EliTR6 Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi all, Took the TR out for a spin yesterday (Drive it day!) and noticed that it pulls quite strongly to the left, and not only under braking. Could it be that the tracking's out or is it more serious than that? Tyre pressures are good and the same, steering column hasn't been tinkered with recently. I'm supposed to take the car on a 600mile round trip this coming weekend. I don't want to die on the motorway... Usual specialist is fully booked until end of May. Any other suggestions for SW London (Clapham)? Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EliTR6 Posted April 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Local garage suggested getting tracking laser verified. They need the readings for a TR6 as they're not on the database. Is this (pic attached) what he's talking about? Thanks readings.bmp readings.bmp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dykins Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Eli Yes that is what he needs! Regards Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EliTR6 Posted April 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Eli Yes that is what he needs! Regards Peter Nice one Peter, thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Took the TR out for a spin yesterday (Drive it day!) and noticed that it pulls quite strongly to the left, and not only under braking. Could it be that the tracking's out or is it more serious than that? Tyre pressures are good and the same, steering column hasn't been tinkered with recently. Perhaps tracking, but if it's been like this for long I'd expect to see tyre wear. Has this just happened? Has it been kerbed recently? I'd have a jolly good look at the suspension that side, and the steering rack and drag links, and spin the wheel check the bearings and make sure the caliper is releasing properly, look at the suspension mounts to the chassis, check the trunnion. Also look at the left rear suspension make sure the trailing arm chassis member isn't collapsing or something. If you want the garage to adjust the rear tracking you'll need to take a supply of shims. Ivor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 (edited) I would have a good look at the front lower inner wishbone mountings. Especially the left front rear mounting box. If you can find a local MOT station that has the new type "Shaker" plates for checking front suspension that will definitely show up any movement in the brackets. Stuart. Edited April 27, 2009 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 (edited) I would have a good look at the front lower inner wishbone mountings. Especially the left front rear mounting box. If you can find a local MOT station that has the new type "Shaker" plates for checking front suspension that will definitely show up any movement in the brackets. Stuart. ABSOLUTELY. Stuart is spot on (as usual). If the nearside suspension mounting is fractured, (and this is NOT uncommon) this will cause pulling to the left, all the time but especially under braking. CHECK IT OUT AS A MATTER OF URGENCY. (Sorry to shout, but . . . .we don't want to lose you) AlanR Edited April 27, 2009 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi Eli, have you got some fancy tyres fitted that need to point in the correct direction. Some of the high performance ones are marked for a certain rotation. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EliTR6 Posted April 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi Eli, have you got some fancy tyres fitted that need to point in the correct direction. Some of the high performance ones are marked for a certain rotation. Roger Hi Roger, Yokos on the car, but they were fine up until now. Maybe one too many speedbumps has knocked something out of line. Have booked car in at Cox & Buckles for Wed but will jack it up and have a proper look tonight. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paz66 Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi all, Took the TR out for a spin yesterday (Drive it day!) and noticed that it pulls quite strongly to the left, and not only under braking. Could it be that the tracking's out or is it more serious than that? Tyre pressures are good and the same, steering column hasn't been tinkered with recently. I'm supposed to take the car on a 600mile round trip this coming weekend. I don't want to die on the motorway... Usual specialist is fully booked until end of May. Any other suggestions for SW London (Clapham)? Thanks I doubt it will be the tracking as if this were out then both front wheels would be aiming out of line not just one. I'd check your tyre pressures and sizes to make sure that they're the same accross the front. Also, check to make sure that one of the front brakes isn't binding and that you don't have a bent front suspension part or collapsed bush. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 It could be as simple as the road he was driving on ,ie the camber all roads tend to camber to the nearside some more than others Regards Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PILKIE Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 (edited) QUOTE NTC!!! It could be as simple as the road he was driving on ,ie the camber all roads tend to camber to the nearside some more than others!!! Thats the first thing I though was happening with mine!!! Till I got to work!! Hi Eli As you are probably aware! I had an decidedly scary incident with my front near side rear wishbone chassis mounting bracket fracturing!! This did cause an obvious pull,and wander while driving and under braking!!! If you drive your car forwards a few feet,then look at the position of the wheels then reverse a few feet and look again, it may be very obvious that something is wrong! If a mounting bracket has sheared you will be able to see it clearly! A collapsed wheel bearing will also give weird affects on brakes and steering,as its only the caliper holding it on via the disc! I had this happen suddenly on an Series1 XJ6 Jag back in the 80's!! If you are very lucky,it could be just a bolt worked loose making the alignment a bit off! The best of luck!! Dave Edited April 27, 2009 by PILKIE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eyetee Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Jack the car up and rotate the wheel, check for sticking front caliper. If wheel not binding rock the wheel testing for excessive baring wear, other sypmtom is wining while cornering. If still good remove wheel and check the chassis mounts, make sure good daylight/torch. If not possible tyre pressures, doubt it be tracking unless steering mounts/tie rod nuts have worked loose. Best go steady on the loud peddle till cause found Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi Eli, for the car to suddenly begin to "pull quite strongly to the left" as a result of mistracking would require a pretty hefty wallop to produce that much misalignment - and I doubt you'd have failed to notice such a whack ? As Stuart has already recommended, putting the car on MoT 'shaker' plates should identify the problem in about one minute flat - without any ifs or buts. Correcting tracking is fine, but what caused the tracking to be out ? That's the $64,000 question . . . . and it's better not to have to discover the answer the hard way. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi Stuart/Alec, what is this 'shaker plate' you have mentioned? Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi Stuart/Alec, what is this 'shaker plate' you have mentioned? Roger The new Mot ramps have a pair of plates that you drive the front wheels on and they move in and out and front to back. Its very informative to see what exactly is going on when the suspension is given a workout. Not very friendly on fragile 48 spoke wires though. Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EliTR6 Posted April 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Feeling a bit sheepish. Checked tyre pressures with a proper guage at a petrol station on the way to drop my car off this morning. Front left and rear right were both down to about 22psi (usually at 28). Pumped them back up and car only pulls very slightly to left, handles much better and - funnily enough - feels a lot lighter. Took it to the garage anyway, getting the suspension and greased and all the same. Better safe than sorry! Will also check diff, gearbox levels and give the car a good once over. Picking it up this evening, thank god the weather is beautiful today. Now I can go ahead and sort out my bank holiday weekend. Saturday, daytrip to Deal/Walmer and Ramsgate. Monday, Oxford and the Oxfordshire countryside (Trout inn, anyone?) Thanks to everyone for the help and a good long weekend to all! Eli Quote Link to post Share on other sites
whatmore179 Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Is that the Trout Inn at Lechlade. had some great times there when I was a young lad. (30 odd years ago). Great beer garden right next to the Thames, plenty of 6X. have a good weekend steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EliTR6 Posted April 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Is that the Trout Inn at Lechlade. had some great times there when I was a young lad. (30 odd years ago). Great beer garden right next to the Thames, plenty of 6X. have a good weekend steve Nope, this ones in Wolvercote. http://www.thetroutoxford.co.uk/ Highly recommended! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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