Car pulling to left under acceleration?

[ProjectZS]

Centurion07 said:

If you didn't have the wheels dead straight when tightening the nut on top of the strut on a MK2 Escort, it was possible to "wind" the rubber top mount into a twisted position meaning the steering pulled.

Could you have inadvertently tightened something up when it wasn't in the correct position IYSWIM?

Possibly, I haven't touched the strut though, just the subframe and lower arm. I had lowered the coilovers before hand which is how I found the arm was bad in the first place but it still wasn't exhibiting this problem. It might be to do with the fact I did a quick "diy" alignment just to make sure I wasn't going to goose the tires before a proper alignment. One thing I have read since fitting the arm though, is that the bolts are stretch bolts and should be replaced and also it's best practise to actually torque them when the car is on the ground, both of which I haven't done because I didn't know. Hopefully top mounts and alignment can sort it, seems to be one of them hard to diagnose things.

[Hol]

Do you have a smart phone?
If so, you can download a clinometer for free and check the camber on both sides, to make sure they are the same.

Have you tried turning the steering lock to lock, without the engine running (no power steering assistance) to hear/feel if anything is binding?

If you park the car tight against a straight kerb, with the steering straight ahead does either front or rear wheel look off straight?

[ProjectZS]

Hol said:

Do you have a smart phone?
If so, you can download a clinometer for free and check the camber on both sides, to make sure they are the same.

Have you tried turning the steering lock to lock, without the engine running (no power steering assistance) to hear/feel if anything is binding?

If you park the car tight against a straight kerb, with the steering straight ahead does either front or rear wheel look off straight?

Yeah, I asked a question on the forum yesterday to see if anyone had any suggestions to this noise I'm hearing when turning lock to lock. I think it's the top mounts but it's done it since I bought the car and hasn't caused what I'm experiencing now :/ I'll upload it shortly

[ProjectZS]

This is the noise/knocking I'm getting, whether this has anything to do with the steering Issue I'm having I don't know, it's done it since I've owned the car

http://s938.photobucket.com/user/JoeyBoyden/media/...

[ADEuk]

ProjectZS said:

This is the noise/knocking I'm getting, whether this has anything to do with the steering Issue I'm having I don't know, it's done it since I've owned the car

http://s938.photobucket.com/user/JoeyBoyden/media/...

That sounds like the top mounts making the spring stick and 'twang' as the strut turns

For the steering to be that much out after just changing the arm I wonder if you have the wrong part. They are different for power steering or no power steering. Can you check part number on euro car parts website?

[Hol]

ADEuk said:

ProjectZS said:

This is the noise/knocking I'm getting, whether this has anything to do with the steering Issue I'm having I don't know, it's done it since I've owned the car

http://s938.photobucket.com/user/JoeyBoyden/media/...

That sounds like the top mounts making the spring stick and 'twang' as the strut turns

For the steering to be that much out after just changing the arm I wonder if you have the wrong part. They are different for power steering or no power steering. Can you check part number on euro car parts website?

Or the old part you took off, if you have not binned it yet?

[ProjectZS]

The part is supposedly correct as at first I ordered a non power steering part, then they told me in fact I'd ordered the wrong one so sent me the right one. I still have the old arm and they look exactly the same, I put the old one on top of the new and they are identical. Think the top mounts are bad but I think I'll replace the other arm aswell if that's best?

[Centurion07]

ADEuk said:

That sounds like the top mounts making the spring stick and 'twang' as the strut turns

Yep. I'd be amazed if that noise turns out to be something else. Sounds just like the problem I mentioned up the page, about tightening the top mounts when the wheels aren't straight. No idea how changing the lower arm would cause that though.

[nottyash]

I had this on a Honda S2000.
I checked tracking, tyre pressures and couldn't find what caused it to pull one way on acceleration and the other when I backed off. it actually felt dangerous!
The rear tyres were just fitted by the previous owner, a name I had not heard of but he had paid £100 a tyre so I thought they would be OK.
When the circumference was measured one was an inch bigger, despite being the same tyre make\ size etc.
I put 2 new Hankook Evo on it, and it sorted it.