Well I have been trying to figure this one out for a long time.
I have an 1980 280 zx, and when I took the car on the road, it would pull to the rught, I mean really going to the right. My struts wher blown out, so I replaced them, and it didn't make a differance, besides the cushion of the bumps. I then climed under the car, and tried to ajust the tow on the right side just a little bit, and then it started going to the right worse. I don''t know what the problem is, because the car isn't registerd, and I can't drive enough to get any wear on the tires to see what is happening. Pleas if any one has any clues that I havn't ponders help me with some I deas.

I work at sears automotive so alignments are nothing to me, I mean I can have it Aligned if that Is the only problem. none of the parts are bent so it would have to be a tow problem in my mind, but you guys may know something I don't.

 

Get an alignment. I believe one wheel having more toe out is going to pull hard to that side. It is possible though that the left wheel has too much toe in and the right wheel is straight. That would cause it to still pull to the right.

Alignment! Also, check the specs on the rear. If the rear is lowered or sagging at all, both wheels usually get some toe out back there. I notice some wandering in the rear when i go over bumps. My ZX's rear springs sag and the shocks are weak so I get a lot of travel back there right now.

 

I'm So dissapointed.

Didn't anyone pay attention in my little alignment class?

It's NOT a toe problem.

Read my post in the "Front Camber Issue" thread in this section that explains all that.

Now... cross your two front tires... trust me. Put the right one on the left... left on the right. just jack up the front end and switch the two front tires.

Then go drive it and tell me which way it pulls.

(EDIT) If I were a betting man, I'd say that after you cross the two front tires, it's gonna pull opposite of what it does now. I'd also bet from the sound of it that you probably have a seperated tire, or a tire with a wicked case of radial conicity.

If there's one area I could be considered qualified as an expert, this is it. Of course now that you've been playing with the toe, you're still going to want to get a proper alignment. Just cross those front tire first and tell me what happens.

Rod.

 

I'm so dissapointed Rod.

Of course it's not a TOE problem rod.

t's a TOW problem .

I'm just playin Dust. But I'd take both their advices and get that alignment since messing with the suspension without being able to verify your results through the use of alignment equipment can have an ill handling aftermath.

 

I had a car that pulled to the right once. Yep it was weird though. It only did it after I'd been drinking. I'm serious, that was the only time. It was the weirdest thing. I never could figure that one out. Maybe you could help me out Rod? Any suggestions?

No seriously though, I took my escort over a train track at 45 while drinking one night with a fat woman in the back seat and caught air and snapped the **** out of the rear toe rod and bent the front right control arm. That thing pulled to the right pretty hard(even when I was sobber) and it was the most annoying ****, especially if it was raining(since my tires were always bald from the car being out of alignment). And I was too cheap at the time to buy a new control arm and toe rod (hey I was still in highschool, money was tight )

 

J, you freakin' kill me!

Rod is right. I had a heinous 'alignment' problem. Turned out I had a separated belt on one of my front tires.

It would pull like a fiend to whatever side that tire was on. I didn't figure out what it was until I rotated my tires and the problem promptly moved to the other side of the car.

 

Rod, you are bombdiggityshiznettoblamzam!

 

Werd Dawg! Fo Shizzle. Itslike dis yo... when yo shiznet ain't on da strizate line, n' its startin' tuh bug... its all good y'all, cuz Rod-digga's up in thu hizzy yo. He's all about given the hollaback wit some dope advice G!



(Translated for the Snoop-Dogg impaired):

Thanks Bleach! Anytime somebody has what they think is an alignment or tire issue, feel free to ask and I'll do what I can to help you figure it out.

Rod.

 

Well sounds like you are making logical thoghts, but the tires are new.
I get no wheel hop, and the tools I use is chok, tape measures, strings, and jacks. I am not walking in the dark with my eys closed, I just think the majoir of the problem right now is that I have worn out wheel bearings in the right, and the tie rod end is loos. I figured what the hell I priced inner, and outer tie rod ends, ball joints, and wheel bearings, and it is relatively cheap so I am replacing that and geting an alingment.

with loose tie rod ends, and wore out bearings, it dosn't much matter how much you adjust it wont fix the problem. I have noticed, that somtimes when you just repack the bearings, that they don't act so worn out and seem to tighten up. I don't recamend that thogh.

Thanks again for the wise input. you guys are verry insitefull.

I do actually know how to do alignments on big trucks though like the macks, peter builts, and internationals. you the big stuff.

I was going to post a picture of the cummins ISX I worked on as a joke, and say I was putting it in my zx.

 

Don't let anyone form hybridZ get ahold of that idea or someone might actually try it

I respect a big machine mechanic. Anybody can wrench on a car. But when the wrench is as big as you are it becomes a different ball game I did some heavy machinery maintenane with a buddy of mine a while back. Oh no, not for me. I don't think he had a wratchet wrench smaller than 1inch. And to those thinking no big deal, I'm not talking socket size, I'm talking about the wratchet head. You, compared to the 3/8 we're all so used to. I won't get into the combo wrenches that sucker lugged around (he needed help for a reason, the wrench weighed as much as he did )

 

A very loose tie rod end, would definatly cause a pull or wander. A bad wheel bearing would also. Still, if your pull persists after replacing the tie rod end and checking/fixing the bearings... You still need to consider that it's a tire pull. For one, a brand new tire is very likely to have a "Radial Pull" problem. In the 17 years of owning/operating a tire store, I can't tell you how many brand new tires I had to send back to the manufacturer because of it. Also, Just because there's no wheel hop, doesn't mean it's not a tire issue. You'll only get a hop if the tire has a high spot from being seperated, or is out of balance. If it's a conicty issue, it will ride smooth as glass and still take the steering wheel out of your hands. A good way to determine if it's a bearing... Check for noise. If it makes noise when you turn left, it's the right front bearing going out. If it' makes noise when turning right... it's the left side going bad. If it's a loose tie rod end, you should feel the play in the wheel, you would also notice more resistance when turning to one side, or that the car turns "easier" to one side versus the other. You may be right, but if you don't find or fix the problem your way...

I'd Still try swapping the front two tires side to side before I replaced anything. It only takes a few minutes and you've got nothing to lose. I hope you get it all figured out.

Rod.

 

Thanxs I am going to swap them on saterday.

 

here is the picture of the Isx cummins.

 

So, What's the latest on this Mr. Dust?

Curious to see what you've discovered.

Rod.

 

That is SOOO going into my wifes Saturn. I might have to mount it diagonally though.

 

I work on the big stuff too, and my toolbox is bigger and much more expensive(full, and believe me it is full) than the last three cars I have owned combined. Well, its not bigger than all 3 combined, but it is more expensive for sure!

 

well I boght inner and outer tie rod ends, and next pay day I am going to see about purchasing the cntrole arm, I think I may have a bent peice there. after I have all the parts I figure have one of my co workers do the alignment on it, and balance my tires.