Unusual problem on a neighbours VW Transporter FWD TDi van. On acceleration it pulls very gently to the right, and when you back the power off, it pulls slightly to the left. If power is constant, it drives perfectly striaght. Wheel alignment has been done and was fine. N/S front tyre showing more outside edge wear than the rest which are all even. Does this sound like a ball joint problem or something more sinister? Thanks for any advice. JB
Possibly a knackered suspension arm.
acceleration
I've just had this on my X-trail which was purchased with a new dunlop SP2000 tyre on one side, and a new dunlop SP4000 on the other side. I had it first tracked (slightly out) and then laser aligned. Both of which made no difference at all.
Putting an exact matching tyre on to compliment the other and the problem vanished. Must have been something to do with rolling resistance or something??
So after checking track and for worn components, are the two tyres exactly the same??
Tim..
Exactly the same tyres all round. I think I'd better check his bushes or joints.
JB
I'll try and get it on a ramp for him and check it out. Thanks, JB
"JB" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@individual.net:
Happened on my Pug205, it was the track control arm bushes. May be similar.
Had the same on my 91 Orion. Turned out to be a knackered bush on the wishbone.
Pete.
If nothing obvious is worn, then get a full geometry check.
Chances are the camber is out on the n/s/f, which will explain the handling and tyre wear problems.
acceleration
Sounds more like the oft-known complaint we mortals refer to as 'torque-steer'.
My old Alfa 33s had it by the bucketload, and most modern FWD cars aren't exempt mild symptoms upon vigorous accelleration and decelleration. When driving steadily, there is no problem.
Whilst obviously undesirable, it is the result of the driveshafts twisting unequally, with the effect of one side of the car wanting to out-accellerate the other, driving the steered roadwheel forward, faster than the other. If your friend has access to an Alfa 33, tell him to go out and drive it enthusiastically - if the feeling is similar (But far worse) you've found the problem.
Fixing it? When you've found the fix, please inform all the world's manufacturers of FWD vehicles.....
Adam
Simple: put the diff in the middle of the car and fit equal length drivshafts.
Chris
This probably isn't torque steer. Torque steer is what you get when you're almost spinning the wheels setting off quickly in first and perhaps second. This sounds more like knackered bushes letting the suspension arm swing around when you put your foot down and lift off. I've driven a car that's doing this and it's much stronger than torque steer, doesn't tug at the wheel in the same way and happens under much gentler acceleration.
In news: snipped-for-privacy@individual.net, JB wittered on forthwith;
I'd check the suspension bushes, and the engine / gearbox mounts.
I'll pass that on about the engine/box mounts. I never thought of that. Thanks, JB
And you've described exactly how to get what I have described!
Adam
Adam H ( snipped-for-privacy@REMOVEntlworld.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
Exactly. Equal length driveshafts largely solve the problem.
Mind you, I'm surprised if the 33 didn't already have 'em, being N-S
We had 2 Alfa 33s, neither of which torque steered to any great extent.
They were a lot more prone to kicking the back end out unexpectedly, though.....
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