. The pull does it have energy you have to resist, meaning the steering position is down to the right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted August 26, 2021 Report Share Posted August 26, 2021 On 24/08/2021 at 09:43, Tony said: Are you losing power steering fluid. The pull does it have energy you have to resist, meaning the steering position is down to the right? Yes normally. The car used to loose the fluid due to a bad clamp but its sorted and no longer loosing Yes i have to put slight force to keep it straight Ps sorry for the late reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 27, 2021 Report Share Posted August 27, 2021 What i would really like to see is one of the printout's.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted August 27, 2021 Report Share Posted August 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Tony said: What i would really like to see is one of the printout's.... that was done a little while ago and since then I have new right control arm and both track rod ends. I had an allignemnt done yesterday but the guy didnt pump up the tyre and so its not really even and still pulls. I am going to give them a ring and say, but Its not that bad and i will leave until i see what you have to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted August 27, 2021 Report Share Posted August 27, 2021 Sorry, the previous photo is before alignment, this one is after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 28, 2021 Report Share Posted August 28, 2021 Those geometry numbers are fine. Time to move on .. Have the front wheels/ tyres been moved side-to-side ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeemo Posted August 28, 2021 Report Share Posted August 28, 2021 I dont understand what your question means Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted August 28, 2021 Report Share Posted August 28, 2021 Swap wheels and tyres on front around to see if the pull changes side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.