Car pulls to the right
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Car pulls to the right
So its time to address this issue. My car drove down the road nice and straight until I lowered the suspension with lower front springs. I took it in for a complete alignment and was told by the tech that was the best he could do with the issue. So I have been dealing with it for a few years. Now that I have new rear trailing arms and adjustable rear struts I did my own rear wheel alignment and it seemed to help the front a little. But I would still like to fix this problem. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 118
From: Lakemont, GA
Do you happen to know what the specs are on the front? Here are a few things I would try:
- Swap front tires, see if it pulls the other way.
- Get the front alignment specs measured, understand what is causing the pull, my guess would be camber.
- Tubular A-arms have much more adjustability than the stamped ones, maybe time for an upgrade?
- Buy some drop spindles and restore the suspension geometry while keeping your stance.
Good luck!
- Swap front tires, see if it pulls the other way.
- Get the front alignment specs measured, understand what is causing the pull, my guess would be camber.
- Tubular A-arms have much more adjustability than the stamped ones, maybe time for an upgrade?
- Buy some drop spindles and restore the suspension geometry while keeping your stance.
Good luck!
Pro
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
Not that this is your issue, but is your power steering balanced? In my case after full alignment and replaced components, I had a pull to the right. After some advice, I checked the bias and my PS was turning wheels to the right with the car running. Adjusted, and now the car is straight and well planted, all from an adjustment on the PS valve. Before that, I assumed I still had an alignment problem. Prior to the adjustment, I had to hold the wheel (not a lot of force, but some) and could not let go on the road or the car would dart right.
Last edited by JoeMinnesota; Oct 30, 2017 at 02:42 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
Here are the notes from my fix back in early October:
Haggisbash... THANK YOU very much for this sound advice. I jacked up the front, revved the motor a bit, and my steering wheel magically turned to the right. Pulled the front left wheel, got the end cap off the steering valve with a screwdriver. Used a 7/16" (1/4" drive to fit between the lines) socket with extension, re-centered and marked the top of the steering wheel with painters tape so I could see it turn, started the car and let idle, and adjusted the bias. I turned it both directions until I found the two points where the pump would turn the wheels one way or the other (about 5/8 of a turn apart) and turned it back just over a 1/4 turn to the "middle". I never knew about this adjustment - learned something new.
IT IS LIKE A DIFFERENT CAR! Tracks straight down the road and when I turn it no longer "dives" or darts one way or the other. The steering is heavier and the front wheels feel well planted. I absolutely cannot believe how nice it is to drive.
Thanks again. a guy can really find some answers here. And, the best part is not another rebuild or a frame-off to fix the steering!
Haggisbash... THANK YOU very much for this sound advice. I jacked up the front, revved the motor a bit, and my steering wheel magically turned to the right. Pulled the front left wheel, got the end cap off the steering valve with a screwdriver. Used a 7/16" (1/4" drive to fit between the lines) socket with extension, re-centered and marked the top of the steering wheel with painters tape so I could see it turn, started the car and let idle, and adjusted the bias. I turned it both directions until I found the two points where the pump would turn the wheels one way or the other (about 5/8 of a turn apart) and turned it back just over a 1/4 turn to the "middle". I never knew about this adjustment - learned something new.
IT IS LIKE A DIFFERENT CAR! Tracks straight down the road and when I turn it no longer "dives" or darts one way or the other. The steering is heavier and the front wheels feel well planted. I absolutely cannot believe how nice it is to drive.
Thanks again. a guy can really find some answers here. And, the best part is not another rebuild or a frame-off to fix the steering!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I forgot to mention that at the time I lowered it I also replaced the control arm bushings, ball joints, sway bar bushings, and one tie rod end.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
I know you obviously have checked your alignment, but even a small amount of toe-in toe-out error on the rear will make the car try to steer itself. My right side trailing arm front pivot point has the bolt, nut and original equipment shims rusted fast so I can not correct the toe-out condition on the right rear wheel. I was able to get the left side aligned properly, but the right side toe out constantly makes the car want to turn left. Just the opposite of your problem. My winter project is to cut the bolt and shims out so I can properly align the right rear wheel so it does not steer the car like a hook and ladder fire truck. I would check rear wheel alignment off the list of things that might be causing your problem.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
So its time to address this issue. My car drove down the road nice and straight until I lowered the suspension with lower front springs. I took it in for a complete alignment and was told by the tech that was the best he could do with the issue. So I have been dealing with it for a few years. Now that I have new rear trailing arms and adjustable rear struts I did my own rear wheel alignment and it seemed to help the front a little. But I would still like to fix this problem. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
When I replaced my rear trailing arms I replaced the rear shims the same way they were when they were removed.I ran a string down the body and it came out accurate. I then adjusted the strut rods and used a level to get 0 degree. I then drove the car a few different times and check it all again.
But I do believe the pulling issue is being caused by the front with me lowering the ride height.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Here are the notes from my fix back in early October:
Haggisbash... THANK YOU very much for this sound advice. I jacked up the front, revved the motor a bit, and my steering wheel magically turned to the right. Pulled the front left wheel, got the end cap off the steering valve with a screwdriver. Used a 7/16" (1/4" drive to fit between the lines) socket with extension, re-centered and marked the top of the steering wheel with painters tape so I could see it turn, started the car and let idle, and adjusted the bias. I turned it both directions until I found the two points where the pump would turn the wheels one way or the other (about 5/8 of a turn apart) and turned it back just over a 1/4 turn to the "middle". I never knew about this adjustment - learned something new.
IT IS LIKE A DIFFERENT CAR! Tracks straight down the road and when I turn it no longer "dives" or darts one way or the other. The steering is heavier and the front wheels feel well planted. I absolutely cannot believe how nice it is to drive.
Thanks again. a guy can really find some answers here. And, the best part is not another rebuild or a frame-off to fix the steering!
Haggisbash... THANK YOU very much for this sound advice. I jacked up the front, revved the motor a bit, and my steering wheel magically turned to the right. Pulled the front left wheel, got the end cap off the steering valve with a screwdriver. Used a 7/16" (1/4" drive to fit between the lines) socket with extension, re-centered and marked the top of the steering wheel with painters tape so I could see it turn, started the car and let idle, and adjusted the bias. I turned it both directions until I found the two points where the pump would turn the wheels one way or the other (about 5/8 of a turn apart) and turned it back just over a 1/4 turn to the "middle". I never knew about this adjustment - learned something new.
IT IS LIKE A DIFFERENT CAR! Tracks straight down the road and when I turn it no longer "dives" or darts one way or the other. The steering is heavier and the front wheels feel well planted. I absolutely cannot believe how nice it is to drive.
Thanks again. a guy can really find some answers here. And, the best part is not another rebuild or a frame-off to fix the steering!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
For for alignment we would need to check,
1. trust angle
2. toe-in
3. camber
4. caster
and make sure left side vs right side is balanced. They can be out of spec, but if left vs right is balanced it will still run straight, just the tire life will suffer.
But this may also be a good time to learn DIY Alignment techniques to save time and money going to alignment shops that usually don't do all the correct adjustments.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Here are the notes from my fix back in early October:
Haggisbash... THANK YOU very much for this sound advice. I jacked up the front, revved the motor a bit, and my steering wheel magically turned to the right. Pulled the front left wheel, got the end cap off the steering valve with a screwdriver. Used a 7/16" (1/4" drive to fit between the lines) socket with extension, re-centered and marked the top of the steering wheel with painters tape so I could see it turn, started the car and let idle, and adjusted the bias. I turned it both directions until I found the two points where the pump would turn the wheels one way or the other (about 5/8 of a turn apart) and turned it back just over a 1/4 turn to the "middle". I never knew about this adjustment - learned something new.
IT IS LIKE A DIFFERENT CAR! Tracks straight down the road and when I turn it no longer "dives" or darts one way or the other. The steering is heavier and the front wheels feel well planted. I absolutely cannot believe how nice it is to drive.
Thanks again. a guy can really find some answers here. And, the best part is not another rebuild or a frame-off to fix the steering!
Haggisbash... THANK YOU very much for this sound advice. I jacked up the front, revved the motor a bit, and my steering wheel magically turned to the right. Pulled the front left wheel, got the end cap off the steering valve with a screwdriver. Used a 7/16" (1/4" drive to fit between the lines) socket with extension, re-centered and marked the top of the steering wheel with painters tape so I could see it turn, started the car and let idle, and adjusted the bias. I turned it both directions until I found the two points where the pump would turn the wheels one way or the other (about 5/8 of a turn apart) and turned it back just over a 1/4 turn to the "middle". I never knew about this adjustment - learned something new.
IT IS LIKE A DIFFERENT CAR! Tracks straight down the road and when I turn it no longer "dives" or darts one way or the other. The steering is heavier and the front wheels feel well planted. I absolutely cannot believe how nice it is to drive.
Thanks again. a guy can really find some answers here. And, the best part is not another rebuild or a frame-off to fix the steering!
So nice to have the car drive straight.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019