Car pulling to the right

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi All,

I've noticed the steering seems to be pulling to the right when driving, it started about a month ago. I've also noticed driving normally around corners and I'm getting tire squeal. I've also spotted a slight oil leak from the diff (which is getting warm), could this be causing it?

The front suspension is new and the tires are balanced. The garage said they checked the geometry and it's correct. However, they say rear wishbones are old and need replacing, they say one of them may be twisting. Do you think this is what is causing it?

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[72HCODE]

rear wishbones? 71-73 mustangs have a solid rear axle unless you have had the car drastically modified.

oil leak from the diff isn't going to cause steering pull.

brake pull is possible if something broke or is not assembled correctly.

i would first check the front strut rods, did a rubber or poly bushing fall apart.

next i would find another shop put the car on the alignment machine and see where things are.

if they told you you have rear wishbones and you have a solid rear axle they would have no trust in my book.

if they mean lower front wishbone then yes that can be the source of problems. bad ball joints etc..

 

[Thin Lizzy]

Thanks for your reply. My mistake, I got my terminology wrong, they said it needs new rear leaf springs. Yes, brake pull crossed my mind.

The garage seems well respected among Mustang owners, though they are crazy expensive. I'll have a look at the strut rods as you say.

Here are a few pics of the front suspension:

 

[rocket366]

Leaf springs will not cause pull.

Braking pull is only when brakes are applied.

Unequal Camber will cause pull.

Unequal Caster will cause pull.

Toe adjustment will not cause pull.

I would get to an alignment shop and get the Camber and Caster equal side to side.

Shoot for 0 degrees Camber EQUAL BOTH sides.

Shoot for +2 to +2.5 degrees Caster EQUAL BOTH sides.

and 1/8 in toe in.

Paul

 

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi Paul,

thanks for this information.

 

[mustang7173]

Thin Lizzy,

+ 1 with Rocket366. Here is the same information that rocket366 mentioned.

http://opentrackerracing.com/

http://opentrackerracing.com/technical/

mustang7173

 

[Thin Lizzy]

So spoke to the garage and they say the camber / caster / toe in is correct. They think the tyre wear is uneven.

However the diff seal has given up the ghost, as well as the transmission seal. The car did 100 miles a year for 5 years so plenty of time for the seals to dry out .

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Did the garage give you the printed results of the alignment? That would provide valuable information.

 

[1973grandeklar]

Ask for the printout. I had a 1984 Oldsmobile "aligned" when I put new tires on it. Three months later and less than 10k in miles and my right front tire had worn the inside edge off. Went back to the shop and they gave me some story about the shocks are worn out and the steering sector is loose. I told them that it did not explain the tire wear. Went to another shop and they showed me the print out. Camber was way off and my caster was all wrong. They were able to fix it even with my worn out shocks and loose steering sector. Point is, people lie to cover their a$$ for not doing the job they were paid to do!!!

 

[Thin Lizzy]

They've got back to me and said they got it wrong, the new front suspension had settled and the tracking was off. They've adjusted it at their cost.

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

I'll bet they installed and tightened the end links with the suspension hanging. That would throw things off right there.

 

[Thin Lizzy]

You'd know better that me, I'm sure you're right. I drove it back this morning and it drives in a straight line now. And and the diff and trans oil leaks are fixed. I'm happy again .