Technical doesnt accelerate in a straight line??

[Bushboy]

been noticing recently that the tipo pulls to the left if you accelerate hard. I know the tracking isnt perfectly straight (as a little out to the left) and so im assumeing its just that but i thought i would ask anyway.

basicly if you accelerate hard, the steering wheel will jerk to the left. its brakes in a straight line and the steering stays still when accelerating slowly (normal speed).

any ideas? or is it likely to just be becuase of the tracking?

 

[Fast Finger]

Sounds daft, but my last car did this just due to the difference in tread on the tires, less grip on the left meant the back (rear wheel drive) stepped out when you floored it. Interesting round corners

 

[joecinq]

I reckon mark's right, the tread on the tyres could cause that. Especially if it is only when accelerating hard.

 

[Bushboy]

tread looks good on both fronts.. backs are a little different but its a fwd.

 

[Fast Finger]

Do the drive shafts look ok and when driving normally does the area near the gearbox produce a whining noise?

 

[Bushboy]

nope no odd noises.. nothing. drive shafts are fine as far as i can see. i havent really looked and wouldnt know what to look for but i dont get any odd noises and there not hanging out or broken atall etc.

 

[Fast Finger]

Do you have string tied from your right foot to your left hand, that would do it

 

[joecinq]

mark, you were doing so well

 

[custard]

checked the balljoints?

 

[Fast Finger]

checked the balljoints?

Ah yes. So when you accelarate, your ball joints ache causing you to lean to the left, hence the poor steering!

 

[Bushboy]

well i do get a knocking from the left side front wheel when i go over bumps.. could that be ball joint related?

dunno if its related atall but if you wheel spin (accidentaly of course) front stand still.. the front end will sort of jump... ital basicly jump until the ground catches up with the wheels. bad explanation but its the best i can think of anything to do with dodgy ball joints?

 

[Fast Finger]

If your getting a knocking it could be the ball joits, it could also be the wishbone.

Check underneath and give everything a good pull to see what moves. Sounds barbaric, but itll work.

 

[Bushboy]

wheels on or off the ground?

 

[Fast Finger]

Off will make it easier as more movement will be evadent.

 

[Trancendental]

My Tipo does this sometimes, but the direction in which the steering wheel turns is random and sometimes after say its pulled left, on correcting it, it will immediatley pull right, just like if my motor were really powerful... like a rally car or something

I think sometimes the front left and right wheels get different torque for some reason. it can really catch you off guard.

 

[Bushboy]

it does seem really random tbh.. doesnt happen everytime

 

[sumplug]

this is caused proberly by a worn track rod end.you will notice the inner tyre will wear quickly.basically,its letting the wheel move outwards slightly.also suspect wishbone.a modified version was fitted on later models.easy job to fit both.

 

[Hellcat]

Give everything a pull and kick around to see if you get any movement. You might want to try taking the weight off the wheels but still have them in contact with the ground or you'll be pushing against the springs and you wont see any movement.

Believe me the wishbone rubbers can be buggered and it wont show until you take them off. Well worth replacing if you are planning to keep the car.

 

[sumplug]

the way to test a wishbone is with a good strong bar.lever it against the wish bone and give it a twist.if it moves much,bushes are knackered.if one side is knackered,the other will not be far behind.

 

[Hellcat]

I found its the rear bushes that go.. The front ones seem to survive better. New ones can be picked up for around 25quid