Frame check versus front bushings
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Frame check versus front bushings
My '75 pulls slightly to right, during braking, coasting or acceleration. My question is where to start troubleshooting. I have recently had the tires balanced. Do I need to check the frame first or replace the frt end bushings and get it aligned? I don't know if it had been in any accidents or not.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
My '75 pulls slightly to right, during braking, coasting or acceleration. My question is where to start troubleshooting. I have recently had the tires balanced. Do I need to check the frame first or replace the frt end bushings and get it aligned? I don't know if it had been in any accidents or not.
Look at your tire wear pattern. Are the tires wearing evenly inside vs outside. If not you have an alignment problem or steering with worn parts problem.
check the complete steering parts for play.
Tie rods, ball joints , wheel bearings , suspension bushings etc.
Then check brake pads (dry no fluid leaks) / calipers for leaks / rotor for unusual wear.
If the steering suspension checks out, alignment can be verified by tire wear and does it drive nice and straight with very little steering adjustments on nice flat road.
If both check out then it could be a brake pad \rotor or air in the caliper problem on one side. (bleed to fix / check)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
My 70 used to pull to the right. Had it aligned a few times, nothing seemed to help. Some time later, when I replaced my tires, problem went away.
I think what happened was I rebuilt the front end, drove it a while before getting around to having it aligned. Doing so may have caused a belt shift?
Some suggested swapping left - right wheels, see if the direction of pull changes. I can't say whether this would work, never tried it.
I think what happened was I rebuilt the front end, drove it a while before getting around to having it aligned. Doing so may have caused a belt shift?
Some suggested swapping left - right wheels, see if the direction of pull changes. I can't say whether this would work, never tried it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
My 70 used to pull to the right. Had it aligned a few times, nothing seemed to help. Some time later, when I replaced my tires, problem went away.
I think what happened was I rebuilt the front end, drove it a while before getting around to having it aligned. Doing so may have caused a belt shift?
Some suggested swapping left - right wheels, see if the direction of pull changes. I can't say whether this would work, never tried it.
I think what happened was I rebuilt the front end, drove it a while before getting around to having it aligned. Doing so may have caused a belt shift?
Some suggested swapping left - right wheels, see if the direction of pull changes. I can't say whether this would work, never tried it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Make sure your tire pressure is equal in all tires to start with. Measure tread depth for consistent wear on all tires.
Look at your tire wear pattern. Are the tires wearing evenly inside vs outside. If not you have an alignment problem or steering with worn parts problem.
check the complete steering parts for play.
Tie rods, ball joints , wheel bearings , suspension bushings etc.
Then check brake pads (dry no fluid leaks) / calipers for leaks / rotor for unusual wear.
If the steering suspension checks out, alignment can be verified by tire wear and does it drive nice and straight with very little steering adjustments on nice flat road.
If both check out then it could be a brake pad \rotor or air in the caliper problem on one side. (bleed to fix / check)
Look at your tire wear pattern. Are the tires wearing evenly inside vs outside. If not you have an alignment problem or steering with worn parts problem.
check the complete steering parts for play.
Tie rods, ball joints , wheel bearings , suspension bushings etc.
Then check brake pads (dry no fluid leaks) / calipers for leaks / rotor for unusual wear.
If the steering suspension checks out, alignment can be verified by tire wear and does it drive nice and straight with very little steering adjustments on nice flat road.
If both check out then it could be a brake pad \rotor or air in the caliper problem on one side. (bleed to fix / check)
Recently did brake hose replacement. Didn't see any leaks or strange pad/rotor wear.
Nothing seemed loose but all frt end seems to be original so there is that chance the bushings are causing it. Just don't want to rebuild frt end and ruin new parts if thoughts was frame issue!
