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[platty]

Hi guys, my Mega has just recently started to drift to the left of the road when I let go of the wheel, but when I brake it pulls quite violently to the left and feels as though the rear is pitching across to the right?!

I had the tracking done about 2500 miles ago and have 4 good tyres all round. Steering idler and wishbones have been done. Had new discs and pads last year about 5000 miles ago. Has always driven and braked nice and straight in the past.

I'm thinking the tracking has slipped out and is steering the car left, but would it pull that violently under medium braking? or is there a problem in the brakes too?  :-/

Any help would be great  

[Dazzler]

Does sound like the geometry is out for some reason, so get that checked. As for the brakes take the car into a friendly mot place and ask them to test the brakes on there machine for balance and go from there.

[platty]

Thanks Dazzler, I was thinking along those lines but prob going to have a look myself first. Its the voilent pulling which is most worrying, I think i'll take a look at the discs and pads, see if they are wearing evenly.

[Debs.]

Thanks Dazzler, I was thinking along those lines but prob going to have a look myself first. Its the voilent pulling which is most worrying, I think i'll take a look at the discs and pads, see if they are wearing evenly.

As Dazzler says: brakes and geometry....
I recently had a F.O.S brake caliper seize and the car developed a marked pull under braking.
I hesitate to mention it, but are you the ONLY driver of the car?....has it perhaps been 'kerbed at speed' by (Ahem!) a less careful driver than yourself....`bending a steering/supension component.

[JasonH]

Instinct says a wishbone bush has failed.

I had one go quite soon after replacement. I got to 8k miles before I finally pinpointed it.

[Marks DTM Calib]

It is classic wishbone bush failure.....normally the front one given the symptoms.

Was the securing bolt tightened with the car on the ground?, if not then they can fail prematurely.

[arthill]

Thanks Dazzler, I was thinking along those lines but prob going to have a look myself first. Its the voilent pulling which is most worrying, I think i'll take a look at the discs and pads, see if they are wearing evenly.

As Dazzler says: brakes and geometry....
I recently had a F.O.S brake caliper seize and the car developed a marked pull under braking.
I hesitate to mention it, but are you the ONLY driver of the car?....has it perhaps been 'kerbed at speed' by (Ahem!) a less careful driver than yourself....`bending a steering/supension component.

check if one of your calipers is'nt releasing properly

[platty]

....has it perhaps been 'kerbed at speed' by (Ahem!) a less careful driver than yourself....`bending a steering/supension component.

Not that I know of! Mrs (almost) platty doesn't drive it, only me.

It is classic wishbone bush failure.....normally the front one given the symptoms.

Was the securing bolt tightened with the car on the ground?, if not then they can fail prematurely.

Yes, the bolts were dropped in and nuts on loosely. Car lowered down and all 4 tightened up - as per how to guide... :-/
Guess I will have to jack her up and have a poke around then  

[platty]

I have been underneath the car today and checked the condition of the wishbones. Considering I replaced them only 6 moths ago, I wasn't very impressed.  

The pair I bought were from buypartsby.com and I assumed they were the same (obviously handed) but upon closer inspection today they seem to be of different brands.

The RHS is fine, paint is present and bush is still firm. The LHS however is shot, all paint off, rusty and the bush is as soft as sh*te.

I shall replace this one, again, can anyone recommed a good supplier other than the aforemetnioned??

Thanks in advance, Platty  

[Entwood]

I'd be on to the suppliers PDQ .. if they are NOT a "matching pair" .. which IMHO is an absolute neccessity for steering parts, then they are "not fit for the purpose for which sold".

I would be demanding a new "matching pair" ... both sides replaced .. or they would be getting a some deep trouble ... including Trading Standards, and Small Claims Court  

[platty]

I'd be on to the suppliers PDQ .. if they are NOT a "matching pair" .. which IMHO is an absolute neccessity for steering parts, then they are "not fit for the purpose for which sold".

I would be demanding a new "matching pair" ... both sides replaced .. or they would be getting a some deep trouble ... including Trading Standards, and Small Claims Court  

Yes, you are right - I have thought about this,  think they will be getting a swift phone call on Monday morning. If they supply a new pair then  ... if not then it will be  ... and I shall be taking my money elsewhere.

[Entwood]

I'd be on to the suppliers PDQ .. if they are NOT a "matching pair" .. which IMHO is an absolute neccessity for steering parts, then they are "not fit for the purpose for which sold".

I would be demanding a new "matching pair" ... both sides replaced .. or they would be getting a some deep trouble ... including Trading Standards, and Small Claims Court  

Yes, you are right - I have thought about this,  think they will be getting a swift phone call on Monday morning. If they supply a new pair then  ... if not then it will be  ... and I shall be taking my money elsewhere.

In which case they win ... Trading Standards is a phone call away or try

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy

If you get worried phone the number top left, free impartial advice and even tell you what to put in your letter.

[FRE07962128]

Hi guys, my Mega has just recently started to drift to the left of the road when I let go of the wheel, but when I brake it pulls quite violently to the left and feels as though the rear is pitching across to the right?!

I had the tracking done about 2500 miles ago and have 4 good tyres all round. Steering idler and wishbones have been done. Had new discs and pads last year about 5000 miles ago. Has always driven and braked nice and straight in the past.

I'm thinking the tracking has slipped out and is steering the car left, but would it pull that violently under medium braking? or is there a problem in the brakes too?  :-/

Any help would be great  

Not being simple about it, and understanding it could well be the wishbones, but have you checked the tyre pressures?  Sorry if this is insulting your knowledge and intelligence, but sometimes we miss the obvious by being blinded by the technical;  a common story in the 1970's was of a man who could not cure an annoying rattle in his car, only to find it was coins in the ashtray!

Lizzie Zoom  

[FRE07962128]

Hi guys, my Mega has just recently started to drift to the left of the road when I let go of the wheel, but when I brake it pulls quite violently to the left and feels as though the rear is pitching across to the right?!

I had the tracking done about 2500 miles ago and have 4 good tyres all round. Steering idler and wishbones have been done. Had new discs and pads last year about 5000 miles ago. Has always driven and braked nice and straight in the past.

I'm thinking the tracking has slipped out and is steering the car left, but would it pull that violently under medium braking? or is there a problem in the brakes too?  :-/

Any help would be great  

Before you do anything please read under the section 'Omega FAQ' "Omegas and Camber:- Explanation" on this site which COULD answer your technical problem.  (This is probably better than my earlier typre pressure point!)  

Lizzie Zoom

[platty]

Not being simple about it, and understanding it could well be the wishbones, but have you checked the tyre pressures?

Its funny you should say that, popped into Tesco Sat morning and the front left had 13psi... Pumped up and problem solved  

Seems I have a slow puncture - what a t*t, lesson learnt, look at the simple things first.