In a message dated 1/29/2004 10:30:34 AM Pacific Standard Time,
owner-ax-digest@autox.team.net writes:
> Ok, that being said, here's what I have going on - hopefully some
> suspension/chassis wizzes out there will have an idea of what I should
>check.... When
> I accelerate, the car will pull to the left. When I lift off, it pulls to
> the right. Under purposeful braking, it tracks pretty much straight after
> adjusting for the right pull. I don't think it's torque-steer, since this
> happens at very low throttle levels and under the slightest throttle lift.
>
The only time I experienced this type of handling, it was on a 1991 Chrysler
minivan. When new it was fine, but after a few months it would start to pull
under power, but coast and brake straight. A few months later it started
pulling the opposite way while coasting, but also would brake straight, just as
you
describe. It turned out to be a bad tie rod end that had a considerable amount
of slop in it. It was replaced under warranty for no charge, and the problem
was totally gone, but just a year later it started coming back again. Sure
enough, the new factory tie rod end was loose again after just 10,000 miles.
With
just the force of my hands I was able to change the toe about 1/4 inch due to
the slop in the tie rod end. This time I put on a TRW tie rod end and the
problem didn't come back until I retired the beast in 2000.
If your tie rod ends (inners and outers) all check good, I would look into
all the suspension pivots for any kind of slop that could allow a toe change.
Also check the front struts as I have also had the strut rod guides go bad and
allow the rod to wobble a bit causing toe to change with power/braking. The
effect was not as dramatic as the tie rod end, but the feeling was similar.
Under
power it would feel floaty and it made some light clunking over bumps.
Good Luck
Gary M.
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