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Why does my car pull to the left?

Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:32 PM
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Question Why does my car pull to the left?

I've tried the search, but didn't really get an answer. Here is my problem:
When I drive on straight roades (seemingly, of course not all roads are perfecty straight) in order for me to drive straight, I have to keep the wheel turned slightly to the left. Its not much, but definately enough to annoy me at times, especially, when the roads looks straight and grooveless. I understand that not all roads are straight and many roads have grooves that the car (the Z especially) will pick up and you have to adjust with the steering wheel accordingly. Assuming that the road is even and I still have to turn the wheel to the left to go straight, what can possibly be the issue? I want to be as prepared before I go to the dealer with this problem.
Thanks for all the input.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:40 PM
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Get an alignment? lol...
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:59 PM
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get an alignment and you should be fine.

I once hit the side of the freeway with my civic and in order to keep my steering wheel straight, it had to be turned almost half way to the left. Got an alignment and problem solved.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:02 PM
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After an alignment mines still has issues
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:05 PM
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steering wheel is off centered?
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Zexy
After an alignment mines still has issues
If your car is within specs, no suspension damage (this prob not the case since you got an alignment) and the steering wheel is straight then you might have radial pull from your tires.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Zexy
After an alignment mines still has issues
the car's new. less then 3K miles on it. Picked it up from the dealership and I know they don't do what they're suppose to. Before pick up they're suppose to check for balancing and allignment and they don't. Anyhow, I had the same issue on my Mazda 6, however the problem was much worse. I had a wheel allignment and it didn't go away. Matter of fact, before the wheel allighnment it pulled left and after the allignment, the car pulled right. LOL. it was weird. that's why I'm asking to have as much info as possible just in case the problem persists.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by BYL
the car's new. less then 3K miles on it. Picked it up from the dealership and I know they don't do what they're suppose to. Before pick up they're suppose to check for balancing and allignment and they don't. Anyhow, I had the same issue on my Mazda 6, however the problem was much worse. I had a wheel allignment and it didn't go away. Matter of fact, before the wheel allighnment it pulled left and after the allignment, the car pulled right. LOL. it was weird. that's why I'm asking to have as much info as possible just in case the problem persists.
Balancing a tire has nothing to do with the car pulling. What you are describing sounds like radial pull.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 02:16 PM
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Correcting your title. "Why does my car pull to the RIGHT". Check you air pressure too.
If your alignment and air pressure checks out, make 'em recenter your steering wheel. I ran into this problem years ago and had to huff and puff until they fixed it. They have to loosen the tie-rods and center the wheel. Ask them to allow you to center the wheel, that way you get it where you want it.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 06:02 PM
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Dammit people "mine" not mines

Sorry just a pet peeve
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by turismo
Dammit people "mine" not mines

Sorry just a pet peeve
Careful. You don't want it to blow up in your face! (get it? mines. Hah! I kill me.)
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 07:49 PM
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one of your arms is shorter than the other, thus it is constantly turning the wheel without you realizing it.

stop turning the wheel and you will go straight.
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