Mk2 pulling to the right...

[JimVVC]

Had my mk2 1.8 S for a week now and upon driving it hard it pulls strongly to the right, lifting off or changing gear results in a snatch to the left. I've had the tracking looked at - no probs there and no accident signs either. Is this a common problem with bushes or the like or have I got a more serious problem?

[clarkmagpie]

My parents mk2 pulled severly to the right.
They had just got use to it.
Every time i took it out i felt unsafe, thought it was trying to drag me into the nearest hedge.

Checked tyre pressures, found them way out.
Helped the problem but hasnt solved it.

Maybe a starting point to look at though?

[JimVVC]

yes that was my initil thought they were way out but it hasnt improved things much

[MX-5 Lazza]

What do you mean by tracking? If it's just the cheap front wheel tracking then it's a complete waste of money/time. You need to get a full alignment done somewhere they have a full 4 wheel laser alignment machine. It should takd about an hour and cost upwards of £80.

[JimVVC]

Yes it was just a standard tracking job rather than a full alignment.

One thing that could be contributing is that the 2 rear tyres are different brands. I may get the wishbone bushes etc checked out too, get some coilovers then sort the proper alignment out after - then hopefully this should sort it!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Like I said, standard front wheel tracking is useless on an MX5 and won't solve anything, in fact it can cause more problems! Get it to a proper alignment place and the car will be transformed.

[JimVVC]

Thanks Lazza, have ordered some coilovers for it - may aswell kill 2 birds with one stone

[MX-5 Lazza]

What coil-overs are you going for?

I just want to clarify what I said; MX5 geometry allows adjustment to:

FRONT - Toe, Camber & Caster.
REAR - Toe & Camber.

A good alignment garage with a full 4-wheel laser alignment too can check & adjust all these angles. They can also make sure that the front wheels are in correct alignment with the rear wheels. If they know what they are doing, they can even tell from the readings if you have any other problems with the bushes, suspension, wishbones etc.

A cheap "tracking" adjusts only the front toe but not in relation to the rear wheels or the chassis.

[JimVVC]

I've just gone for some cheap Rokkor ones off ebay - £117 delivered, thanks for the info on the set up - I may be taking it to Wheels In Motion once the suspension is on.

[Odie]

Can I suggest checking your tyres, my tyres are coming ot the end of their life and you can feel the car pulling to the side under heavy breaking and acceleration.

[sonarbell]

The rear wishbones have different hardness bushes at the front and rear mounting points. So maybe there is some softening of one or the other..

[Odie]

I had my cars wheel alignment done over the weekend with a laser thingy.

Just to put the alignment in contexts on a standard car the front wheel alignment is usually only adjusted for toe and is done by adjusting the track rod ends.

On the mx5 the wishbones positions are also adjusted both front and rear using 2 bolts on each wishbone to line them up (and consiquently the wheels) using the laser, the laser alignment computer sits "live" while the adjustments are done so the mechanic (and you) can see exactly whats going on as he adjusts it.


I personally didnt realise how much of a difference it would make but the car feels completely neutral (as its supposed to be) now, the suspension feels more solid, it rolls less, it feels more confident under braking (their is no pull to the side under braking), turn in feels tighter and more solid, its spinning the rear wheels less/putting the power to the road better, the backend isnt sliding out as often when pushed, ive yet to find the new limit of grip (ive not been out for a long drive since getting it done).

Best money ive spent on the car I think.

I was thinking of posting a scan of the print out but I wasnt sure if WIM (or the garage that I went to, who had WIM's settings) would mind, so I havent plus people probably arent that interested in seeing the sheet anyway.

[JimVVC]

Hi Odie,

I think I will definately get the alignment sorted and all the bushes checked over. How much did it cost if you don't mind me asking? Best I've found so far is £95 + VAT


Coilovers going on today

Edited by JimVVC on Monday 14th June 16:51

[MX-5 Lazza]

Just get yourself down to Wheels in Motion. You aren't that far away.

[Odie]

JimVVC said:

Hi Odie,

I think I will definately get the alignment sorted and all the bushes checked over. How much did it cost if you don't mind me asking? Best I've found so far is £95 + VAT


Coilovers going on today

Edited by JimVVC on Monday 14th June 16:51

86quid 50 for the alignment check and the rest is for labour of about an hour to adjust everything. I went to nigel lang in bolton WIMs northern guy.

ETA -

Edited by Odie on Monday 14th June 21:48

Edited by Odie on Monday 14th June 21:49

[JimVVC]

Update on this - Swapped the standard worn suspension for the Rokkor coilovers and have fitted some 16" Rotas with Toyo T1Rs and it now drives straight

I need to increase the ride height as it's settled and although there's no tyre/arch interference it wouldn't clear a speedbump. The front lower wishbone bushes are showing their age as are the rear ones that are closest to the hubs (not sure what these ones are called) so these will be replaced before getting the alignment sorted. I don't plan on fully polybushing the car so would it be best to just replace with standard bushes rather than having a mix?

Feels 100x better already nearly as much fun as my old Elise.

Thanks for the advice so far.