Steering pulling.

[AlexS]

As mentioned in my other thread (http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185542) i managed to bump a kerb whilst avoiding an oncoming taxi on my side of the road.
I thought the car was ok apart from the kerbing to the wheel etc, but it appears the steering now feels heavier turning it to the left (the offside wheel hit the kerb). Any ideas? Could this be the tracking or have I bent something :dapprove: .

 

[TomTom]

Get it jacked up mate starting checking stuff. Wishbone/bushes/buckled wheel etc etc

Try a garage that does tracking if your unsure

 

[G_F]

Take the wheel off first and take a look, post pictures if you want so everyone else can.

I would be getting the tracking done next if you can not see a fault, as its the cheapest option.

 

[christurbo]

1] jack car up

2] spin wheel around checking for a buckle - it should be dead stright.

3] if above is straigh take off wheel

4] check the suspension links, and components for bending, cracks, etc

5] shake/pull on the suspension joints - there should be little play

6] check your track rod for damage.

Is there any vibration through the wheel?

if all above seems OK your tracking/geo has probably been knocked out - so it it all checked out and aligned.

I have done the same as you and it proved to be the alloy rim [point 2].

 

[AlexS]

I ve swapped the front wheels with the back since, the only damage to the wheel was curbing so that eliminates the wheel as there is effectively two new ones on the front.
All the suspension links look ok to me although im no expert, im going to take i to get the tracking checked on Monday. No vibration through the wheel really, and the track rods look ok. Cheers for your help guys.

 

[number1]

Offside? dont you mean nearside surely? (nearside to the kerb) probably need the tracking done.

Dave

 

[AlexS]

Offside? dont you mean nearside surely? (nearside to the kerb) probably need the tracking done.

Dave

I think ive got in a muddle! its the wheel nearest to the kerb you are right! Im hoping its just the tracking!

 

[AlexS]

Right had the tracking checked today and its spot on, top marks for Hi Q /Mr tyre in Nottingham for not charging me.
Still felt odd and drifted towards the kerb so took it to Sunwin Renault. Mechanic took it for a spin with me and agreed it had a mind of its own. Got it up on the ramps checked and they checked the suspension, shocks, steering etc and it all seemed fine none of it was bent of damaged. They were at a loss as to what was causing it, since the incident I had swapped the front wheels with the back so we decided to swap them back to see if it made any difference. It appears to be back to normal now with the wheels in their original configuration. This suggests that one of the back tyres is dodgy -they are both 1month/ 1000 mile old Toyo Proxes. Where do I stand on this, should I contact the company who I bought the wheel and tyre package from?
Also top marks to Sunwin Nottingham, they were messing about with the car for an hour and half checked it over on the ramp, took it for a test run before and after changing the wheels round, and didn't charge me either.

 

[AlexS]

bump

 

[AlexS]

bump

 

[edde]

Contact the tyre compnay it sounds like its there or the place which hasn't balenced the wheels properly at fault.

 

[AlexS]

Contact the tyre compnay it sounds like its there or the place which hasn't balenced the wheels properly at fault.

Cheers edde, so you agree with Renaults diagnosis, i must admit it was sceptical but its mint underneith nothing bent tracking bang on and it deffo feels much better with the wheels in the correct configuration, the mechanic and the gf agree. How much to balence a wheel? I bought the wheels and tyres as an online package deal and they were meant to come pre-balenced..... Might have to get on the phone tommorow.

 

[edde]

Contact the tyre compnay it sounds like its there or the place which hasn't balenced the wheels properly at fault.

Cheers edde, so you agree with Renaults diagnosis, i must admit it was sceptical but its mint underneith nothing bent tracking bang on and it deffo feels much better with the wheels in the correct configuration, the mechanic and the gf agree. How much to balence a wheel? I bought the wheels and tyres as an online package deal and they were meant to come pre-balenced..... Might have to get on the phone tommorow.

Only a few quid to ballance a wheel.
Its easy to ballance one doesn't mean you cannot mess it up though.

 

[AlexS]

Took it to the tyre centre this morning and apparently theres no point balencing aftermarket wheels as they all come slightly buckled and are not as well made as standard. Apparently its common practise to keep the better of the two wheels on the front and keep them there rather than swapping them around to wear the tyres evenly. Is this true or is he full of s**t?

 

[Saner]

s**t

 

[AlexS]

Right well ive booked for a 4 wheel alignment check for tommorow we will have to see what they say. http://www.alignment-services.co.uk