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Topic: 1980 Pulling to the left

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

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1980 Pulling to the left (1/7)
6/2/15 6:42am

jeff876
Former Member
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wellsboro, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1980 corvette

Joined: 10/6/2014
Posts: 11

Hi all, I have a 1980 Corvette was pulling very hard to the left. Put all new brake, calipers and wheel bearings. It still pulled to the left. Put on new tires and had it lined up. STILL PULLS to the left. Any ideas?

Thanks J

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Re: 1980 Pulling to the left (2/7)
6/2/15 7:52am

manchestershark

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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2387

What about the right rear emergency/brake pads being loose or dragging?

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Re: 1980 Pulling to the left (3/7)
6/2/15 8:48am

kstyer

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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

Did you lift the front of the car and see if the left wheel is difficult to turn? If so it could need a brake hose. They can fail inside and create a restriction.

If not, was a COMPLETE inspection done on the front end. It may be in aligh sitting still, but have a bad bushing or component that sits in a normal position but flexes an shifts position under rolling load. Control arm bushings will do this. ( upper or lower )

Dont forget the power steering valves. You could take the belt off and take a short drive. It will be hard to steer, but if the pull stops it is a power steering issue.

What about the rear suspension and alignment? The rear can easily cause a problem in the front when the front is in good shape.

|UPDATED|6/2/2015 5:48:40 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: 1980 Pulling to the left (4/7)
6/2/15 8:46am

johnu
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert

Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 614

Look up the power steering "centering" procedure. Might be going bad or needs adjustment.

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Re: 1980 Pulling to the left (5/7)
6/2/15 9:04am

ebo

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

kstyer said:

Did you lift the front of the car and see if the left wheel is difficult to turn? If so it could need a brake hose. They can fail inside and create a restriction.

Dont forget the power steering valves. You could take the belt off and take a short drive. It will be hard to steer, but if the pull stops it is a power steering issue.

What about the rear suspension and alignment? The rear can easily cause a problem in the front when the front is in good shape.

Ken, it's nice to see you back in the ball game.....We haz been beating Joel to pieces.....

ebo

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ebo

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Re: 1980 Pulling to the left (6/7)
6/2/15 1:15pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Is this something that just started, or have you been fighting this for a while?
Ken hit the most likely causes(brakes/alignment), and John was right in checking the power steering control valve adjustment.
You can check that by lifting the front tires off the ground, and starting the engine with the steering wheel in the straight ahead position. DO NOT reach thru the steering wheel to start the engine from outside the car!! If it IS the p/s adjustment, and you do start it from outside like that, you could wind up with a broken wrist!! Sit in the car, and leave your hands(face/hair/etc) OFF of the wheel to start the engine. If the steering jumps to the left by itself, the control valve needs to be adjusted. There are a couple of threads here with info on how that is done, if you do not have the Factory Service Manual.
Does the car sit level at all 4 corners? A sagging spring(or springs) can sometimes cause a pull if it's bad enough to effect the alignment.

|UPDATED|6/2/2015 10:15:15 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: 1980 Pulling to the left (7/7)
6/2/15 2:34pm

jeff876
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wellsboro, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1980 corvette

Joined: 10/6/2014
Posts: 11

Thanks so much for all the input. Looks like a got a few things to check. I'll let you know what I find out.
Thanks again all!!!!

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