funny handling

[james]

i have a p2 renualt 19 1.4 hatch, when driving it it seems to sometimes pull to the left.

the tracking is spot on and has been checked by two different people, both lower ball joints and both track rod ends have been changed.

what could be causing this to happen. the front tyres (avon) are getting near the wear markers.

please help

cheers james

[Chris H]

are the tyres wearing evenly?

is it a pull or a drift to the left?

[james]

tyres seem to be wearing evenly.
well would tend to say more of a pull but think it could probably be both, have not driven it for a while me girl friend drives it normally

[Chris H]

check again and make sure its just not doing it due to the road camber.

[james]

well i dont think it does it due to road camber it been doing it for a few months. and that includes long trips on all sorts of roads.

when you asked if it pulled or drifted what were you thinking

[Chris H]

pulls front end drift is either camber or the rear

[james]

ok fairy snuff. will drive it again this week and try give a better discription. it just seems to pull randomly whilst driving and makes it horrible to drive other than round town.

thanks for the info much appreciated

[Chris H]

check the balljoints then, might need a shaft replaced as well.

[james]

ok, been out this morning all looks good, there was no playin the ball joints or trackrod ends, they are only about 6 months old.

if it needs a new drive shaft would it not be making funny noises whilst driving

[Chris H]

not always

[james]

cool beans will have another gander at the front agian, what am i looking for on the drive shafts, there are no split gaitors so just have a good feel a guess.

with the ball joints how would i test them whip them off the car?

[Chris H]

balljoints with the car on the ground get a lever in to them.

driveshaft is trickier.

I have had a few where the shafts fine but the steering swings 1 way strongly then back the other way at 70 +, Shaft appeared perfect but I knew it was the shaft.

[james]

thats kind of what mine does your driving along fine then all of a suden it will just pull mainly to the left.

would that be a left hand drive shaft then?


like you said it does it more at higher speeds

[Chris H]

if it only pulls 1 way I would be inclined to say its not a shaft, not ruling it out totally.

It could be so many thing, even swap the tyres with each other see if it then pulls to the right or straightens out.

[james]

well you saythat was gonna try swaping the tyres, cos some one said when the avons start getting worn they start to wander