Car pulling to right under load.

V · 26th April 2010, 09:01 AM

Hi,

I’m looking at buying a car (Volvo!) which tracks very slightly to the right when coasting, although when accelerating is reasonable.
I cant say I remember the steering wheel moving although it did seem to want to pull very very slightly to the right when driving in a straight line.

Its just had 3 new tyres (rears and drivers front - 235/40/18) and a new drivers front shock absorber - by a Volvo main dealer.

I don’t think its been tracked.

I appreciate it could be a number of things, although does anyone have any starters please?

Its going back to Volvo for them to have a look, but talking to them on the phone they didnt see too sure.

Many thanks

V · 26th April 2010, 09:10 AM

Oh, its 3 years old and done 60k.
Shock was replaced due to leak.

I assume the other front would be best replaced to keep them paired?

Martin F · 26th April 2010, 11:57 AM

How does it react under braking?

As you say, i'd first start off by getting two tyres the same type and wear on the front and then see how it feels. It could be a difference between the shocks and likewise I personally think it's best to replace those in pairs as well. I assume it was just an OEM replacement shock?

It could be just an alignment issue, especially if something has been disturbed during the shock replacement. However be cautious if you're thinking about purchasing because if it's not suspension related, it could be chassis related

V · 26th April 2010, 12:11 PM

Hi Martin,
Braking is fine, albeit I didn’t lock up as I had the family in the car as well, but if it was the shock I assume it would show something up under reasonable braking?

Being low profiles (more so than the Supe!) are the tyres more susceptible to any minor geometry deviation? The old tyre I’d say has 4mm on it.

HPi'd fine and spoke to the main Volvo dealer who has always serviced the car and all was good. (This was whilst I was inspecting the car on loud speaker)
Seems very genuine, but you’ve got to trust no one.
They seemed just as surprised, as they just MOT’d it hence the OEM shock.
It has active suspension (soft/hard setting) assuming that’s all working fine. No fault lights.

Martin F · 26th April 2010, 12:49 PM

Yep, would expect if it was a dodgy shock that it would show up under braking, especially after lifting off.

Lower profiles certainly do make geometry problems more pronounced, because there is less sidewall to absorb any movements.

Think i'd try to organise the same tyres on the front and if the issue is still there then get to a geometry specialist with it. May seem a little extreme for a daily driver but they would tell you more in an hour than us lot hypothesising. Also the money spent you'd probably recover on reduced tyre wear over the years

V · 26th April 2010, 01:00 PM

I'll see how it goes....
Thanks

V · 27th April 2010, 04:47 PM

Had it looked at Volvo and couldnt find a problem, which was what i was expecting.
They swaped the tyres around and it now pulls slightly to the left!!

Martin F · 27th April 2010, 06:40 PM

LOL

Did they swap front to back? (assuming the fronts are directional)

Actually thinking about that, if you have directional tyres are they all on the correct way round?

V · 27th April 2010, 07:01 PM

Not sure i wasnt there. i assume so?
thibk i'm i'm going to ask for it to be tracked.

26th April 2010, 09:01 AM	#1
V Club Administrator Jap Spec RZ-S - Manual Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Suffolk Posts: 584	Car pulling to right under load. Hi, I’m looking at buying a car (Volvo!) which tracks very slightly to the right when coasting, although when accelerating is reasonable. I cant say I remember the steering wheel moving although it did seem to want to pull very very slightly to the right when driving in a straight line. Its just had 3 new tyres (rears and drivers front - 235/40/18) and a new drivers front shock absorber - by a Volvo main dealer. I don’t think its been tracked. I appreciate it could be a number of things, although does anyone have any starters please? Its going back to Volvo for them to have a look, but talking to them on the phone they didnt see too sure. Many thanks __________________ TT, VVTI, 6sp, HA's, SSQV, HIDS, K&N, N1 ExTi, AVS, Abflug, RMM, Defi, RPS, Turbo XS, ALC OS, DBA, Innovate. all wrapped in a blue shell. Last edited by V; 26th April 2010 at 09:36 AM.

26th April 2010, 09:10 AM	#2
V Club Administrator Jap Spec RZ-S - Manual Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Suffolk Posts: 584	Oh, its 3 years old and done 60k. Shock was replaced due to leak. I assume the other front would be best replaced to keep them paired? __________________ TT, VVTI, 6sp, HA's, SSQV, HIDS, K&N, N1 ExTi, AVS, Abflug, RMM, Defi, RPS, Turbo XS, ALC OS, DBA, Innovate. all wrapped in a blue shell.

26th April 2010, 11:57 AM	#3
Martin F Administrator UK Spec - Manual Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 10,226	How does it react under braking? As you say, i'd first start off by getting two tyres the same type and wear on the front and then see how it feels. It could be a difference between the shocks and likewise I personally think it's best to replace those in pairs as well. I assume it was just an OEM replacement shock? It could be just an alignment issue, especially if something has been disturbed during the shock replacement. However be cautious if you're thinking about purchasing because if it's not suspension related, it could be chassis related __________________ Martin UK6TT + Bits & Bobs 'Remember folks, the inside lane isn't just for Xmas' MSOC FAQ MSOC Members Discounts MSOC Resources

26th April 2010, 12:11 PM	#4
V Club Administrator Jap Spec RZ-S - Manual Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Suffolk Posts: 584	Hi Martin, Braking is fine, albeit I didn’t lock up as I had the family in the car as well, but if it was the shock I assume it would show something up under reasonable braking? Being low profiles (more so than the Supe!) are the tyres more susceptible to any minor geometry deviation? The old tyre I’d say has 4mm on it. HPi'd fine and spoke to the main Volvo dealer who has always serviced the car and all was good. (This was whilst I was inspecting the car on loud speaker) Seems very genuine, but you’ve got to trust no one. They seemed just as surprised, as they just MOT’d it hence the OEM shock. It has active suspension (soft/hard setting) assuming that’s all working fine. No fault lights. __________________ TT, VVTI, 6sp, HA's, SSQV, HIDS, K&N, N1 ExTi, AVS, Abflug, RMM, Defi, RPS, Turbo XS, ALC OS, DBA, Innovate. all wrapped in a blue shell.

26th April 2010, 12:49 PM	#5
Martin F Administrator UK Spec - Manual Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 10,226	Yep, would expect if it was a dodgy shock that it would show up under braking, especially after lifting off. Lower profiles certainly do make geometry problems more pronounced, because there is less sidewall to absorb any movements. Think i'd try to organise the same tyres on the front and if the issue is still there then get to a geometry specialist with it. May seem a little extreme for a daily driver but they would tell you more in an hour than us lot hypothesising. Also the money spent you'd probably recover on reduced tyre wear over the years __________________ Martin UK6TT + Bits & Bobs 'Remember folks, the inside lane isn't just for Xmas' MSOC FAQ MSOC Members Discounts MSOC Resources

26th April 2010, 01:00 PM	#6
V Club Administrator Jap Spec RZ-S - Manual Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Suffolk Posts: 584	I'll see how it goes.... Thanks __________________ TT, VVTI, 6sp, HA's, SSQV, HIDS, K&N, N1 ExTi, AVS, Abflug, RMM, Defi, RPS, Turbo XS, ALC OS, DBA, Innovate. all wrapped in a blue shell.

27th April 2010, 04:47 PM	#7
V Club Administrator Jap Spec RZ-S - Manual Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Suffolk Posts: 584	Had it looked at Volvo and couldnt find a problem, which was what i was expecting. They swaped the tyres around and it now pulls slightly to the left!! __________________ TT, VVTI, 6sp, HA's, SSQV, HIDS, K&N, N1 ExTi, AVS, Abflug, RMM, Defi, RPS, Turbo XS, ALC OS, DBA, Innovate. all wrapped in a blue shell.

27th April 2010, 06:40 PM	#8
Martin F Administrator UK Spec - Manual Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 10,226	LOL Did they swap front to back? (assuming the fronts are directional) Actually thinking about that, if you have directional tyres are they all on the correct way round? __________________ Martin UK6TT + Bits & Bobs 'Remember folks, the inside lane isn't just for Xmas' MSOC FAQ MSOC Members Discounts MSOC Resources

27th April 2010, 07:01 PM	#9
V Club Administrator Jap Spec RZ-S - Manual Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Suffolk Posts: 584	Not sure i wasnt there. i assume so? thibk i'm i'm going to ask for it to be tracked. __________________ TT, VVTI, 6sp, HA's, SSQV, HIDS, K&N, N1 ExTi, AVS, Abflug, RMM, Defi, RPS, Turbo XS, ALC OS, DBA, Innovate. all wrapped in a blue shell.

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