29 replies to this topic

[Badboytunes]

had my tracking done and the guy doin it says hes done what he can, but itll still pull to the left ( which it does)
why would this be?

 

Because you sold your racer and bought a Fiat 500....... Its karma. Shame on you

[A-Cell]

If the tie bars are bent then the front caster angle will be wrong and potentially different side to Sid an hat will be the reason it pulls. Most likely pulls one way when accelerating and th other way when braking.
Either remove and straighten the tie bars or fit new ones. Be sure to make absolutely sure that the threads of the tie bar are in good condition, there are good or preferably new rubbers fitted in the correct orientation, the correct cup washers and thick supporting washers are fitted and new Nyloc nuts torqued to 30Nm. Also correct tie bar to lower arm bolts and nuts are fitted, preferably new ones and torqued correctly.

[leroy26]

@ acell ive ordered all new stuff so ill give it a go thanks!

@badboytunes its a .. abarth not a fiat!

[Gulfclubby]

If they're quite bent, I would not recommend straightening them. Steel work-hardens and you will be creating a weak spot where the dent was.

[tiger99]

Yes, I would agree with A-Cell, and also strongly recommend replacing them for safety's sake, and ALWAYS a new bolt, nut and lockwasher (special "fitted" bolt, must be the correct part, not just a standard grade 8 bolt) to the lower arm, and new Nylock (again the correct part) at the front. They are not all that expensive, and may save lives, money well spent.

 

If it still pulls to one side with new tie rods, it may be that whatever caused them to bend has also bent the mounts on the subframe, however 9 times out of 10 it will just be the tie rods. The other prime suspect would be the subframe to body mounts, if rubber, and of course many people here will recommend that you fit a solid mount kit if you have not done so already, with welded reinforcing plated on the toeboard for the rear mounts. Eventually, all Minis still on the road will have had that modification, except the early ones which were solid mounted, and better for it. It is the best single handling upgrade, and cheaper than a set of dampers or any other handling tweak.

[leroy26]

ok,
changed the bent tie rods, used all new bushes/ bolts/nuts its still pulls to the left ( guess i need retracking?) and the steerings gone a lot lighter! sound ok?

[oli8925]

Yes it will need tracking again. I'd go back to the same place and try to argue a free/cheaper 2nd go.

[Artful Dodger]

so you got it tracked, he said it was pulling, and you didnt think to ask him what was wrong even though he MUST have trained to be a mechanic and would have known something.. we are all just guessing here and its gonna be as much help as piddling into the wind...

 

 

hummmm..

[Yoda]

sounds like you may have a misaligned / bent rear radius arm if the front is all square. Might be worth getting this checked out first. An out of line radius arm can cause all manner of strange steering issues.

[Captain Mainwaring]

Yes it will need tracking again. I'd go back to the same place and try to argue a free/cheaper 2nd go.

Why? As spotty and young as the guy was, he knew there was a problem - if you understand a tiny bit about steering geometry, ask him, if not, tell him to put it right.

In this case, I'd ask for the assistance of others.

Why they should do it cheap, and help you, when you don't really help yourself is a mystery to me.

[oli8925]

I didn't say they should, just that I'd try it. No, they have no obligation to do it again on the cheap and they may well tell you to get shafted or just say 'our guy did nothing wrong, sorry but it will be full price'. No harm done.

[leroy26]

sorry that i asked for help

[Artful Dodger]

Well it's a bit of a massive question isn't it? My car is pulling I the left and it's been tracked and te mechanic said something was bent, I didn't ask what, so can everyone guess what the problem is without seeing or working on the car? Cheers

It could literally be every part of the suspension / steering / braking systems. So I'd ask that mechanics opinion!

[leroy26]

i thurt with being on a mini forum id be better asking here than askin someone who deals more with corsas and focuses in case with the mini being an older design there was something different to the more modern things.
but seems as im gettin a bollocking off nearly everyone for asking ill look on a more friendlier forum cheers

[Gremlin]

Does it pull left all the time, or only under braking?

Edited by Gremlin, 12 May 2013 - 12:32 PM.