2005-2014 Mustangs Discussions on the latest S197 model Mustangs from Ford.

Car pulls a little to the right...worth worrying about?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 09:40 PM
  #1  
ThaiCobra's Avatar
ThaiCobra
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 906
From:
Default Car pulls a little to the right...worth worrying about?

so if i am driving on a flat road, and i let go of the wheel, the car drifts to the right, and after about 400/500 yards I would be off the road if I don't grab the wheel and correct.

Is this an alignment issue? tire balancing issue?

Is this even worth worrying about/bringing to a shop? I've heard from a few people that no matter what you do, a car will always drift a little to the right or left...that it's a losing battle
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 09:59 PM
  #2  
candymanjl's Avatar
candymanjl
4th Gear Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,190
From: Florida
Default

is the road perfectly flat? most roads are crowned to the outsides to keep water from building up on the road when it rains. that crown will usually be enough to have the car pull to the outside a little. that could be it and also check you tire pressures.
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 10:14 PM
  #3  
ThaiCobra's Avatar
ThaiCobra
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 906
From:
Default

tire pressure even in all 4 tires.
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 10:21 PM
  #4  
Charlie321's Avatar
Charlie321
2nd Gear Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 435
Default

Alignment.
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 10:24 PM
  #5  
5SPD07GT's Avatar
5SPD07GT
Official Site Sponsor
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,532
From: WV
Default

Originally Posted by ThaiCobra
tire pressure even in all 4 tires.

my thoughts exactly.
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 10:49 PM
  #6  
pascal's Avatar
pascal
S197 Section Modder-ator
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 13,373
From: Orlando FL
Default

Try to drive on the left side of the road and see if the car pulls to the left, lol.

A good test is a mall parking lot at night...
It's most likely flat and you should have enough room to do it, so you can see if the car really pulls.
On most roads, you have to expect a slight right pull for reasons already stated by candymanjl though.
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 11:58 PM
  #7  
Art161's Avatar
Art161
4th Gear Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,495
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by pascal
A good test is a mall parking lot at night...
It's most likely flat and you should have enough room to do it, so you can see if the car really pulls.
I agree. I think the best way to do this is to take your hands off the steering wheel. Let's assume the car pulls to the right. Then turn around and go on the same path, but in the opposite direction. It the car still pulls to the right, you have eliminated the road surface as a cause of the pulling.
Old Jun 17, 2009 | 11:42 AM
  #8  
illini4's Avatar
illini4
1st Gear Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 94
Default

The most likely causes of pulling to one side are alignment (caster) or a bad tire. You can determine if it's a tire by criss-crossing the front tires and driving to see if the pull is now in the opposite direction. If tires aren't the problem, have an alignment done. Most modern cars don't have caster adjustment, but kits or work-arounds are usually available.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
djbigskrilla
2005-2014 Mustangs
24
Sep 20, 2022 01:04 AM
mirandaandjimmy
4.6L V8 Technical Discussions
20
Nov 16, 2015 08:51 AM
algregory
4.6L V8 Technical Discussions
5
Sep 6, 2015 05:52 PM
92 5.0stang
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
4
Aug 13, 2015 06:46 AM
Milan Dragway
Members Rides and Car Show Section
0
Aug 12, 2015 03:43 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:06 AM.