Car Pulling Right - Tie Rods?

[TooFarPast]

Hey Everyone

Last year, around June, I had all the balljoints and control arms and wheel bearings replaced in my front end and had it aligned at the same time. Now I've only driven my car a month since then and (on and off for the last 8 months or so) and now my car's beginning to pull right when I'm driving.

I thought it was tire air pressure.. nope. And when at high speeds, 50+ it starts to vibrate the car a bit and you can hear a sort of stammering from the right front area.

After all that's been replaced? Could it be the tie rods? My dad was telling me to just shake it and see what happens, I took the wheels off today to rotate them (still pulling right afterwards) and gave the rods a little jerk, didn't notice anything, maybe I have to jerk harder?

It pulls to the right pretty hard.

My conclusion is that possibly since it pulls right and I'm hearing that stammering in the front, and the car shakes, I might have a lose tie rod in the front right, but that's just me. Any other possible things? Hah, I can't think of any.

 

[diablos991]

First put the car on jack stands, then try to wiggle the tire holding the top and bottom and then the sides. If it shakes or you hear any funny noises you should get a partner to feel what part is shaking/making noise. Also check all of the boots and joints for wear.

 

[luv2rallye]

If the tie rod ends are bad, you will feel play when the wheels are off the ground and you grab the sides of the tire and force it in/out (wheel turns left/right). There should be absolutely no play. Remember there is both an inner and outer tie rod end on each side and you will have to figure out which is bad by going under the car and watching the parts move while someone else moves the wheel. If the wheel arm moves and the rod doesn't - outer bad (or the rod moves but the steering wheel or other wheel doesn't - inner bad). The outers go first and are extremely easy and cheap to replace. The inners not as often but they are hard to get off/on so many people never replace them (so they end up going bad). NAPA is a good place to get them (don't get the $10 ones).

 

[madtech707]

By your story is seems like to me that since you had all that front end work done and been driving the car for a total of only about a month, its possible that a suspension part/bolt/nut was left "snug" and now it may have worked its way loose. If i were you I would jack the front body on stands and shake the suspension down again, but with the wheels on, this will give you more levridge to apply pressure to a potientally loose/worn ball joint, tie-rod end, control arm/bushings, ect. making it easier to find. By applying back and forth pressure to opposites sides of the wheel with you hands at the 9 & 3 o clock positions will check for play in the tie-rod ends. With your hands at 12 & 6 this will check upper and lower ball joints and control arms. To me this is a very effective way to shake down a suspension. Good Luck!

 

[TooFarPast]

Thanks for the help so far, will definately try that tomorrow and will take a look at everything.

-Balljoints, Bearings, Control Arms.. etc you name it, it'll be on my list to check to see if anything's wrong. Will give you an update if I notice anything strange.

Although I shouldn't fail to mention, the other day when I went to get my car inspected the mechanic sort of seemed apt to get my business. He said he couldn't give me an inspection certificate due to play in my upper driver side balljoint. He moved the tire and jerked it really hard and said there was play and that I should have that replaced immediately.

He then gave me the sweet talk and quickly jumped into having the part in stock possibly and getting it replaced/back on the road.

Now I was suspicious about his motives for two reasons:

A) He's a new business owner/mechanic at his new shop
B) He wants my money.

When we started off, he was pointing out things that could be wrong or gone bad.. but I didn't take the bait as I've replaced the timing belt/waterpump/drivebelts/brake shoes/rotors etc on my car and know enough about my car's situation than he may lead me on to believe.


But anyways, could this have any substantial affect on my current issue? I found it weird though because I just had that replaced and re-examined my reciept from the Chrysler Dealership that completed the job on my front end and that Driver Side Upper Balljoint was replaced so hmmm.... faulty already?

Anyways, yeah I'll give all I listed a check tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[n0c7]

Get a second opinion.

 

[TooFarPast]

Hmm checked out everything seems to be fine, maybe I just need an alignment, there are a lot of pot holes up here and windy roads, so maybe it gradually brought down my alignment and put it off.

I mean it's been like almost a year since it's been aligned, and even though I mildly drive it, still possible. The month estimate of my driving's a bit off because I can average out to two months. It doesn't really pull hard to the right either, more of just gradually.

The vibration as well is mild, comes and goes around 50 mph + meaning, sometimes it'll show up and sometimes it won't.

Still unsure at this point.

I'll have a mechanic look at it.

------

Just trying to get stuff organized and together on my car, I'm planning a 1,700 mile road trip from NY to CO in a few weeks, just want to get stuff squared away!

 

[luv2rallye]

The vibration as well is mild, comes and goes around 50 mph + meaning, sometimes it'll show up and sometimes it won't.

A come and go car moving vibration can also be caused by the 2 front wheels being slightly out of balance and you get vibration when they go in and out of phase with each other. Does the steering wheel shake?

 

[madtech707]

Hey theres one more thing you could try. Tires have been also known to cause pulls/drifts while driving. Swap both your front wheels/tires across. If it is a tire issue you vehicle will ether track staight or now pull left. Its still a good idea get your alignment checked as well.

 

[NMFDChris1G]

I have the same issue your having right now, sounds like your wheel bearing is bad again cause thats what my problem is!

 

[97eclipseNT]

it could be your wheel bearing or tires but i would still have your alignment checked toe on the front will not cause a pull because since the 2 front wheels are connectedit equals out. i don't know if your caster is adjustable but that could be a problem too if it is too far negative it will cause it to be unstable like a vibration also it will pull too the side that is most negative just an idea but goodluck with the problem.

 

[zenbrody]

Mine just started doing it as well.Let me know what the mech. tells you."'i thinking whell bearing".