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[downsmen]

whilst driving today i noticed that the car has just started pulling to the left so much so i have to steer the opposite way.
Any ideas??

[JezInBrum]

Could be one of a few things. How are the front tyres wearing?

[downsmen]

front tryes are wearing evenly

[Ghost]

Could be stearing Idler arm or wishbone bushes knackered

[downsmen]

how will i be able to check for these possibilitys?

[Ghost]

If you jack the front of the cat up and look behind the wheel ( better taking them off ) you will see a bar that goes from one side to the other, There is a small bar that goes from a ball joint from the big bar to the body of the car.
Try pushing the big bar ( hand neer the ball joint ) up and down, If it moves then you will need a new stearing Idler arm, Here is a pic of the arm.


Hope that helps a bit.
Sorry I dont know how to check the wishbones though, but it would be nice to find out Hint Hint

[downsmen]

Thanks i'll have a look tomorrow if its fine, dont fancy getting to wet. been raining lots today.

[JezInBrum]

Wishbones were my first thought but as there is no uneven wear it to mind ruled out the possibility. Is it possible that the brake cliper sliders may have seized on one side?

[feeutfo]

whilst driving today i noticed that the car has just started pulling to the left so much so i have to steer the opposite way.
Any ideas??

Wishbone bushes, stearing idler, track road ends, and least likely stearing knuckle on the wheel end of the wishbone may individually contribute.

 If its just started pulling, then tyre ware wont show yet. But it needs sorting before it does cost you a tyre or 2 possibly. My moneys on wishbone bushes tho, jack the car and examine the bushes on the in board end of the wishbone. Your looking for rips and tears in the rubber, lever the wishbone and see if there is any slop. There will be movement, they are rubber, thats the idea, but your looking for uncontrolled movement, play or visible damage, if that makes sense.

Grab the road wheel in 12 and 6 oclock positions and rock it, for play in the wheel baring, and again in 9 and 3 oclock position for any play or knocking in track rod ends or stearing.

Stearing idler, grab hold of it and check for any play in the vertical plane.

Replace as appropriate, check for broken springs while your there and get it set up. Full geometric set up. Don t bother with tracking. See wheels in motion web site, or similar company near you. Hth

[feeutfo]

ah, if its only when breaking, then you have a problem with lack of breaking efficiency on the non pulling side. Check the brake pad and disc surfaces and that the sliders are free and not binding, and that the piston is not sticking.

Although wishbone bushes can also affect this.

 Hth a bit more. 

[downsmen]

Just had the wheel off and had a look the tyre is starting to scrub on the inside, about 1/2 inch so far The wishbone has got a lot of play in it. when i put a bar in between the wishbone and anti roll bar it moves about 1cm maybe more. the rear bush has pieces of rubber starting to flake off.
Is this normal or are the bushes Knackered.

If they are useless can i swap the wishbone over from a 1996 saloon as this has failed it MOT and will be heading for the Scrap YARD
I have a 2000 estate (Facelift) or are they different.

also one last thing, in the haynes manual they say to use new bolts, is this really necessary

[feeutfo]

just age alone would suggest bushes are gone, imho. So the other cars bushes are not likely to be any better, unless its owner changed them.

I never bothered with new bolts. Rightly or wrongly.

[downsmen]

is it cheaper and easier to replace the wishbones complete or replace the bushes

[feeutfo]

is it cheaper and easier to replace the wishbones complete or replace the bushes

Buy new complete. But keep the old ones if you want to press your own with firmer or poly bushes. Or you could press the ones from the other car first prior to fitting thinking about it.

 I would not try to press the ones fitted to your car and re fit all in one go unless your very confident and have the required tools. Its a bit of a mare to press them in and out, damage to the new bush is possible and then your stuffed. You will need 2 differant size drifts, i guess, that fit the outside edge without pressing on the centre spacer, which makes it a very tight tolerance, you cant just use a large socket or "something". 10 ton press needed too.
Its much easier to fit new, they can be had for 50 a pair as pattern parts, fia or similar, or if you want lemforder same as GM but without the GM sticker i beleive autovaux do them for 110 odd. Dont bother with the GM sticker items from vx they are about £230 a side.

Think there is a guide re fitting in maintenance, but it does not cover the bolt torqueing procedure which must be done with the car on the ground or suspension loaded or they'll fail early due the extended position of the suspension. They must be clamped in their normal ride hight position, or as close as possible to it. Hth

[seosamh]

whilst driving today i noticed that the car has just started pulling to the left so much so i have to steer the opposite way.
Any ideas??

Wishbone bushes, stearing idler, track road ends, and least likely stearing knuckle on the wheel end of the wishbone may individually contribute.

 If its just started pulling, then tyre ware wont show yet. But it needs sorting before it does cost you a tyre or 2 possibly. My moneys on wishbone bushes tho, jack the car and examine the bushes on the in board end of the wishbone. Your looking for rips and tears in the rubber, lever the wishbone and see if there is any slop. There will be movement, they are rubber, thats the idea, but your looking for uncontrolled movement, play or visible damage, if that makes sense.

Grab the road wheel in 12 and 6 oclock positions and rock it, for play in the wheel baring, and again in 9 and 3 oclock position for any play or knocking in track rod ends or stearing.

Stearing idler, grab hold of it and check for any play in the vertical plane.

Replace as appropriate, check for broken springs while your there and get it set up. [size=14]Full geometric set up[/size]. Don t bother with tracking. See [size=14]wheels in motion [/size]web site, or similar company near you. Hth

how much does vxhall charge for this?
what is the website you mention