Like the title says, my car pulls to the left. 2002 Z06, stock size wheels and tires. Just put a new set of tires (toyo's) new set of GM shocks (all four) new stock front brake pads. Old tires (wide ovals) had excessive wear on the inside tread. Because of this I had an allignment done. It didnt feel right, pulled to the left and it was re-done w/ some minor adjustment. It still pulled to the left, took it to the dealer w/ up to date equipment and a pretty knowledgable tech. Allignment is supposely w/in specs and still pulls to the left. I flopped the front tires to see if its a "radial pull" and car still pulls left. Tech believes its in the tires and they need to settle in and may take up to +- 5000 miles on them. My thought is that's a crock! there would be a decent uneven wear by then. Keep in mind the tech re-alligned the car a second time w/minor adjustments and still states its w/in specs. Thought It might be a brake pull but car steers straight during breaking. Is there something i'm missing?

Current Allignment:

left front: right front
camber= -0.6* camber = -0.6*
caster= 6.9* caster = 6.9*
toe = 0.03* toe = 0.02*

front
total toe = 0.05*

steer ahead
0.01*


left rear: right rear:
camber = -0.4* camber = -0.5*
toe = -0.04* toe = -0.08*

rear
total toe = -0.12*

thrust angle = 0.02*


Thanks in advance.

 

Just a thought, but has anyone checked to make sure the cradles are squared up? They have indexing pins, but you never know. Again, just a thought. It surely sounds like a crock to me!

 

Check tire pressures and be very precise. Just a pound or two difference in a ZO6 and you can feel it pull to the side.
Jeff

 

I have heard of tires not being the same diameter. Might want to make sure the tires are the same height.

If the tires are the same height, then the problem is suspension related. Make sure everything lines up correctly.

 

If this happens after a bit of brake is applied, check to make sure that the caliper on the left is retracting all the way. If they have lost their lube they may be hanging up and still applying some friction.

 

I would believe if the car pulls left driving but goes straight during braking you have a brake issue. Possibly the slides frozen or a caliper stuck? Try to jack it up in the front and spin the wheels see if one is tighter then the other. Worth a shot I guess. Hope that helps.

 

Cradles? indexing pins? dont know what those are or what they're related to. is this something related to the allignment? might be something worth mentioning or looking into. thanks

 

tires were checked and are at proper psi. that was one of the first things i checked.

 

Hmmmmmm. interesting. I'll have to check on that. I dont think they are since the fronts were flipped and swapped from right to left to help determine if there was a radial pull. after the flip, car still pulled to the left.

 

if this is the case where the left side is tighter, is this a quick fix or something more in depth to repair. I'm assuming a qualified brake tech would be the answer but i'm always willing try diy jobs thats not too in depth or technical.

 

could shocks have something to do with the pulling. could it be the incorrect torque lbs was done to the left or right shock?

 

spoke to another allignment tech today and showed him the current setting of my allignment via printout. he studied the printout and was adamant the current allignment indicates the car should not pull left. He was adamant that TOE does not have anything to do with pulling unless the front and rear are extremely off. He believes my car has ESP sensor and is causing the left pull and the sensor needs to be calibrated. Does the 02 Z06 have such a sensor to force the wheel to do this and is this a common problem after an allignment.

any thoughts?

 

Hi, a dragging brake caliper can cause the car to pull, also the trim height can cause it . If the height is not proportionately correct it can cause pulling.
Good Luck

 

I don't think it can be the brakes and for sure not the shocks. I had a bad set of tires on the wife car once. Tech took it out and ageed, put on another front pair and all better.
I wonder about the specs as I do not know the range but to see your caster the same on both sides seems odd. Should be more negative on the left to off set the crown on the road, but they are even and it already pulls??

I wonder about those tires still ????


Tech feels tires need to settle in

 

when you say trim height, do you mean the height of the tires or something else?

 

if the tires are the culprit, could the rears cause the pull as well? the fronts were flipped and swapped from side to side and still pulls. I havent done this with the rears.

 

The alignment specs look good, tires pressures are good.
You swapped sides with the tires, still pulled left. You could try another set of tires jsut to rule that possibility out.

Brakes could def cause a pulling, you can check that yourself. Check for drag, or as others mentioned a stuck caliper.
I just re-greased my pins on friday, they were in rough shape (though they still slid ok).

Def check your ride height as weak spring and shock can cause some issues too.
Not sure where the specific measurements are to be taken (Ill check tomorrow at school) but you could just find a place and measure on all for corners.

 

i'll definetly check ride height and the brakes tomorrow.

 

Hi, below is a description.
Good Luck
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Trim Height Inspection Procedure
Tools Required
J 42743 Trim Height Adjustment Tool
J 42854 Trim Height Measurement Gauge
Trim Height Measurements
Trim height is a predetermined measurement relating to vehicle ride height. Incorrect trim heights can cause bottoming out over bumps, damage to the suspension components and symptoms similar to wheel alignment problems. Check the trim heights when diagnosing suspension concerns and before checking the wheel alignment.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Trim Height Specifications
RPO
Service Preferred
Tolerance

Metric
English

Z Trim Height--Front End

FE1(Base)
46 mm (1.81 in)
39.6-52.4 mm
1.52-2.06 in

FE2 (F55)
46 mm (1.81 in)
39.6-52.4 mm
1.52-2.06 in

FE3 (Z51)
45 mm (1.77 in)
38.6-51.4 mm
1.52-2.02 in
D Trim Height--Rear End

FE1
122 mm (4.80 in)
115.6-128.4 mm
4.55-5.05 in

FE2
122 mm (4.80 in)
115.6-128.4 mm
4.55-5.05 in

FE3
121 mm (4.76 in)
114.6-127.4 mm
4.51-5.01 in



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Perform the following before measuring the trim heights:

Set the tire pressures to the pressure shown on the certification label. Refer to Label - Vehicle Certification in General Information.
Check the fuel level. Add additional weight if necessary to simulate a full tank.
Make sure the rear compartment is empty except for the spare tire.
Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface, such as an alignment rack.
Close the doors.
Close the hood.
All dimensions are measured vertical to the ground. Trim heights should be within 13 mm (0.5 in) to be considered correct.
Z Height Measurement

Important
The Z height dimension measurement determines the proper ride height for the front end of the vehicle.


Lift the front bumper of the vehicle up about 38 mm (1.5 in).
Gently remove your hands.
Allow the vehicle to settle into position.
Repeat this jouncing operation 2 more times for a total of 3 times.



Measure the distance between the lowest point of the ball joint (2) and the center of the front side of the lower control arm mounting bolt (1), using the J 42854 .
Push the front bumper of the vehicle down about 38 mm (1.5 in).
Gently remove your hands.
Allow the vehicle to rise.
Repeat the operation for a total of 3 times.
Measure the Z dimension from both the right and left side.
The true Z height dimension number is the average of the high and the low measurements. Refer to Trim Height Specifications .
Z Height Adjustment





Important
When adjusting the spring adjuster bolt, J 42743 must be used in order to prevent damage to the rubber shear pad on the end of the bolt. One complete turn of the spring adjuster bolt is equal to 2 mm (5/64 in).


Using J 42743 , adjust the Z trim height by turning the spring adjuster bolt.
Lower the transverse spring back onto the lower control arm and remove J 42743 .
Measure the Z trim height again.




Important
Do not exceed the maximum difference between the right and left spring adjuster bolt gaps.


Measure and adjust the front spring adjuster bolt gaps (1) to 2-24 mm (0.078-0.944 in).
D Height Measurement
The D height dimension measurement determines the proper rear end ride height.

With the vehicle on a flat surface, lift upward on the rear bumper 38 mm (1.5 in).
Gently remove your hands. Allow the vehicle to settle into position.
Repeat the jouncing operation 2 more times for a total of 3 times.



Use the J 42854 in order to measure the distance between the lowest point of the ball joint (2) and the center of the front side of the lower control arm mounting bolt (1).
Manually push the rear of the vehicle down approximately 38 mm (1.5 in), gently remove hands and let the vehicle settle.
Repeat the above step 2 more times for a total of3 times.
Measure both the right and left sides of the vehicle.
The true D trim height is the average of the high and low measurements. Refer to Trim Height Specifications in Suspension General Diagnosis.
D Height Adjustment





Important
One complete turn of the adjustment bolt is equal to 2 mm (5/64 in).


Remove the retainers (1) on the top of the spring bolts (2).
Adjust the D trim height by turning the spring bolt.
Measure the D trim height again.




Important
Do not exceed the maximum difference between the right and left rear spring stud heights.


Measure the rear spring stud heights (1), the maximum difference should be 5 mm (0.196 in).
Install the retainers to the bolts.
Lower the vehicle.

 

Good stuff 'bestvettever',

I looked in the service manuals which is for a 1998 and on the computer (under 1999) and got slightly different Trim heights than what you have listed.

Also, things to check for a lead/pull are:
1. Brakes,
2. Front alignment
3. Tires not balanced/worn/pressures
4. Leaf spring broke/sagging etc..(ride height)