When I'm out driving, whenever I get to a flat road (ie, not cambered), I'll take my hands off the wheel and see if it goes straight. I use this to test the balance and stability of the car. I've noticed that my car pulls ever so slightly to the left. Is this normal? If so, is it due to the fact that it is a front wheel drive vehicle and the drive wheel (which ever one it is, I'm not sure-anyone know?) causes the car to pull in that direction. If this is not normal, is this more likely an alignment issue or wheel balance issue?

Thanks, Greg

 

It's most likely an alignment issue. Was vtec kickin in when this happened?

 

Check your tire pressure. Otherwise, if it is bugging you that much, go to the dealer and get an alignment (if it is still under warranty). Driving at a constant speed on a level surface shouldn't pull to either side (drastically). If you are accelerating aggressively and this is occurring, it could be torque steer.

 

In my experience as an auto tech. you can never get a car to go exactly straight.....forever that is, after you let go of the wheel. Any car is going to have a slight pull to one side. Now when I say slight, i mean you dont have to fight the car to go straight.

Now, if you are on a level road and it obviously pulls as soon as you let go of the steering wheel, you might have a problem.

But, if it goes to one side very slightly, after sometime has passed going straight, thats normal.

Now keep in mind the common factors of road surface, tire pressure, gas pedal pressure and most importantly, you're sitting in the car.

All alignments are done with no one sitting in the vehicle.

 

Mine has always seemed to do this, it has been aligned twice, balanced etc. but always seems to slightly drift to the left. I guess I have just got used to it. My 2004 Accord did the same thing.

 

Thanks guys. I should have been more specific. I was not under heavy acceleration. I do my best to maintain constant speed when doing this. As I stated, it is VERY slight.

Based on the last 2 responses, I believe this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. If it gets worse, I'll have it looked into. I'm of the opinion that it is due to the fact that this is a front wheel drive car and that the drive wheel is causing a slight pulling or even a gyroscopic effect on the wheels.

 

Apologies FG, this is a well known issue with these cars.

Mine has pulled infuriatingly to the left for 35K now, despite having the right rear control arm replaced under warranty. I am definitely not the only one. There's a TSB out on this, but I've had too many beers tonight to search up the link for ya right now.

Several have installed the Ingalls rear camber kit to rectify this situation, and I'm next. For some reason, a decent percentage of cars have a right-rear wheel which is way out of whack on camber. Sometimes the right rear control arm upgrade (under warranty) solves the problem, sometimes not. Find out what your alignment specs are and go from there.

Front drive cars should pull dead straight except under extreme hard accelleration in low gear situations......or anytime if that car happens to be a Saab Viggen on a bad road.

Best,
-Mirror

 

Just to update you guys. Brought the car into the dealer this AM. Diagnosed the car and said it was out of alignment plus the front 2 tires were out of balance. Needless to sy, they rebalanced and re-aligned under warranty. The car runs very straight and smooth now. All is good with the world once again.

Just goes to show that these cars can run true when properly adjusted.