Here is the situation:
I bought a Cat D '03 Fiesta from a friend of my dads'. It had had a slight prang on the front right near side and required new panel and a bit of spraying. I think it also had a suspension arm replaced as well.....not 100% sure on this. It has a brand new MOT put on last week as well.
Anyways, the car has a bit of a drift to the left. Nothing major, but say you take your hands off the wheel to pull over and plug in your seatbelt you are on your way kerbwards.
I have had the tracking checked at one of those fancy laser alignment places and it is spot on. The wheels have been balanced properly, with 2 being straightened as well due to slight buckles (Ford alloys are made of cheese) and all air pressure is correct.
So what is the next thing I should check or have done diagnostically to find out the cause of the problem? The tyre on the front left side has more wear than on the right, so could that be causing it?
Suggestions?
P.S I will be taking it too a garage at some point, but have not got the time at the mo.
Swap the tyres first & check that
The left side tyre will always have more wear, that's due to roundabouts, so if that tyre is more worn down it will pull to the left, but not much.
Check the tyres are worn evenly. My van pulled to the left when I got it due to the left tyre being very worn towards one side. Chnging that tyre cured it. Given the history of your car you might consider yourself lucky if that turns out to be all that is wrong.
Check all the tyres are the correct size.
When you had it laser aligned, what actually did they check? Its not just as simple as 'doing the tracking', theres front and rear dependant on the adjustablilty of the car, and a number of angles that can be altered, again dependant on the car and the technician and their equipment.
Failing that check the tyres, they could be knackered, or it could be a brake binding on slightly too.
Oh and if not of that, probably the car is bent and ****ed.
front right near side
Front right - drivers side = offside
Front left - passenger side = nearside
Assuming the accident was drivers side?
Also consider the road. a slight camber for rain run off could mean that the car pulls to the left if your not controlling it (ie hands of the wheel)
Have the tracking double checked, and also the suspension bushings.
First garage I took mine to couldn't find/fix the fault using their laser whatsit, so I took it to a small independent garage who sorted it in a few mins.
Front right - drivers side = offside
That's the one.
Also consider the road. a slight camber for rain run off could mean that the car pulls to the left if your not controlling it (ie hands of the wheel)
Considered that, but seems to be consistent enough not to be down to road surface.
For the record when hands on the wheel it is fine, it is not as if the control is being jerked away from me or I have to fight it etc.
When you had it laser aligned, what actually did they check?
I got a read out, not sure where it is, but basically they talked me through the figures and did not touch the tracking as the numbers were all fine.
Oh and if not of that, probably the car is bent and ****ed.
I am assuming if the car was bent then the original insurance assessment would have been decided as a Cat C instead of a Cat D?
Yup, try an independent. You should check not just tracking but toe in/toe out and camber. Also get them to look for damage from the accident like a bent track rod.
Before you spend too much, swap the front wheels over and see if the effect changes - could just be caused by the different wear
I am assuming if the car was bent then the original insurance assessment would have been decided as a Cat C instead of a Cat D?
They wouldn't have done that much of a detailed examination of it
I'd get a second opinion on the tracking, first of all.
If it turns out to be right, I'd sell it. (-:
retro83 - MemberHave the tracking double checked, and also the suspension bushings.
First garage I took mine to couldn't find/fix the fault using their laser whatsit, so I took it to a small independent garage who sorted it in a few mins.
I would echo this, I had lazer alingment doen which missed the fact that one front wheel was an inch and half behind the other after a crash..