172 Cup pulling to left

[172CupHGA]

Hi,

My 172 Cup pulls to the left. I have had it aligned 4 times and the problem persists. All suspension components are straight, tight, and there are no knocks or bangs. Tires are less than a year old. No accidents or kerb strikes.

I have three theories and was wondering if anyone else has had similar issue:

1. ARB bushes - these are cracked and need replacement.

2. Play in steering rack - A garage told me there is a minimal amount of play in the steering rack itself. I cannot replicate this on my mini-ramps.

3. Poor alignment - I don't think this is the case as I have used 4 different centres and the car always reverts to pulling to the left.

Has anyone else had a similar issue and can advise on the symptoms of worn ARB bushes and rack?

Thanks.

 

[Matt Cup]

Steering rack bushes could also be a factor.

 

[npt]

Fix anything that's worn first like the rack arms, or could be a slightly sticky caliper

 

[172CupHGA]

Thanks for the replies. The car has been gone over multiple times and no obvious worn or knocking parts. The springs , dampers, and top mounts were all replaced 3 months ago and the calipers rebuilt in the last month. These things needed doing anyway but have not stopped the car pulling.

Sounds like start with the bushes and work up to rack if they don't cure it.

 

[Myfanwyi Saunfire]

Thanks for the replies. The car has been gone over multiple times and no obvious worn or knocking parts. The springs , dampers, and top mounts were all replaced 3 months ago and the calipers rebuilt in the last month. These things needed doing anyway but have not stopped the car pulling.

Sounds like start with the bushes and work up to rack if they don't cure it.

Do you have the alignment print outs? If so, post them up.

My guess is probably rear beam. There never exactly set square and as they're non adjustable without shims - it's normally a culprit.
Will throw the thrust angle out - which affects steer ahead - making the car pull one way.

Rack bushes would make it feel like it was pulling from one side to the other - wouldn't just make it pull one way.

ARB, doubtful.

Try describing how it pulls left. Is it only under load/acceleration? Does it pull back to the right under braking?

 

[172CupHGA]

Do you have the alignment print outs? If so, post them up.

My guess is probably rear beam. There never exactly set square and as they're non adjustable without shims - it's normally a culprit.
Will throw the thrust angle out - which affects steer ahead - making the car pull one way.

Rack bushes would make it feel like it was pulling from one side to the other - wouldn't just make it pull one way.

ARB, doubtful.

Try describing how it pulls left. Is it only under load/acceleration? Does it pull back to the right under braking?

The pull is slightly more pronounced under acceleration but not by much. The arc is fairly consistent. The car needs constant right input to keep it pointing down the road.

 

[Myfanwyi Saunfire]

The pull is slightly more pronounced under acceleration but not by much. The arc is fairly consistent. The car needs constant right input to keep it pointing down the road.

Post the alignments you've had done 👍

 

[pepinosport]

Budget tyres? I would start there if the rest is sound as you said.

 

[ex-Chinese Dave]

Any previous accident damage that could have bent anything?

 

[Shrab86]

Try checking the bottom ball joint holes. Mines were elongated. Had it in bits loads and that’s what it turned out to be

 

[MLB]

When has it had the rear shocks replaced last? That really affected the handling on mine, even just going down the motorway it couldn't keep a straight line.

 

[RallyXmad]

I do motorsport alignments (and done a fair few Clios) for a living and the 2 most common problems I've found when people set up cars are that they don't use ballast to simulate driver / passenger weight when aligning, and using steering wheel clamps to hold the wheel in place when adjusting, instead of re-centring the wheel after each adjustment.

Everyone in this industry has their own opinion on how to do things and why, but I've found both of these do make a difference to the accuracy of setting a car up.

If your car has been set up with ballast and without a steering wheel clamp then thrust angle is the most likely, but would need to see alignment sheet to confirm.

 

[172CupHGA]

Sorry, can't find any alignment printouts atm.

Replaced the steering rack and this has made an improvement but the problem persists.

I still have play in the top mounts, even though I had OE replacements fitted in the summer. I have noticed that the passenger side top mount (the side with the play) sits about 1 cm prouder than the driver's side. This is despite the same number of threads showing. What could cause this? A poorly seated cup?

 

[Matt Cup]

Are you sure all the bits of the top mounts are there and in the right order?

What top mount parts do I need?

Picked up a set of used OEM front struts which are complete except for one of the caps that sits on top of the turret. Trying to work out what parts I need. I have one cap which is the new style. But the lower top mount portion seems to be the old style? I have no sandwich plate or long metal...

cliosport.net

 

[172CupHGA]

What is the right order for OE?

 

[Matt Cup]

I’ll be honest it’s been a while since I replaced mine. I’m sure someone else can chime in.

 

[claire939]

Hi,

My 172 Cup pulls to the left. I have had it aligned 4 times and the problem persists. All suspension components are straight, tight, and there are no knocks or bangs. Tires are less than a year old. No accidents or kerb strikes.

I have three theories and was wondering if anyone else has had similar issue:

1. ARB bushes - these are cracked and need replacement.

2. Play in steering rack - A garage told me there is a minimal amount of play in the steering rack itself. I cannot replicate this on my mini-ramps.

3. Poor alignment - I don't think this is the case as I have used 4 different centres and the car always reverts to pulling to the left.

Has anyone else had a similar issue and can advise on the symptoms of worn ARB bushes and rack?

Thanks.

That sort of constant pull is almost always tyre related. Swap the front tyres left to right and see if the pull changes, radial pull will not show on an alignment sheet and can happen even with fairly new tyres.

Worn ARB bushes usually cause knocks or vague feel under load, not a steady pull. Rack wear shows as a dead spot around centre, not a bias to one side. Also worth checking for a slightly dragging brake on the left and that the subframe is properly centred.

 

[172CupHGA]

That's a really interesting point - the issue did arise about the time I had 4 PS3s fitted last year. I'll swap the fronts tomorrow and see what difference it makes.