Pulling to the left

Does your 480 have tracking-problems? Does your car pull to one side? Or is your steering wheel vibrating? Read the posts in this category to find out what's going on.

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Swanny
Started learning about 480
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 11:40 am

Pulling to the left

Post by Swanny » Sun Feb 22, 2015 5:05 pm

Hello all, my turbo's had a significant pull tot he left for a good few months with no obvious signs of a knock or dodgy tracking Also, the wheel steering wheel has to point about 10 degrees to the right to keep the car pointing forward.

I took it to a garage this week to get the tracking checked and the mechanic said the tracking is spot on. This tells me it's a weight-on-wheels problem, so suspension surely. The mechanic reckons it could be a sticky lower bearing on the shock causing torsion on the coil and a mismatch in the suspension. Sounds like good logic to me, so I thought I'd change the bearings myself then take it in for tracking. Has anyone come across this before? The bearing does seem to creak as you turn the wheels with weight off. It's not a serious problem but I want the car to be as perfect as I can be afforded. Can you obtain the shock lower bearings easily? I haven't come across any yet. All advice welcomed and appreciated as always. Thanks.

Swanny
480 Turbo S/R 'Matilda' - '89 red - Norfolk

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Ben Harris
480 Is my middle name
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Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2003 5:18 pm
Location: Cambridge, UK
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Re: Pulling to the left

Post by Ben Harris » Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:57 pm

Something else to check is your wishbone bushes. One of my 480's would pull to the right on acceleration, and then pull the left when not accelerating. Gear changes when accelerating would produce an interesting 'shimmy' effect. This would happen with the steering wheel pointing directly ahead, and not moving. Turned out to be worn wishbone bushes. Replacing them solved it.
1998-2003 ... 1981 Austin Mini City
2003-2005 ... 1989 Volvo 480 ES (B18E)
2004-2006 ... 1994 Volvo 480 ES (B20F)
2006-2008 ... 1995 Mitsuibshi FTO GPX
2008-2008 ... 1994 Volvo 480 Turbo Auto (with RichMod)
2009-Onwards ... 1991 MK1 Eunos Roadster
2013-Onwards ... 1997 Subaru Impreza Turbo 2000 (Wagon)

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