Pulling to one side

[pettaw]

If you've got a worn edge on one tyre, then I would suspect the wheel that it was on has drifted, quite possibly because of something bent.

When the tracking was out on mine, I had worn edges on both of my front tyres. I had the same on BOTH of my 360s when I got them, some numpty had tracked the front wheels parallel, like a FWD car, rather than with a slight toe-in, I had no pull though, just no feeling in the steering. If I hadn't had it checked I would have gone through another set of front tyres within a year, so take note people.

Unless its miles out it shouldn't cause a pull. That's more likely to be uneven castor caused by a bent or worn something.

17.50 is waaay too cheap for a 4 wheel alignment. I would expect to pay at least 30 quid. Take it to where grandad gets his done. He always seemed to be impressed.

[germ]

FOGGY! just had a thought it was you that said your wheel bearings needed doing?? on are ford fiesta it made the car pull to one side if there bad GET IT SORTED! as its Very Dangerous.



Cheers
will

[stealthstylz]

One wheel bearing would have to be dragging loads to make the car steer that sharply, and you'd hear it if it was that bad.

Matt

[foggyjames]

I took it to ATS today, who did Ryan's car spot-on after we changed the rack. They confirmed that the tracking was correct. The chap suggested that a bent suspension component would send the tracking out, but a non-observant operator would re-track it, and the car wouldn't pull...it'd just not handle very well However, they did point out that it looks like the tyre place filled the tyres with nitrogen.....latest craze, it seems, but it stops you checking the pressure or inflating them (correctly) yourself....or so the guy at ATS said. To be fair to ATS, I've had nothing but good service from them over the years.

The front wheel bearing have been droning for about 18 months, but it took me a while to get hold of a set of bearings, and I've been too lazy ever since. To be fair, the car has done 2k miles at the most since then. I'm planning to do them before the BKV.

I guess it's possible I've got a sticking caliper or wheel cylinder...

They did a spot-on job for £17.50 on Nessy...and remember that was with 4 tyres, so most likely heavily subsidised. I know Ryan paid a fair bit at ATS to get his tracked, and I bet these guys match each other's prices pretty carefully.

cheers

James

[petefarrell360]

Yeah, I noticed the nitrogen craze. It has it's advantages in certain circumstances, but for the public, it's none too clever as you say, making checking and topping up a PITA.

I got four new tyres for my 360 in Feb, and had the car tracking done, which was done in the old school fashion of hanging the gauge on the rear wheels, with the light sent from the front wheels back, and the steering wheel was clamped. Sadly, the bloke was the manager or supervisor or something, and wasn't as helpful or friendly as the usual blokes, and although he was doing his job and doing things by the book, made me wait inside the reception. I really wanted to see what was going on.......

Anyway, I did my previous set of directional tyres in in no time, as the front n/s wheel was scrubbing the outer edge badly. By the time I had noticed it was too late, so swapped the fronts to the back, and without taking them off the rims to swap sides it was as much as I could do. So on this set I didn't want it to happen again. Had a good look the other day, my front tyre is going again! There are some suspension problems I am aware of, but I can't see it being the over all cause, but I need to take the struts off soon, so I will swap the wheels front to back for now, then pay the £40 or so to have it done on a 4 wheel laser job by someone who knows what they are doing, as sadly, equipment is only ever as good as the operator.

If a car pulls slightly, it should only be minor and to the left, in the idea of preventing a head on collision if concentration is lost briefly.

Pete