Help! Pulling to the left

[Rixtar]

I have recently got a new Surf M reg 3.0TD SSR-X Ltd.
It is pulling reasonably badly to the left. I took it back to Mackay's in Edinburgh and they had the tracking and alignment checked and couldn't find anything wrong. Also there does not appear to be any uneven tyre wear.

Can anyone spread some light on this?

[marky]

this is a pic of the steering components Pitman Arm Balljoint may be worn
Steering Idler Arm is on drivers side

[poppy986]

dose it pull to left while driving or when breaking or both?

[mart 870]

If you still cant find anything mechanically wrong try swaping the front wheels over, more than once i`ve put tyres on a car and its suddenly started pulling one way, if pulls to the right after the chage you`ll know what the problem is.

[Rixtar]

Thanks

Cheers for the help guys,

I will get the garage to check out the possible wear scenarios.

It puls to the left whilst driving so I don't think it is any thing to do with the brakes.

Mackays have told me that they have tried the tyre changing malarky to no avail.

I'll let you know how thing get on.

Cheers

Rixtar

[Mart]

I have the same prob on my '94 m 3.0ltr. No uneven tyre wear and have already changed the idler arm, rotated the tyres, had the tracking done all to no avail.

could it be the caster etc ? can't see any damage underneath at all either.

help too please

[teahpot]

Hi guys did anyone ever sort the problem about pulling to the left as mine is doing the same!

[AndyLala]

this is a pic of the steering components Pitman Arm Balljoint may be worn
Steering Idler Arm is on drivers side

Marky,

I know this is a stupid question, but I have to ask it.
Where do these images come from?
This isn't a workshop manual is it?

andyL

[marky]

andy i save all useful images on this site as they come in handy for other forum members. i dont know the original origin of these pics

[Gamedawn]

Marky,

I know this is a stupid question, but I have to ask it.
Where do these images come from?
This isn't a workshop manual is it?

andyL

The pages are from the US 4Runner manual which if you ignore the engine stuff covers the Surf pretty well in terms of running gear, body etc. They come up on Ebay all the time.

[AndyLala]

thanks guys.


will keep 'em peeled.

andyL

[Gizmo]

If you still cant find anything mechanically wrong try swaping the front wheels over, more than once i`ve put tyres on a car and its suddenly started pulling one way, if pulls to the right after the chage you`ll know what the problem is.

Make sure that your tyres are not directional ones though. Basically can change the back wheel with the front on the Left hand side, same on right but not right hand side wheel with left hand side.

[Sparky]

cold be talking cr*p hear.
mine pulles left too (94 ssr-x 3lt D).replaced idler arm tracked,new tyres, no wear.but did notice while in france it pulled right.
possible road camber affecting steering slightly?

[Elfstone]

It may be axle alignment!

This comes from somthing I have heard about on a Nissan Navarda. In this case the truck was traveling at a sleight angle down the road when it was actually going in a straight line. (Hope that makes sense).
Eventually, it was found that the problem came form the way the axels are mounted. The distance between the centre of each wheel should be the same on both sides, but because the keys and locating holes on the axle set up were not perfectly machined and alowed a bit of movement the rear axle was offset!
Possibly something similar is happening here.

Hope this helps,

Ben

[Mart]

Sorted ! No more pulling to left

finally sorted the pulling to the left problem.....for me anyway. As I'd posted before had the tracking done, rotated wheels, etc etc and experienced no uneven tyre wear. Well decided a few weeks back to do the 2" spring lift at the back coz had very bad butt sag (not me! the car). Got the new springs fitted (same size as ones I took out?! Lifted already ?) and he presto the pulling to the left has gone (well might be very marginal but haven't had the tracking done since the ilder arm bush replacement).

My thoughts are Caster! Coz the butt sag was so bad the aster angles would be wrong?...and therefore causing the pulling to the left. Just a theory.

Anyway its sorted now so I'm happy. Although only have 13" from rim to arch when others seem to have 14.5 - 15". not really bothered but for standard ride height could have fitted Milners springs and saved £60!!!