P38A Car Pulling to the left

EntropyUK · Apr 24, 2019

My Diesel is constantly pulling to the left to the point where a long journey is almost uncomfortable. In the 3+ years I have had it, it has always pulled to the kerb and worn away the outside of the N/S tyre. Last year I had the drag link replaced and have had the wheel alignment checked on a number of times but they have always said the alignment is true. Its not tyre pressures as these are regularly checked and maintained. The only thing I can think of is the steering box is not centered as per RAVE Fault matrix but have not checked this.

As its coming up to pre MOT TLC time, I thought it would be a good time to tackle this issue. Any ideas?

wammers · Apr 24, 2019

If you have checked everything more than likely front radius arm bushes and maybe Panhard rod bushes worn.

Datatek · Apr 24, 2019

wammers said:
If you have checked everything more than likely front radius arm bushes and maybe Panhard rod bushes worn.

Or even the rear Panhard rod & radius arm bushes, less likely but possible judging by the effect a rear Panhard rod bush had on mine.

wammers · Apr 24, 2019

Datatek said:
Or even the rear Panhard rod & radius arm bushes, less likely but possible judging by the effect a rear Panhard rod bush had on mine.

Mine was doing that, pulling to left and trying to dive left if you hit bump, changing front radius arm bushes and Panhard rod bushes cured it completely.

RangeRoller dt · Apr 24, 2019

Edit - When my wheels are dead straight my steering wheel is slightly off. I need to sort this.

Steering ram okay?

wammers · Apr 24, 2019

RangeRoller dt said:
When your wheels are dead straight the steering wheel isn’t on these vehicles. They were designed like that for ease of driving or some such?

Nope steering wheel should be centred. If yours isn't it needs sorting.

winchman · Apr 24, 2019

Tyre pressures?

RangeRoller dt · Apr 24, 2019

wammers said:
Nope steering wheel should be centred. If yours isn't it needs sorting.

I will try look see where I got that idea from. Only few degrees and she drives straight as arrow

Grrrrrr · Apr 24, 2019

wammers said:
Mine was doing that, pulling to left and trying to dive left if you hit bump, changing front radius arm bushes and Panhard rod bushes cured it completely.

Oddly enough panhard rod/bushes is one of the few things under mine that is still original.

wammers · Apr 25, 2019

RangeRoller dt said:
Edit - When my wheels are dead straight my steering wheel is slightly off. I need to sort this.

Steering ram okay?

Steering wheel centring is set with wheels straight ahead by adjusting length of drag link.

Datatek · Apr 25, 2019

RangeRoller dt said:
Edit - When my wheels are dead straight my steering wheel is slightly off. I need to sort this.

Steering ram okay?

Steering ram? No ram on the P38, it's an old fashioned steering box.

RangeRoller dt · Apr 25, 2019

Datatek said:
Steering ram? No ram on the P38, it's an old fashioned steering box.

By ram I meant ‘damper’, sorry
This thing -

Datatek · Apr 25, 2019

RangeRoller dt said:
By ram I meant ‘damper’, sorry
This thing -
View attachment 176418

That's the overpriced version

RangeRoller dt · Apr 25, 2019

Does cause issues I’ve heard. Mine is presumed original and still decent after hard life.

My steering box (beside the accumulator) seems to be leaking, considerably lately

P/S fluid doesn’t seem to be going down, is there separate fluid in the box mechanism?

Grrrrrr · Apr 25, 2019

RangeRoller dt said:
Does cause issues I’ve heard. Mine is presumed original and still decent after hard life.

My steering box (beside the accumulator) seems to be leaking, considerably lately P/S fluid doesn’t seem to be going down, is there separate fluid in the box mechanism?

Damper will hide issues rather than cure it. It makes the driving experience a bit more pleasant, that's all. If it is pulling somewhere then something else is at play.

wammers · Apr 25, 2019

Grrrrrr said:
Damper will hide issues rather than cure it. It makes the driving experience a bit more pleasant, that's all. If it is pulling somewhere then something else is at play.

Unless of course he has one of the ridiculous self centring dampers fitted.

Datatek · Apr 25, 2019

RangeRoller dt said:
Does cause issues I’ve heard. Mine is presumed original and still decent after hard life.

My steering box (beside the accumulator) seems to be leaking, considerably lately P/S fluid doesn’t seem to be going down, is there separate fluid in the box mechanism?

No.

Grrrrrr · Apr 25, 2019

wammers said:
Unless of course he has one of the ridiculous self centring dampers fitted.

The springy gas one from TerriblyFirmer? But surely no-one on here would fit one of those?!

EntropyUK · Apr 25, 2019

I will have a look over the weekend snd see whats going on.

RangeRoller dt · Apr 25, 2019

Grrrrrr said:
The springy gas one from TerriblyFirmer? But surely no-one on here would fit one of those?!

Bet Piercy would

can’t stop ordering new TF parts

P38A Car Pulling to the left

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