Club 80-90 Forums

Afternoon all,

Recently had a front brake overhaul and new calipers/pads fitted (10 months ago). Past couple of months the van has been pulling to the left - its not a major battle to keep a straight line but it does feel like I have to steer to 1 o'clock. Nipped down a garage to have the tracking checked and they reckon its 4 degrees out and if it was adjusted it would feel no different(?!) - also heard the chap say 'I've not worked on one of these before' so I got out quick!

If this is not a tracking issue any suggestions what else could be problem - I'm no expert but could the steering rack/mounts have anything to do with this?

All comments good and bad appreciate!

Pulling permanently or only while braking?

First thing I'd check is tyre pressures, but assuming they are OK did you have brake hoses done when the brakes were overhauled.

If the passenger side hose has collapsed internally, it won't allow the brake fluid to escape the caliper and therefore will be partially braking on that side.

It pulls permanently when driving and not during braking. Braking is generally good (as it can be! and nothing feels untoward. I'll check pressures tonight.

Was thinking about changing the bushes on my steering rack for the hell of it and getting some nice Powerflexes - is this a relatively simple job?

Tracking is tracking..
excessive play in the rack would allow the van to follow the road camber

OK - what do ya reckon Kev - are the symptoms suggesting tracking is out? I was not completely convinced by the guy at the tyre centre who said 4 degrees out would not make a difference.

Neither am I convinced.

probably best to get it set right first before fitting parts, tyre pressures before all that though.. The powerflex steering rack bushes really do make a difference (to steering input), and are very easy to do

Have you checked for a sticking brake caliper?

Yep - checked the calipers and all good.

Topped up the air pressure today - nearside front was slightly lower than right and I think it has improved a tad. Will get tracking checked at weekend and update.

Coming from a novice, steering rack bushes are nice and easy. Well worth it, even just for making you feel good!

Smosh wrote:Coming from a novice, steering rack bushes are nice and easy. Well worth it, even just for making you feel good!

How long did it take? Any tips on doing it?

Cheers

Define "tracking"... generally it is used in relation to the toe angle of the front wheels only....even a large amount of toe in or out will still not cause the van to pull to one side continuously...however a small deviation in castor angle or camber angle will....also the rear axle is the one that steers a van....sounds wrong doesn't it but try driving with a rear wheel toeing out and you will soon see how I mean...only a proper 4 wheel alinment can set on the rear end in relation to the cente line.

I suspect your problem maybe down to worn tierod bushes or some other worn component unless the vans had something swapped and no adjustments done?

If your steering geometry is out (Camber/Caster/Toe) then the tyres will be wearing unevenly..is this the case?
You maybe wasting your money paying for any sort of geometry adjustments if you have an underlying issue somewhere else. Steering/suspension bushes, wheel bearings, ball joints, track rod ends.
It might also help to eliminate the possibility of a tyre fault by carrying out a simple diagonal wheel swap.

Martin

chuggers72 wrote:

Smosh wrote:Coming from a novice, steering rack bushes are nice and easy. Well worth it, even just for making you feel good!

How long did it take? Any tips on doing it?

Cheers

You could do it in an hour! It's really only four bolts, you don't need to pull the whole rack off. The top Bush steering wheel side is a lake awkward, but you should be able to get to it.