Topic: pulls to the right
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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nelson
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Dania Beach, FL - USA
Joined: 9/2/2006
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 1981 red coupe with red interior, mirror T-tops,57K miles
HELP!!!!!
My 1981 pulls slightly to the right. I have to lightly put pressure on the steering wheel to keep it going straight. I have checked the road for crown and it makes no differance what part of the road its on. I have rotated and checked the tires (new) with no change. I just got a new alignment and no change. STILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT!!!! I notice that the steering wheel is not centered with the 6 o'clock spoke slightly to the left and while holding light pressure to the right it runs straight. works great this way but take my eye off it for a moment and I keep clipping bicycles, baby strollers and joggers on my right. Any ideas will help as I cant keep this up........
Nelson
Nelson
rod7515
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Red Lion, PA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182
Vette(s): 1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic
1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible
383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic
Something had to change on the alignment. Make sure that your alignment shop knows it pulls to the right. I had a customer with a 77 vette that had a pull and we found a frame break under the the engine area. A local body shop set it up on their frame machine and did a repair weld and with an alignment it was as good as new. That 77 Vette is a bubba car that creates nothing but headaches for me!
custom76
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Naples, FL - USA
Joined: 2/26/2005
Posts: 133
Vette(s): 1976 coupe with a custom body and a 396 big block with nitrous installed. Runs great!!
If an alignment or frame check doesn't solve your delema then try one of these options
1.Check your brakes for any grease or oil on the rotors.Clean them anyhow with brake cleaner.You may not see the grease/oil. Check for glazing (high polished look) or damage to the rotors such as deep grooves. If there is grease on the rotors then clean them and change the pads.Both sides. The pads will absorb the oil and it will be difficult to get them clean again.They wont work properly as to each side. Eliminate the source of contamination.
2.Check the pads for proper/equal thickness from one side to the other.
3. Bleed your brakes. Farthest from the master first.
If need be change (flush) the fluid in the brake master and lines if it hasn't been done in a couple of years.
4. Check to see if you have a stuck caliper. Have someone operate the brakes then observe the pads. They (both sides)should move in equal distance or one may not move much at all. If one not moving as the other then there is your problem. Change out the caliper.custom76 2006-11-25 15:36:20
1.Check your brakes for any grease or oil on the rotors.Clean them anyhow with brake cleaner.You may not see the grease/oil. Check for glazing (high polished look) or damage to the rotors such as deep grooves. If there is grease on the rotors then clean them and change the pads.Both sides. The pads will absorb the oil and it will be difficult to get them clean again.They wont work properly as to each side. Eliminate the source of contamination.
2.Check the pads for proper/equal thickness from one side to the other.
3. Bleed your brakes. Farthest from the master first.
If need be change (flush) the fluid in the brake master and lines if it hasn't been done in a couple of years.
4. Check to see if you have a stuck caliper. Have someone operate the brakes then observe the pads. They (both sides)should move in equal distance or one may not move much at all. If one not moving as the other then there is your problem. Change out the caliper.
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20212
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
The steering wheel being off-set gives a good clue. Perhaps the alignment shop didn't have the wheel straight when they set the toe on the front. If the wheels were off slightly to the left when the toe was set, the car would want to pull right, and the steering wheel would be off. Have them re-set the toe with the steering wheel centered, and the problem should be solved. Also, before doing this, make sure the steering wheel is actually centered on the column. Take the horn button off, and look to see that the line on the wheel hub is lined up with the line on the threaded shaft.
Just an idea...
Just an idea...
Joel Adams
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gellisvette
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PERRYSBURG, OH - USA
Joined: 4/23/2004
Posts: 317
Vette(s): 1975 T-Tops,Lite Custom work,Many engine mod. 700R4 trans. body is shaved,17" wheels bf goodrich g-force tires,heavy sway bars front&rear rack&pinion steering,550 slolom springs with gas shocks.
When you had your wheel alignment done did you ask for all four wheels to be aligned? My guysays it's really important on vets. I know it made a big dif. on my car. However yours sound like a brake dragging.
Dell 73 BB
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Pottstown, PA - USA
Joined: 1/3/2007
Posts: 2
Vette(s): 73 coupe, #'s matching 454, auto, ac, ps, pw, dark blue on black.
Mods: Hooker headers
I had a similar problem and a rusty 'ole brake caliper was the culprit. I still need an alignment though.....
LET SOME AIR OUT OF THE LEFT TIRE 
I COULDN'T RESIST
I COULDN'T RESIST C3VR Lifetime Member #93
JimG
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
Vette(s): 1979 T-Top,
Metallic Green
ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque
Dual Spal Fans
700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission
2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Take the horn button off, and look to see that the line on the wheel hub is lined up with the line on the threaded shaft.
.[/QUOTE]
You got a pic of this line...My Steering wheel is off center and I know it's because the hub isn't on correctly but I can't see a line...
Damn getting old and needing glasses....
.[/QUOTE]
You got a pic of this line...My Steering wheel is off center and I know it's because the hub isn't on correctly but I can't see a line...
Damn getting old and needing glasses....
Lifetime Member #73
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PNORRIS
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ST. AUGUSTINE, FL - USA
Joined: 6/26/2002
Posts: 2
Vette(s): STEEL CITIES GRAY 1978 COUPE, TRICKED UP L-82
My 78 did the same thing! It was the power steering! One of the ports was partially blocked which did not allow for the pressure to equalize and resulted in the car pulling to the right. Took it apart, cleaned out to piston assembly, fixed the problem.