van pulls to left

Post by **pimpdriver** » 26 Mar 2006, 21:06

Hello,

My 88 panel van pulls to the left. The tyres are all correctly inflated and are not worn unevenly.

I did have the tracking checked and set in June, but since then I have hit the odd kerb and a few potholes.

In November 2005, I was advised that I have play in my nearside track rod end. Would this be causing it to pull to the left? Is this a MoT failure? (MoT is in June). Is it a quick (for a garage) job to do? Or is it fraught with perils..... (ie. will it be cheap or pricey!!!!)

Cheers,

Steve

Post by **tonytech** » 27 Mar 2006, 07:49

Swap front tyres over and see if the van pulls the other way.
My polo did this. No obvious damage to tyres. Then swaped left to spare which cured it.

T

Post by **Horza** » 27 Mar 2006, 08:17

'sfunny; my van did this also with no obvious cause. I also swapped out the tyres and it was cured. It was as if the left tyre was more sticky than the right.

It's cheaper the swap the tyres than it is to let a mechanic make something up, unless you can get it to a known good mechanic like Brickyard?

Post by **pimpdriver** » 27 Mar 2006, 22:14

swapped the tyres over, thanks for the tips. Only had a short drive but it seems different. Not totally convinced it is cured as the roads were not very straight or level so I couldn't tell what it was doing.

The left track rod end has play in it, when the wheel was jacked up I wiggled it (with the wheel bolts tight) and there was some play. He is a good mechanic who I have been going to for about 4 years.

Will get track rod end done soon (it looks fairly easy) and get the tracking redone.

Cheers,
Steve

Post by **pimpdriver** » 28 Mar 2006, 22:24

still pulls to left. Been quoted £55 + VAT to replace track rod end. A bit more to do the tracking afterwards.

thanks for the help

Steve