Car pulling to the left

[cat@10]

My wifes car (Toyota Carolla 2003) pulls to the left, the tracking has been checked and is OK. When driving in a straight line the steering wheel is slightly tilted to the right, if you let go it will straighten up and the car will pull. Tyres are inflated correctly. What could be causing this?

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Camber?

some cars affected more than others?!

Either that or a sticky brake calliper!

Edited by Petrolhead_Rich on Sunday 21st November 21:07

[cat@10]

I don't think it's the camber of road, I'll check the brakes. Any other suggestions?

[bigdods]

Tracking done by a rapid fit place by any chance ? Tracking on its own wont help, what you need is a full Geometry check by someone who knows what they are doing. I only let these guys touch my Omega and Golf http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/ They arent near you but they have franchises all over the place.

If its just geometry they will fix it for you. If its something else they will be able to diagnose it and fix it or recommend the fix.

ETA Just re-read your post, if the steering wheel is tilted then its very likely you have a worn or failed suspension component. Could be as simple and cheap as a bush or as expensive as a defective damper.

Edited by bigdods on Sunday 21st November 21:22

[Dog Star]

I once had a defective tyre do this to me. Spent a fortune on tracking, shocks, springs etc and nothing worked. Then it came to new tyres and voila! perfect steering.

That was a "matched pair" of brand new Firestones that was at fault.

If all else fails try swapping them round or front - back.

[hardcorehobbit]

Dog Star said:

I once had a defective tyre do this to me. Spent a fortune on tracking, shocks, springs etc and nothing worked. Then it came to new tyres and voila! perfect steering.

That was a "matched pair" of brand new Firestones that was at fault.

If all else fails try swapping them round or front - back.

I agree with this. My Nissan pulled to the left horribly. Changed the two front tyres and suddenly, straight line again. I also had to keep the wheel tilted to the right slightly to go in a straight line.

[thetwistys]

top/bottom ball joint possibly. Jack it up at the front, hold wheel at top and bottom, feel for 'play' across the vertical axis, if you feel it wiggling it could be knackered rubber bushes on the joints. Not too expensive to sort on most cars :-)

[GreigM]

hardcorehobbit said:

Dog Star said:

I once had a defective tyre do this to me. Spent a fortune on tracking, shocks, springs etc and nothing worked. Then it came to new tyres and voila! perfect steering.

That was a "matched pair" of brand new Firestones that was at fault.

If all else fails try swapping them round or front - back.

I agree with this. My Nissan pulled to the left horribly. Changed the two front tyres and suddenly, straight line again. I also had to keep the wheel tilted to the right slightly to go in a straight line.

same for me - swap the front tyres

[Crafty_]

Worn track rod end ?
Worn bush ?
Bent lower arm ?
Could even be a broken spring ?

As others have said swap the tyres around.

[Deva Link]

Try proper 4 wheel alignment, rather than just tracking. They'll cntre the wheel before they start.

Use the centre locator here: http://www.alignmycar.co.uk

ETA - don't know exactly where you are, but http://www.buckleytyre.co.uk/align.html have a good reputation.

Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 21st November 22:21

[pacman1]

I'd go with swapping the tyres first.
However, you have it, could the power steering system be causing this?

[cat@10]

Thank you all for your replys. I should get this issue sorted with this advice.

[shalmaneser]

Tracking hasn't been done right. Get an alignment done.