steering wander

[handy andy]

may be nothing but i have to ask
my car has developed a tendency to move to the left when i take my hands off the steering Wheel
is it just the camber of the road
i had the steering tracked 12 monthjs ago and have not kerbed the wheels or anything since then
the only thing i have done since then is to replace the outer c v joint and track rod end near side
the track rod end i replaced with the exact number of turns that the old one had
any ideas or should there be nothing to worry about
have checked the tyres and they seem to be wearing evenly
have tried on the Crown of the road NO TRAFFIC ABOUT and the tendency for the car to run off to the left is markedly reduced
Andy

[InimiaD]

Have you checked the tie rods.? Make sure the big nut is not coming undone. I've seen it happen.

[bpirie1000]

Could have thrown a weight on a wheel...

[minimans]

the track rod end i replaced with the exact number of turns that the old one had

Andy

Check the track All rod ends are not equal and it's easy to miscount!

[pad4]

was it ok b4 you had it tracked ?

pad

[Spider]

the track rod end i replaced with the exact number of turns that the old one had

Andy

Check the track All rod ends are not equal and it's easy to miscount!

That is very true, but generally it will off-centre the steering wheel a little and make the car weave from one side to the other, only a little though.

I'd start with tire pressures, then jack the front end up and start shaking wheels to try and find some movement. Check Castor and lower arm rubbers too.

Q. Does it pull to one side in Reverse and if so, which side?

[handy andy]

many thanks for all the pointers shall check them all
andy

[Chalkie]

Should of had it tracked when doing the new Track rod end cause the car will be out of alinement due to it being tracked to the wear in the old track rod, the new one be nice and tight. The number of turns dosen't mean its going to be spot on cause the threads between the 2 wont be the same.

[Smiffy]

The rack it's self could be moving, check the U bolts are tight.

[leonrjohnson]

Perhaps you could try swapping the front wheels left to right. I have found sometimes that tires seem to develop a "Memory" and cause pull.See if that improves the situation: worth a try.

[ianh1968]

Do you have Hi-Lo's?

Could be that the weight balance is all "across-the-diagonal"...
(Like I suspect is the problem with mine: Must get some corner
weight scales...)

Swivels too tight? - Causing car to not be able to self-straighten
on the castor angle...