Westfield SE pulling to one side HELP?

[retroracing]

Hi all,

So basically took my Westfield SE out for the first time properly at the weekend and its pulling to the left quite severely.

Its the first time out since I bought it and got it up and running.

Its in race trim with very hard spax coilovers on which probably dont help!

I have checked the following obvious things: brakes not binding front /rear, tyre pressures good, all track rods/ ball joints no play, wheel bearings no play, coilovers not siezed and set at the same adjustment

It is still drivable ok and doesnt fight through the steering, just if you let the wheel loose in your hand will vere off to the left.

Chassis shows no signs of damage and recently had a quick rack insatlled. Could it be a tracking issue if the rack was installed in a rush ??? Thanks Eddy

[spaximus]

Whereabouts in the Southwest are you? It could be tracking tyres or many things, but you need to have a basic gemetry check to see first. If you are near enough to Castle Combe, take it to Track developments and he will sort it out for you.

[retroracing]

Hi there, yep pretty close as i'm near devizes so can pop over there. Do you know if they work weekends as I work away in the week. Thanks for the info!

[ADEuk]

Count the number of turns lock to lock and then set rack exactly in the middle and see if the steering wheel points straight or not. If not then the steering wheel is out a spline and the alignment has been adjusted to try and bring it straight.

Or if you're really bored, have a go at stringing it?
http://www.miata.net/garage/alignment/

Edited by ADEuk on Monday 22 April 21:51

[retroracing]

thanks for the tip, will give that a try first, thanks!

[spaximus]

retroracing said:

Hi there, yep pretty close as i'm near devizes so can pop over there. Do you know if they work weekends as I work away in the week. Thanks for the info!

Pretty sure he does work weekends,but best give him a call.

[Tim.C]

Dave at Track Developments is usually there on a Saturday.

[moleman69]

I use Trackday developments every year to set up my westy. There aint much he don't know on suspension set up's, corner weights, tracking & ride height settings. So if you don't have much luck then give him a call. He does work saturdays.

[thescamper]

ADEuk said:

Count the number of turns lock to lock and then set rack exactly in the middle and see if the steering wheel points straight or not. If not then the steering wheel is out a spline and the alignment has been adjusted to try and bring it straight.

Or if you're really bored, have a go at stringing it?
http://www.miata.net/garage/alignment/

Edited by ADEuk on Monday 22 April 21:51

Why would the steering wheel being out a spline cause the car to pull in any direction?

[one eyed mick]

the wheel itself would not cause any thing but if one side of the rack adjment has been altered or one sde susp had impact damage it will cause a pull[not nec to that side and the wheel may be misaligned

[Greensleeves]

Tracking being out doesn't make a car pull to one side unless you have a self centring power steering on the car, which I doubt. Tracking towing out makes the car nervous and towing in makes it numb.

If it's pulling then there's definately something not lined up right. Your man with the gauges will be able to find it but he will need to check castor, camber, track and wheelbase to find out what it is.

If it was just tracking it would self centre and just your steering wheel would be out.