Tracking!

[johnnyrod]

An answer this time instead of me only asking questions. My old wagon has been pulling to the left all the years I've had it, but after a bit of a bouncy trip down a lane it scrubbed the inside edge off the offside front tyre in only a few weeks, looked horrendous. Tracking checked, not far out, had to replace the track rod end as it was predictably seized. Tracking checked again, OK-ish spare put on, still a problem, truck also still pulling to the left. All 1,000 bits of the steering yanked about but all seemed fine.

From a search on here I thought it could be camber. Spoke to Steertack, the chap there confidently said it'll be tracking unless I've crashed it. Tried fruitlessly to find someone who'd check it (don't ask), ended up having the tracking checked again, this tiem by someone else (Tanvic).

New tyres on the front and the scrubbing has gone. Sure enough Mr. Steertrack was right, it was the tracking. Still pulls to the left, as did my last one. Am leaving well enough alone...

Hope this helps someone someday!

[Overland Tonka]

Just been through the same thing...pulling left. Tracking was out and put right. Still pulling left...totally stumped??? Could it be the scrubbing that has occurred prior to the tracking being done?? New tyres could now cure this prob??

Could swap with the rears to check?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Sticking caliper?
The pistons in the N/S calipers always stick for some reason dragging the brakes on that side causing pulling to the left.

Jack the passenger side front wheel off the ground and see if spins freely by hand.

[Overland Tonka]

Sticking caliper?
The pistons in the N/S calipers always stick for some reason dragging the brakes on that side causing pulling to the left.

Jack the passenger side front wheel off the ground and see if spins freely by hand.

Top advice....thanks.

[KERRSURF]

If you fit non standard size wheels/tyres then camber/castor adjustment is required.

[johnnyrod]

I had an old 1995 one of these, this is a 2003, they both pull to the left a bit, even with the tracking set right. Am going to check my own n/s caliper now!

[Wolfracer]

Is it the castor that is changed by the oval nut thingymajig? A tyre shop I use said a big bang to the suspension will throw this out regardless.
btw neither of my two trucks pulled to the left with or without proper tracking.

[marcdtr]

mine pulls to the left slightly ive done the tracking,calipers & pads and replaced pit arm track rod ends and ball joints all new AT2s. I gave up looking (it might be the aftermarket alloys)but would like an answer. goodluck

[KERRSURF]

mine pulls to the left slightly ive done the tracking,calipers & pads and replaced pit arm track rod ends and ball joints all new AT2s. I gave up looking (it might be the aftermarket alloys)but would like an answer. goodluck

Check the steering idler bushes, easy fix too.

I have a fix thread somewhere.

[wishbone]

Nearly all the cars I've had pulled to left slightly. Always though it was due to the road having a camber for the rain to run off ? Maybe the larger tyres on a surf exagerate it a bit ?

I'm typing this as I have just fitted new everything on my truck (bushes / rod ends / shocks / steering idler / balljoints ) Basically everything except the steering box and pitman arm. I've had it set up spot on by a company that actually knows what they are doing and my truck will head towards the kerb gently if I take my hands off the wheel..

[KERRSURF]

I had those problems on my well maintained truck and I took it to Pro-Grip in Larbert and when I left it was spot on. Running 33's on 10x15 steel mods with body lift and suspension lift. Guy was using lasers and mirrors, took 40mins and cost £45, job done.

[Rob5464]

I have had my left caliper jam on and lock the wheel up before. Had to drive home with a nice hot brake disk.

My tyre on the left wore out too and it pulled to the left but the tracking was spot on apparently. Think it will be a pitman arm.

[knicko]

If it is a gentle pull to the left, it may be the effect of the 'crown' design of the road (falls away either side of the centre line). Find a quiet spot and try driving on the right side of the road and you might find the car pulls to the right instead....mine does this and I think it is more noticeable in our vehicles than in a standard road car.

[johnnyrod]

Mine has done it all over the place, I don't think it's the camber of the road.
Kerr is this the one?
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=60209

[johnnyrod]

PS is the idler arm easy enough to get off? Presumably it is just a steering component so the truck isn't going to fall on my head? Finally, does it alter the tracking if you are just replacing the bushes i.e. same arm?
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