Pulls to the left at speed , more so with heavier load

[djgriff]

Hi, so I initially had an issue with pulling to the left under acceleration. I had 2 front bars/ joint replaced and corrected the issue however I have been countless times to a specialist sport alignment garage who got everything spot on. So when driving round town the steering wheel seems fine and aligned but I have done a couple of trips over the summer and notice that when loaded up with luggage and 5 people the steering wheel alignment goe well out of whack and exaggerated even more so on the motorway, so much so it’s close to a pizza slice angle, how much it goes out. Anyone have any ideas what might be causing this to happen under load?

Vw t6 t30LWB

Cheers
Daniel

 

[Stay Frosty]

Has the van been shunted at some point as it sounds like it must be crabbing as the rear end squats under load

 

[djgriff]

Hmm not that I am aware of, no history of any accidents. There does look to be respray on the rear bumper but no visible crumple or repair underneath or any of the body work when insulating and sound proofing. Nothing pointing to any major impact. Is there any checks you can recommend to rule this out as the laser alignment showed everything to be square and true

 

[JOG]

I’d suggest a trip up to @CRS Performance

 

[Long tall John]

As what @JOG sugests. @CRS Performance will give you an expert opinion and I’m sure he won’t charge you or try to sell you something inappropriate. Your mind will be at rest then

 

[djgriff]

I’d suggest a trip up to @CRS Performance

I have reached out and see what he has to say. thanks for the recommendation hopefully I can get to the bottom of it

 

[bluezie]

Try taking it in to be measured when fully loaded, something is massively out, to do what it's doing. Normally worn wishbone bushes cause the steering to pull, or veer to one side under acceleration and deceleration. Could the bush bolts have been tightened with the weight off the vehicle? If so they will fail very quickly.

 

[djgriff]

Try taking it in to be measured when fully loaded, something is massively out, to do what it's doing. Normally worn wishbone bushes cause the steering to pull, or veer to one side under acceleration and deceleration. Could the bush bolts have been tightened with the weight off the vehicle? If so they will fail very quickly.

Aah sorry under acceleration is fixed by relaxing a joint on both sides at the front. It’s just when it’s loaded up I notice that is when it gets worse. So if it’s slow speeds no weight it’s not to bad, it got real bad when 6ppl and all camping gear and so on loaded the van down. But yeah something is definitely not right

 

[slocumjoseph]

It does sound a bit like what @bluezie said. if the bush is failing the caster could change a bit when there’s less load on the front.

 

[djgriff]

Ok cool maybe a trip to my local vw specialist to check everything over before going to CRS

 

[Gavinda]

Miss-matched springs on the rear?

 

[Oldrat]

The extra weight doesn’t create a steering problem, it just exaggerates any defect already present so it is more obvious.

Very accurately measure the distance between the wheel centres on each side of the van. They should be identical.

Failing that get someone to follow you driving in a straight line, then long shallow bends. Crabbing will be obvious.

 

[djgriff]

The extra weight doesn’t create a steering problem, it just exaggerates any defect already present so it is more obvious.

Very accurately measure the distance between the wheel centres on each side of the van. They should be identical.

Failing that get someone to follow you driving in a straight line, then long shallow bends. Crabbing will be obvious.

Ok will thanks for the info, ! Let you know the outcome

 

[Oldrat]

At least it might rule that out.

 

[djgriff]

So just measured the van in its current position, Front Left:45cm, Rear Left:42.5, Front Right:45, Rear Right: 44, so i am guessing its the suspension or shock?
Cheers

 

[Stay Frosty]

Wheel positions should show up during alignment though.
I imagine it's possible to get all wheels pointing forward with the correct toe in even with the back wheels not accurately parallel with the front pair, that's why I asked if the van had taken a shunt.
I'm not a mechanic but over the years have followed the odd vehicle where it looks like the back axle is trying to overtake the front end with a pretty clear 3/4 view of one side of the vehicle from behind, the driver no doubt counter steering slightly to compensate.

 

[djgriff]

Going to drive it to local super market to double check on flat flat ground … and the rear are the same but front left is .5cm lower than front right. Moved van several times to confirm

 

[djgriff]

Wheel positions should show up during alignment though.
I imagine it's possible to get all wheels pointing forward with the correct toe in even with the back wheels not accurately parallel with the front pair, that's why I asked if the van had taken a shunt.
I'm not a mechanic but over the years have followed the odd vehicle where it looks like the back axle is trying to overtake the front end with a pretty clear 3/4 view of one side of the vehicle from behind, the driver no doubt counter steering slightly to compensate.

Yeah no signs of a shunt to the rear, did take a knock on front left though, which I discovered after I purchased. So I guess this might tie in with the front left being slightly lower.. Urrgh

 

[Skyliner33]

So just measured the van in its current position, Front Left:45cm, Rear Left:42.5, Front Right:45, Rear Right: 44, so i am guessing its the suspension or shock?
Cheers

Did you measure the distance between front wheel centre and rear wheel centre on each side of the van like @Oldrat suggested? I can see you measured wheel centre to arch distance.

 

[Oldrat]

My suggestion was measuring the distance between the FOS wheel centre and the ROS wheel centre.

Likewise do the same in the other side.


This will show that the ‘axles’ are parallel.

Your measurements are too short for that?