Idiotic question about strut braces

[Garlick]

Yesterday I fitted a front strut brace to the MX5 in an attempt to tighten it up a bit. My commute home was enough to tell me that it has done a great job, and I'm pleased with the results, but there is one issue...

If I release the steering wheel the car ever so slightly veers to the left, not at all violently, but it tracks straight for a bit then gently steers left at a very gradual rate.

I'm assuming it's brace related as it started after fitment, the question is why? Is it simply the fact that the car is now straight and true so the wheels need re-aligning or could it be something else?

Thanks

[Bill]

I guess it's possible you've just bent the rusty old MX5 by tightly bolting a nice solid bar to it

[Garlick]

Well, I did wonder...

[Bill]

It's also possible that by tightening the shell you've made the suspension work harder which has shown up a minor failing. If you tightened it on level ground I'd just get the tracking sorted.

[IroningMan]

'Three wheels on my wagon...'

[Garlick]

Thanks chaps, I might remove and refit making sure we're absolutely level just to make sure.

[NotDave]

200SX reacted similar, but then it was rusty 1996 sponge..... So probably a similar effect.

As others have said, loosen off and re-tighten on firm ground, and re track

[Bill]

It was probably so wobbly before that you couldn't take your hands of the wheel for long enough to find it tracked with the camber

[Bear Phils]

Did you use a torque wrench to tighten it so all the bolts were even? They may be uneven and could result in your problem.

[GAjon]

Could just be more sensitive to following the road camber now it's stiffened up.

[Garlick]

Bear Phils said:

Did you use a torque wrench to tighten it so all the bolts were even? They may be uneven and could result in your problem.

Another good suggestion as I didn't, just used a socket ratchet.

[HustleRussell]

GAjon said:

Could just be more sensitive to following the road camber now it's stiffened up.

This is my thinking too, Although it's obviously worth checking tyre pressures and having a geometry check/adjust done if in doubt- it probably needs it anyway.

[JamesHayward]

We've just adjusted the strut brace so might help but my suspicion is that the tracking is out and the brace has just highlighted that.

Time will tell.