Pulling To The Left.. Help!

[DOOM]

Hey guys,

I have a series 2 R33 GTST that is annoying me..

Its 99% standard, just had all 4 discs machined and all 4 corners had new brake pads.

I drove the car for about 1000kms and it ran perfectly, then out of nowhere it started pulling hard to the left.

I had it checked out by a mechanic and discovered my caster bushes were buggered, so I had them replaced and got a four wheel alignment done. The car still pulls to the left just as bad.the person that did the wheel alignment said it might have a bent strutt.

I doubted this as the car started pulling out of nowhere on the freeway without hitting anything.

When braking real hard the car is perfectly straight and pulls up perfectly, but once the brakes are let off it will pull to the left again.

Any ideas or common faults? I was thinking a brake might not be fully releasing?

Please post any ideas

[GTSBoy]

Just to be clear, is this pulling to the left with no brakes on, or with moderate braking?

[DOOM]

Just to be clear, is this pulling to the left with no brakes on, or with moderate braking?

Sorry if that was confusing..

Does pull to the left without braking

Does NOT pull to the left with moderate braking.

Thanks

[GTSBoy]

OK, so obvious causes are tie rod ends, rack ends, and ball joints. Any one of these (if badly worn or damaged) can sit nicely in a given position whilst being wheel aligned, then shift to another position once the car is under way and has dynamic loads on the suspension. The same can be true of upper and lower control arm bushes.

It may also be at the back. If you have a stuffed HICAS tie rod end it will steer the car, although that usually doesn't feel like the front end pushing so much as just being strangely unstraight driving.

[R31Nismoid]

It also could have been a shit alignment initially.

Unfortunately for a simple thing, it often is done incorrectly. I've had some shocking alignments over years from reputable places even after I've told them what spec to align to;

1. They think they know better and don't do what you ask

2. Their equipment isn't calibrated correctly so it might be right on "paper", but the car is actually out.

You can tell the car isn't "right" by just driving 500m down the street. So that is also something else to consider as well.

[GTR-N1]

Does pull to the left without braking

Does NOT pull to the left with moderate braking.

Sorry, but I have to ask...

LR tyre pressure is low?...

LR tyre got a leak? or...

LR rim has a hairline crack?

[Hank Scorpio]

Did you replace your caster bushes with adjustable items?

What are your wheel alignment specs?

Are your tyres directional and if not have you done a left to right swap?

[DOOM]

Thanks for your ideas guys, you all raised valid points.. Tyre pressures all good, not sure on alignment specs, just standard I guess.

Non adjustable caster bushes fitted.

I have booked it into a different mechanic next week, so il be sure to update you after that.

Thanks again

[simpletool]

It MIGHT also be the set-up itself

0 toe with equal caster (left/right) and lower offset wheels will also feel like it is pulling left pretty hard on our cambered roads.

ie. A 0 toe car with equal caster and flush wheel will follow the grooves in the road VERY closely. If you let the wheel go on almost any slightly cambered road will cause a obvious steer to the side of the road.

Normally the caster is split left/right to compensate somewhat.

Obviously this doesn't explain the sudden onset. For that I am thinking tyre wear.

Edited August 9, 2012 by simpletool

[DOOM]

Turns out that it was the front left tyre. Was holding pressure but the inner wall had begun to collapse and was causing more drag, hence pulling to the left.

Thanks for your comments guys

[GTR-N1]

Puzzle solved - all's good