Pulling to the right!!

eclipsyco · Mar 27, 2013

Ok guys need advice here!
Some backgroud story first... The previous owner was involved in a bad car accident like 3 years ago!
The passenger side fender, door and headlight where replaced as well as the front bumper, hood and the mount that is on the tranny. The car was totalled for the US standards but here in L.A. (latin america) in not so he fixed everything drove it for another 5 months and then I bought it. I bought it because it was super clean, fresh paint, stock engine and it had around 90k miles anyway since I bought it it was pulling me to the right I didn´t pay much attencion then but it starts getting annoying.
Since I bought it I changed calipers, pads and rotors I did the gsx brake swap changed the lower control arms, all bushings and ball joints but the car is still pulling to the right so I´m thinking maybe the accident kinda screwed up the car...
I know this is definitely a possibility so what now?
It´s just a slight pull nothing severe I know some of you might thing why you even bought it? Well the price was so low I couldn´t refuse plus finding a turbo dsm here is near impossibru...
Can a camper kit help me? or is there anything else a could do? I plan on keeping this car for as long as a I can.

Bud92gsx · Mar 27, 2013

Did you get the car re-alligned after suspention work/damage? If not see (V)This
Step 1,Allignment rack.

1995 brian · Mar 27, 2013

Go check the alignment on it. Im pretty sure the toe (tie rods) is off. Youll probably need new ones before they align it.

shakeandbake · Mar 27, 2013

what does your steering wheel do when its pulling right? Does it shake or does it just pull right when your steering wheels straight?

eclipsyco · Mar 27, 2013

Bud92gsx said:
Did you get the car re-alligned after suspention work/damage? If not see (V)This
Step 1,Allignment rack.

Yes I did! The shop mechanics how did the alignment were incompetent tho so i´m in doubt!

1995 brian said:
Go check the alignment on it. Im pretty sure the toe (tie rods) is off. Youll probably need new ones before they align it.

You probably are right I have never replaced the tie rod ends maybe the are all screwed up due to the accident. :thumb:

I hope is that!

shakeandbake said:
what does your steering wheel do when its pulling right? Does it shake or does it just pull right when your steering wheels straight?

No man is just a slight pull to the right if I have the steering wheel centered. It does´t shake.

ForsakenLash · Apr 3, 2013

I bought a Mustang a few years ago as a fixer upper that was kind of a similar situation... ended up on mine that the frame was slightly bent but not enough to have it totalled by FDOT standards. When I took it to get new tires I had them align it and thats when I found out about the frame being slightly bent... they aligned it as best they could and told me the only way to get it properly aligned was gonna be to get a caster/camber kit.

I would do the tie rod ends, have it re-aligned and ask them for a print out on the alignment. If its still off I would get the caster/camber kit to be able to get more play to try and get the alignment right.

blindboarder_02 · Apr 3, 2013

By the sounds of the accident - its possible that the spindle, suspension, subframe or the frame rails are tweaked.

Im going to go with the rest of the posts and say check Tie rods first. (Cheapest option first).

If it still pulls I would inspect the subframe for damage, spindle for angle, and measure the front end of the car. You could have a couple hours in measuring but it would be beneficial.

I just happen to have this laying around. All measurements are in Millimeters. Make sure to have the best straight edge possible when measuring. This is going to tell you if the strut tower is tweaked or if there is damage to the frame rails. I hope this helps.

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eclipsyco · Apr 3, 2013

I haven't do anything yet I jus don't have enough time. Yes I will definitely check the tie rods and measure the underhood areas thanks a lot guys I'll post back.

DeadlyScone · Apr 3, 2013

ForsakenLash said:
I bought a Mustang a few years ago as a fixer upper that was kind of a similar situation... ended up on mine that the frame was slightly bent but not enough to have it totalled by FDOT standards. When I took it to get new tires I had them align it and thats when I found out about the frame being slightly bent... they aligned it as best they could and told me the only way to get it properly aligned was gonna be to get a caster/camber kit.

I would do the tie rod ends, have it re-aligned and ask them for a print out on the alignment. If its still off I would get the caster/camber kit to be able to get more play to try and get the alignment right.

Caster can also cause it to pull one way too. It might be worth it to get a camber/caster kit.

dsmotors95 · Apr 3, 2013

i pretty sure its your frame..im having the exact same problem with my talon it was also in a accident and the right side was pushed in a little..ive had the car alligned twice with no success..

kpat · Apr 3, 2013

Post the alignment print out.

eclipsyco · Apr 3, 2013

I don't have the print out that was over a year ago!
I'll take some time this weekend and measure and take photos form both side to compare hood-fenders clearance and such!

I went out there and took some quick measurements from the center of the rim to the fenders and bumper both sides!
On flat ground
Driver side:
center to the bumper 15.5"
center to the fender opposite side 15.5
center to fender well 15"
Passenger side:
center to the bumper 15"
center to the fender opposite side 16"
center to the fender well 15.2"
I guess this is not normal right? Or my measurements are not prof of anything at all.

kpat · Apr 3, 2013

from what i can see from the measurement you provided. the passenger side is sitting a little back towards the fender side.im pretty sure the caster is being effected. which can cause a pull to the right. camber/caster kit may help. but getting actual numbers from an shop that has an alignment machine would help more. I dont know if a shop around your area would give alignment checks for free. if they do, i would go ahead and get it checked again.

1990boost · Apr 4, 2013

I was pulling to the right real bad, new control arms fixed me right up as the bushings were gone so the arms collapsed and were touching the floor boards. Car drives nice and straight now.

eclipsyco · Apr 4, 2013

1990boost said:
I was pulling to the right real bad, new control arms fixed me right up as the bushings were gone so the arms collapsed and were touching the floor boards. Car drives nice and straight now.

I'm glad you fixed your issue sadly this is not the case for me. I have changed both control arms like a 8k miles ago and it was doing it before and it still does it now.
To get an idea guys of what I feel is like driving and one tire has less air than the other. If it makes any sense.

ForsakenLash · Apr 4, 2013

As suggested I would find somewhere that does free alignment inspections and ask for a printout. Also ask them to do a front end inspection on the tie rod ends and see if they are in good shape. Most major retail places like Midas and such will do them for free if not cheap.

b18cek · Apr 11, 2013

blindboarder_02 said:
By the sounds of the accident - its possible that the spindle, suspension, subframe or the frame rails are tweaked.

Im going to go with the rest of the posts and say check Tie rods first. (Cheapest option first).

If it still pulls I would inspect the subframe for damage, spindle for angle, and measure the front end of the car. You could have a couple hours in measuring but it would be beneficial.

I just happen to have this laying around. All measurements are in Millimeters. Make sure to have the best straight edge possible when measuring. This is going to tell you if the strut tower is tweaked or if there is damage to the frame rails. I hope this helps.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

thanks for that diagram, will be useful!

Jward5 · Apr 11, 2013

Good luck!

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Pulling to the right!!

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eclipsyco

ForsakenLash

blindboarder_02

eclipsyco

DeadlyScone

dsmotors95

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eclipsyco

kpat

1990boost

eclipsyco

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