Car steering to the left?

[-Nighthawk-]

Hi Guys,
my FTO has been steering to the left for quite some time and I constantly have to keep my hands on the wheel to avoid it going off the road. It's not "too" sharp but still enough to worry about.

When I used my spare time for the front left it wasn't as bad, so I'm not sure what the problem could be. The tire has been recently aligned and replaced and it didn't fix the issue.

The steering also feels a tad loose for a few degrees when turning, not completely solid. I have also had a wheel alignment which did not fix this.

Would it be expensive to fix? And is there any places I can go to get a quote on it for free without being charged for the repair?

Thanks

[silverGPX]

tie rod ends could be worn and ball joints, could also be that one of your struts are loose. or badly worn.

[silverGPX]

also lower control arm bushes fixed mine up a bit, my steering is sloppy still but i havent done the tie rod ends

[-Nighthawk-]

Hmm interesting, are these parts expensive to replace?

[vipfto]

nah will be one of a few things

1. Bent strut (to much camber difference between left and right)
2. Shot control arm bushes
3. Worn ball joint
4. indifferent tyre pressures (have you checked them could be puncture?)
5. badly worn tyres

most likely to be tyre related

[silverGPX]

Id start off with lower control arm bushes and tie rod ends.

Tie Rod Ends
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2-OUTER-TIE-ROD- ... 27b4d731b1

Lower Control Arm bushes
Part Nos
Front control arm front bushes - SPF1100K
Front control arm rear bushes - SPF1500K
I think mine was $50-$60 all up from Fulcrum supplier (super pro type polyurethane)

Mind you the bushes need to be pressed in, if you went into a suspension shop on a saturday morning with $80 and say how much to fit these no receipts theyd do it.

Youll need another wheel alignment after.

[silverGPX]

Do you have your wheel alignment sheet, by that youll be able to tell if your shocks are worn by the camber difference.

[-Nighthawk-]

Thanks, would it be best to go into a suspension shop and get the tie rod ends or do they need to be sourced first?

So a new set of bushes is only $50-$60?

My wheel alignment was done as part of my car service, so there wasn't much detail on it,
cheers

[vipfto]

trust me check tyres first mate worn tie rod ends wont cause your car to pull just destroy tyres faster

[silverGPX]

The steering also feels a tad loose for a few degrees when turning, not completely solid. I have also had a wheel alignment which did not fix this.

Mine feels exactly like that and i have had new struts + springs, lower control arm bushes and 4 new tyres. and was told that my ball joints are fine.

[-Nighthawk-]

How does the tire situation explain why my steering feels loose though? I'm assuming something will be worn out.

What are good places to go to get a free quote to check all my suspension / bushes etc. in Melbourne?

cheers

[vipfto]

loose steering will be beause of either Tie rod ends/Tie rods or rack

pulling left will most likely be tires or strut etc

[silverGPX]

Ive always wondered how do the actually tie rods wear out?
I can see how the ends do but isnt it just a rod?

[-Nighthawk-]

I might buy those Tie Rod Ends, they are only $50. What does the Tie Rack do? Is it easy to install?
thanks

Also, what type of strut? The only strut brace that I'm aware of is the one in the engine bay, but my car currently doesn't have one

[vipfto]

strut means shocker

but please start with the basics before the dearer stuff

[Bennoz]

Light steering sounds like a poor alignment. Bet they didn't dial any toe-in into the front.

Pulling left is probably a seized brake caliper slide pin.

[-Nighthawk-]

If I get a wheel alignment will they be able to identify the problem easy and tell me what to get if they don't have it in stock? Or will they try to stich me for $1500 on new suspension or something?

Is Pedders a good place to get it done?

Cheers

[silverGPX]

Dont go to pedders.

Go in for a wheel alignment when you go in there ask them while their doing it to have a quick look over the tie rod ends and bushes.

Ask their opinion if they need to be replaced, also when they get the after print out if anything seems really out of place.

also post it up here.

[-Nighthawk-]

Wait so you're saying don't go there but go there? haha

Don't they have a $15 suspension check or something on the spot?

[silverGPX]

lol dont go their for the wheel alignment,

man yeah they can give you the $15 suspension check but they'll just say everythings worn anyway.