scantruck Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi, I have a 10 month old Volvo V70 D5 R Design AWD which pulls very slightly to the left (when this "drift" happens the steering wheel is perfectly straight). Therefore to drive straight ahead the steering wheel is slightly "right hand down" and has been since new. The "right hand down" effect on the steering is worse if I have a passenger in the car. Car has never been in an accident or even kerbed. Wheels are perfect as new. Tyres same - 9000 miles. Is this something you think you can cure? Or is it just a Volvo characteristic? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi ..... I did get your Email but never had a chance to reply..... so here goes. When driving straight with the steering wheel RHD are you having to resist any energy pulling left? Do you have ant adverse tyre wear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Hi ..... I did get your Email but never had a chance to reply..... so here goes. When driving straight with the steering wheel RHD are you having to resist any energy pulling left? Do you have ant adverse tyre wear? Not much (if any). It is slight but annoying. Even more annoying when it gets worse (more RHD required to steer straight) when a passenger is in the car. It is more of a drift than a pull which I know will be in part to do with road camber anyway. Maybe I'm just too fussy? But I've had an 07 S80 (same wheel/tyre size) which steered straight although that did have the adjustable 4C Chassis option. No adverse tyre wear at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Have the front tyres always been on the front during this problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Have the front tyres always been on the front during this problem? Yes. I've had this niggle from new. I've had two rear tyres due to punctures and they are the same P Zero Rosso all round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 The problem is the tyres ...... here's why. * There's no energy involved so it cannot be geometric * There's no tyre wear * The mileage is to low for it to be a suspension issue * The problem is aggravated with more load (passenger) To prove or deny my diagnosis all you need to do is have the front wheels/tyres moved side-to-side then simply drive the car and watch for any change. If the steering position moves the other way then have the wheels/tyres moved to the rear. You DO NOT need to change the tyres and they ARE NOT defective. Here's a topic on the issue here in wim> http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/ind...p?showtopic=165 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 The problem is the tyres ...... here's why. * There's no energy involved so it cannot be geometric * There's no tyre wear * The mileage is to low for it to be a suspension issue * The problem is aggravated with more load (passenger) To prove or deny my diagnosis all you need to do is have the front wheels/tyres moved side-to-side then simply drive the car and watch for any change. If the steering position moves the other way then have the wheels/tyres moved to the rear. You DO NOT need to change the tyres and they ARE NOT defective. Here's a topic on the issue here in wim> http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/ind...p?showtopic=165 I'll try that Tony - thanks. Really interseting article as well. However. Just to get this right. I should swap the fronts over only initially and try that? But I can't swap my tyres side to side easily as they are directional??? Or am I wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Are they P Zero Rosso Directionarly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Are they P Zero Rosso Directionarly? Just checked. P Zero Rosso 245/40/ZR 18 97Y It says "OUTER" on the tyre so I assume that means I can switch OK as the tyre is fitted to the outside of the wheel - any tyre in any position possible! So it's a front swap over side to side first and if that works put the rears on the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Are they P Zero Rosso Directionarly? Just checked. P Zero Rosso 245/40/ZR 18 97Y It says "OUTER" on the tyre so I assume that means I can switch OK as the tyre is fitted to the outside of the wheel - any tyre in any position possible! So it's a front swap over side to side first and if that works put the rears on the front? Yep..... Move them side-to-side and monitor any change, if there is any then we have hit the nail on the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Are they P Zero Rosso Directionarly? Just checked. P Zero Rosso 245/40/ZR 18 97Y It says "OUTER" on the tyre so I assume that means I can switch OK as the tyre is fitted to the outside of the wheel - any tyre in any position possible! So it's a front swap over side to side first and if that works put the rears on the front? Yep..... Move them side-to-side and monitor any change, if there is any then we have hit the nail on the head. Thanks so much. I'll let you know what happens next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 Are they P Zero Rosso Directionarly? Just checked. P Zero Rosso 245/40/ZR 18 97Y It says "OUTER" on the tyre so I assume that means I can switch OK as the tyre is fitted to the outside of the wheel - any tyre in any position possible! So it's a front swap over side to side first and if that works put the rears on the front? Yep..... Move them side-to-side and monitor any change, if there is any then we have hit the nail on the head. Thanks so much. I'll let you know what happens next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Are they P Zero Rosso Directionarly? Just checked. P Zero Rosso 245/40/ZR 18 97Y It says "OUTER" on the tyre so I assume that means I can switch OK as the tyre is fitted to the outside of the wheel - any tyre in any position possible! So it's a front swap over side to side first and if that works put the rears on the front? Yep..... Move them side-to-side and monitor any change, if there is any then we have hit the nail on the head. Thanks so much. I'll let you know what happens next week. Tony - swapped fronts side to side first and road tested. A little better but didn't change it enormously. So as there was at least a slight change I swapped fronts to backs etc and it's perfect. However - when I roadtested there was a vibration through the steering wheel. I seemed to be able to drive through it (seems worse at different speeds, better at others) so nipped in to garage to have all four wheels balanced. But that vibration has not gone away! Any ideas? Surely even Kwik Fit can balance wheels correctly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Could you be more specific regarding how bad it is at different speeds ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Could you be more specific regarding how bad it is at different speeds ? Starts at about 60 MPH you seem to drive through it a little then it returns at a higher speed. It doesn't get noticably worse as speed increases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 But it doesn't do it below that speed ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 But it doesn't do it below that speed ? I've driven it again. Starts at 45-48 MPH but doesn't do it below that speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 But it doesn't do it below that speed ? I've driven it again. Starts at 45-48 MPH but doesn't do it below that speed. I'm pleased i was right about the tyres .... As for the vibration it must be the balance. Did KF mount the wheels on the balancer by using the wheels centre hole for the dye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 But it doesn't do it below that speed ? I've driven it again. Starts at 45-48 MPH but doesn't do it below that speed. I'm pleased i was right about the tyres .... As for the vibration it must be the balance. Did KF mount the wheels on the balancer by using the wheels centre hole for the dye? God knows. I'll ring you in the morning to see if I can pop in and get you to balance. I know it's done right then at least. Worth the journey to get it done right. I think you're right - must be balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 But it doesn't do it below that speed ? I've driven it again. Starts at 45-48 MPH but doesn't do it below that speed. I'm pleased i was right about the tyres .... As for the vibration it must be the balance. Did KF mount the wheels on the balancer by using the wheels centre hole for the dye? God knows. I'll ring you in the morning to see if I can pop in and get you to balance. I know it's done right then at least. Worth the journey to get it done right. I think you're right - must be balance. Historically tyre problems is below 30mph, chassis problems above 60mph so i'm positive the issue is a balance frequency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scantruck Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 But it doesn't do it below that speed ? I've driven it again. Starts at 45-48 MPH but doesn't do it below that speed. I'm pleased i was right about the tyres .... As for the vibration it must be the balance. Did KF mount the wheels on the balancer by using the wheels centre hole for the dye? God knows. I'll ring you in the morning to see if I can pop in and get you to balance. I know it's done right then at least. Worth the journey to get it done right. I think you're right - must be balance. Historically tyre problems is below 30mph, chassis problems above 60mph so i'm positive the issue is a balance frequency. Tony - I came down today and one of your guys balanced all four wheels - it's now perfect. Gave me a print out and explained everything. Just shows how poor the KF's of this world are... The job wasn't done properly by them. I was VERY impressed by your facilities and customer areas and importantly by the staff. Thanks for all your help. I'm sure I'll be back someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'm really pleased we managed to sort this for you.... Suppose it's just a case of knowing your industry..... Sorry i missed you but i knew the team would look after you 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.