Was driving home from work today and the car started randomly pulling to the left every so often, mainly when turning a left hand corner but occasionally in a straight line as well.

Only difference to my normal driving was that I had the stereo turned up much higher than I normally would. Wondered if maybe the extra drain on the battery/alternator would affect the power steering in wierd and wonderful ways?

Edit: I've checked the tyre wear and tyre pressures and everything is ok there

Eklipze3k said:

the car started randomly pulling to the left every so often, mainly when turning a left hand corner

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:chin:

Benjammo said:

:chin:

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Aye aye smart arse

benjammo said:

:chin:

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:d

hmmm.... only difference I've noticed is if I crank the stereo up too much the revs drop a little more than usual on idle... probably a mild alternator issue? - Never affected my power steering though.

Would have thought that either your tracking is out a little, or perhaps wheel balencing? - you could have easily shedded a weight or two by accident...

ronnieronson said:

hmmm.... only difference I've noticed is if I crank the stereo up too much the revs drop a little more than usual on idle... probably a mild alternator issue? - Never affected my power steering though.

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I only put that as a possible cause as it was the only thing I could think that was different to normal, despite how unlikely it is to cause an issue ...

ronnieronson said:

Would have thought that either your tracking is out a little, or perhaps wheel balencing? - you could have easily shedded a weight or two by accident...

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I never considered that I may have lost a weight or two, tbth I've never even had the wheels off the car in the 6 months that I've owned her so tomorrow could be the first time.

Could be a possible slow puncture, when I say I checked the tyres that was on Tuesday when I got back from Glasgow so could have picked something up on the way home from work. Will have to have a proper look in the morning I guess ...

It won't affect the power steering. The powersteering motors adn sensor may have gone faulty though. Pull the main fuse and see if it still pulls (steering will be heavy)

I doubt a shedded weight would make it pull, just vibrate.

Check a disk or drum hasn't bound on, and take it in for a full tracking setup jsut to rule it out

Eklipze3k said:

I only put that as a possible cause as it was the only thing I could think that was different to normal, despite how unlikely it is to cause an issue ...



I never considered that I may have lost a weight or two, tbth I've never even had the wheels off the car in the 6 months that I've owned her so tomorrow could be the first time.

Could be a possible slow puncture, when I say I checked the tyres that was on Tuesday when I got back from Glasgow so could have picked something up on the way home from work. Will have to have a proper look in the morning I guess ...

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Its unlikely to be a shed weight this would cause a wobble through the wheel not a constant pull, more likely to be the tracking.

i'd jack the car up on the left, and spin the left front wheel, feel for any grinding or strange points of resistance. if theres nothing, try the back left, it could be the start of the actuator jamming now and then.

not certain, but possibly could also be a wheel cylinder fault.

if theres no grinding or vibration, and its an intermitent fault, i doubt its tracking, but whilst at the front, i'd take the wheel off and have a look for anything loose or bent.

im having a similar problem with mines pulling to the right, except it is a wheel resistance issue, i just cant find the point of problem!!! it does it totaly randomly with bits of it on or off :bang:

hand brake sticking???

Didn't get a chance to jack her up this morning (slept in ) so will have to leave it until monday but will try the suggestions above.

And @ brooky, no, handbrake feels fine

Driving to and from work today she didn't seem to have any issues so may have just been "one of those things" ... will give her a good look over on Monday anyway though ...

ronnieronson said:

hmmm.... only difference I've noticed is if I crank the stereo up too much the revs drop a little more than usual on idle... probably a mild alternator issue? - Never affected my power steering though.

Would have thought that either your tracking is out a little, or perhaps wheel balencing? - you could have easily shedded a weight or two by accident...

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At least you guys have power steering!! lol

eMz said:

At least you guys have power steering!! lol

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Just one more thing to go wrong though innit

Well, I removed all mine, better without

lol, well they decided to introduce the power steering a couple of years after my car..! Used to it now though.. just hate being in tight spaces and having to get out lol!