My 80 is pulling hard right
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
My 80 is pulling hard right
My new toy (1980 L-82) is pulling hard right while rolling down the road(as opposed to under braking). I had the alignment checked, which they say is dead-on. Just had all 4 brake calipers replaced because two of them were a mess and I figured if 2 were a mess the others couldn't be far behind (original calipers). The folks who replaced the calipers for me said they can't see any reason why it would be pulling right and to take it somewhere else to have the alignment checked. They say the tires look good, suspension looks solid, etc.
Any idears what to start looking for?
Any idears what to start looking for?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Agreed..... could be your culprit.
Easy way to check.... jack up the front... carefully start the car... see if your wheels start to turn on their own. If so... PS valve is not centered. Easy fix.
Mine did exactly the same thing. Same symptom
Easy way to check.... jack up the front... carefully start the car... see if your wheels start to turn on their own. If so... PS valve is not centered. Easy fix.
Mine did exactly the same thing. Same symptom
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
the fact that it disappears under braking leads me to think that the right caliper is dragging. Check the rubber line for balloning, the balloon will try to relax when there's no braking pressure, forcing the piston and pads onthe rotor and creating friction, this will make the car pull to one side. Also check if the crimped ends are not rusting (collapsing the line) and check the caliper for sticking pistons. If it was steering related it'd also do it when on the brakes.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by Chumpzilla
Agreed..... could be your culprit.
Easy way to check.... jack up the front... carefully start the car... see if your wheels start to turn on their own. If so... PS valve is not centered. Easy fix.
Mine did exactly the same thing. Same symptom
Easy way to check.... jack up the front... carefully start the car... see if your wheels start to turn on their own. If so... PS valve is not centered. Easy fix.
Mine did exactly the same thing. Same symptom
Twin Turbo - I never said it was any different under braking than otherwise. Braking, not braking, all seems the same. I had the brakes serviced today and they are performing very well.
After changing the valve cover gaskets and the brake calipers she's gone from a smelly, scary beast to drive to a fun girl wtih the T-Tops down on a gorgeous evening in central Ohio!
Thanks for the quick feedback folks, I'll let ya know what I find.
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&amp;quot;Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
I Agree... After getting my new brakes / calipers... had the left one dragging. Found that the line was twisted. Fix it and the problem went away.
Also, when I changed my power steering control valve it needed to be adjusted which was simple as all of you noted. Only question is if this could go out of aling if he didn't change it? I would look for a dragging brake caliper. When it's up...and if the steering doesn't turn to the right due to the power steering control valve...then spin the right front wheel and see if you have significant drag vs left.
Also, when I changed my power steering control valve it needed to be adjusted which was simple as all of you noted. Only question is if this could go out of aling if he didn't change it? I would look for a dragging brake caliper. When it's up...and if the steering doesn't turn to the right due to the power steering control valve...then spin the right front wheel and see if you have significant drag vs left.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
This situation is an exact match for mine. I know the previous owner replaced the power steering valve shortly before I purchased the car. Recently while the car was on jackstands I started the car and the steering wheel turned all the way to the right.
How exactly do I adjust the valve to center it?
How exactly do I adjust the valve to center it?
&amp;quot;Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
There is a cap on the end that covers a screw. Remove the cap and turn the screw to find the neutral point (i.e. no movement right or left). At least, this was the way I did it. It worked for this newbee when I replaced my valve.
