Au Ute pulls left, replaced BJs and bushes, still pulls left

shayne93 · 19-01-2012, 09:51 PM

My AU3 ute pulled left, i took it for an alignment at fulcrum and was advised that all the bushes and left bottom bj were shot, so you had to hold the steering wheel about 30 degrees right to steer straight on highway. so I replaced all front bushes and ball joints.

Ive taken it to an alignment shop, *such and such* tyre and alignment, on the highway it still pulls agressively left, not as bad but still very bad, but if you have the steering wheel dead ahead, it goes straight ahead, just don't let go of it, or you're in a ditch.

Anyway, do I need a camber kit so the front of the left top control arm can be shimmed to bring the top BJ back? the alignment bloke recons he just cant get enough left pos caster and the bottom ball joint needs to come forward.

I've got a 66 Mustang and tbh, these AU's seem to have the same amount of adjustment as the early mustangs/falcons stock, can only be adjusted from top arm, XY falcons had more adjustment, with top and bottom control arms as well as caster bars.

So anyway, what is my best bet to fix?

T3man · 19-01-2012, 11:03 PM

What's the full story? Have you just bought it and it's always done it? Or has it just suddenly developed? It is caused by something that has happened slowly or suddenly over a period in time and the more you can tell us the better.

svo supporter · 19-01-2012, 11:35 PM

It may be a Caster problem...It maybe a camber problem.....It may be another problem. If you have a report to post, that'd be a good starting point.

shayne93 · 20-01-2012, 06:58 AM

It has always done it since I have had it (8 months).
I asked for the report but apparently their printer was broken, I'm not sure what to think there.
The bloke at the alignment joint recons he just couldn't get enough left positive castor out of it.

The Monty · 20-01-2012, 07:38 AM

Id say old accident damage, bent stub axle.

T3man · 20-01-2012, 07:57 AM

sounds like it could be ... or bent arms/misaligned frame. Worn ball joints won't cause that severe a pull on the wheel. Also try changing your front wheels from left to right as it may be a badly worn tyre on one side causing it.

shayne93 · 20-01-2012, 08:07 AM

I'll try that, I just had a look and there's at least 10 mill of thread left on the left top control arm thread, but apparently no more adjustment??? Gee, svo supporter's signature is starting to make sence haha :p

shayne93 · 20-01-2012, 10:09 AM

I have swapped the front wheels around, no joy :(

svo supporter · 20-01-2012, 07:38 PM

10MM of thread = 1 1/2 degrees of more caster can be added.

Then we can look at the right hand side to reduce caster to help the car drive straight.

So I'll leave it upto you how much the place is pulling your leg about adjustment. (Hint, lazy seems to spring to mind).

Bugger about no report. That'd help me help you immensley.

I quite often find, that because the radius rod has slight bends in them, they straighten out, from parking against the concrete blocks that are located in car parks. When they straighten out, this reduces the caster on the left first(because the lefthand wheel is further forward than the right), therefore creates the drift, or pull that alot of Falcon and Commodore owners experience. IMA, just adding in Commodores, just so people don't think I'm singling out Falcons.

It doesn't necessarily need to be a big wack, but over a period of time, constant bumping of these blocks causes this to occur.

Of course people won't agree with this statement, but I'm putting it out there from my personal experience dealing with these exact issues.

shayne93 · 20-01-2012, 08:50 PM

Maybe I should seek a wheel alignment from Fulcrum. And I wasn't aware these things had radius rods.

svo supporter · 20-01-2012, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shayne93

Maybe I should seek a wheel alignment from Fulcrum. And I wasn't aware these things had radius rods.

Get an alignment where ever you feel comfortable, providing you get a printout. Once you've got a printout, post it and then things might become clearer and I maybe able to help further.

Sox · 21-01-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svo supporter

10MM of thread = 1 1/2 degrees of more caster can be added.

Then we can look at the right hand side to reduce caster to help the car drive straight.

So I'll leave it upto you how much the place is pulling your leg about adjustment. (Hint, lazy seems to spring to mind).

Bugger about no report. That'd help me help you immensley.

I quite often find, that because the radius rod has slight bends in them, they straighten out, from parking against the concrete blocks that are located in car parks. When they straighten out, this reduces the caster on the left first(because the lefthand wheel is further forward than the right), therefore creates the drift, or pull that alot of Falcon and Commodore owners experience. IMA, just adding in Commodores, just so people don't think I'm singling out Falcons.

It doesn't necessarily need to be a big wack, but over a period of time, constant bumping of these blocks causes this to occur.

Of course people won't agree with this statement, but I'm putting it out there from my personal experience dealing with these exact issues.

It's pretty hard to agree with you, considering AU's don't have radius rods.
I can't see the the lower control arm bending anytime soon because of bumping into parking blocks.

Though I do agree with the rest of your post.

**Mechan1k** · 21-01-2012, 09:15 AM

Get another alignment and report done elsewhere ... and see how it goes.
That's about the only thing I can think of at the moment.