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[wildhog70]

hi all

new to this site and at the end of my tether.  i have a 3ltr 96 omega elite which pulls violently to the left underbraking. a full half turn of steering to the right is needed to keep it away from the countryside.  we have checked everything we can think of, bushes, arms, track rods, suspension, hoses, calipers, fluids, pads, discs, bearings, pressure test on brakelines, allignment, tyres, have we missed something? anything we need to recheck?

[Andy B]

I can't add anything to your list, you seem to have checked all the obvious.
My first thoughts would have been bushes in the wishbones as they do seem to be a common fail part.  :-/

[Evo]

I think you've covered all the options & you have a severe problem.

You are likely to be more expert than me but to my mind the most likely cause is unequal braking on the front wheels. Have you thought of getting a MOT station to check its actual braking performance on their setup?

[wildhog70]

hi evo, yeah tested the pressure on both brake lines at the calipers and they are identical, calipers have been stripped and are like new inside, brakes and discs have been swapped over but still pulling to left.

thanks

[Evo]

Thanks for your response to my message. After I posted, I wondered if you had differing hardness of pads at the front ... but you have eliminated that as a factor.

Have you eliminated the ABS system as a possible cause or checked for malfunction on the rear offside brake?

It may help others to help you, if you describe when you first noticed it, has it got worse over time & does it happen every time you brake or only during severe braking?

If the MOT is soon to run out you could put it in early & see if anything comes up.

Must be an infuriating problem to have unsolved.

[jb]

wishbones will be the issue or the left one in your case-recheck the bushes..........

[dbug]

Checked the caliper slides are all free and not seized?

[V6 CDX-er]

Forgive me from perhaps stating the obvious, but I don't see any mention of tyre pressures? Also it isn't something daft is it, like different size tyres on the front?

What's the tracking like?

[wildhog70]

to everyone that has replied thank you.  i cant work out how to answer you individually so please accept my appologies.  I have checked all the issues mentioned with the exception of the abs as its outside our expertise and out side the ability of our local vauxhall dealer. my mechanic is developing a serious twitch over this car. first thing checked was wishbone and bushes, there was massive movement on the left so this was replaced it made no difference at all. then we have replaced the other side and then one after the other checked and replaced, swaped, exchanged parts all to no avail.  its like putting a tea bag in a cup and getting coffee it doesnt make sense. tyre sizes are correct and pressures are correct.  thanks everyone so far!!

[2woody]

has the steering wheel ever been off ?

ifthe steering wheel and the steering box have become mis-aligned, you can get this.

when the steering wheel is pointing straight ahead, the U/J down the column MUST be straight up and the steering box drop-arm must point straight ahead.

all of this can be wrong, yet the alignment still ok.

[wildhog70]

thats interesting! will check that out cheers woody 2

[Evo]

Looks like you can eliminate the ABS & the traction control system as a cause by just removing the appropriate fuse (F19?) from the fusebox under the steering wheel.

[feeutfo]

Checked the caliper slides are all free and not seized?

Yes, is the pad wear even, calliper centring on the disc ok....?

Steering idler play....?

Broken spring can be hard to spot...?

Pitman arm on steering box should point straight ahead.

Checked rear brakes and suspension bushes...?(if the pull sensation is not felt through the steering wheel, just a correction)

Use quote button top right for individual replys.

[feeutfo]

Where are you roughly? Maybe someone can have a look see.

[wildhog70]

Looks like you can eliminate the ABS & the traction control system as a cause by just removing the appropriate fuse (F19?) from the fusebox under the steering wheel.

good idea will try that