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RE: Pull to Left

To: "'Runnion, Ed'" <Ed_Runnion@regionofdoom.com>, <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Subject: RE: Pull to Left
From: "Michael R. Clements" <mrclem@telocity.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 09:26:05 -0700
Thanks Ed. If the new tires don't fix the problem, then I will check
this out.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Runnion, Ed [mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 08:41
> To: 'Michael R. Clements'; ba-autox@autox.team.net
> Subject: RE: Pull to Left
> 
> 
> OK, I think I wasn't clear :^)
> 
> The "leak" will NOT be an "external" leak.  You won't see any 
> fluid leaking from the rack, and the fluid level won't 
> change.  Rather, it will be INSIDE the steering rack, 
> allowing fluid to flow between chambers inside the rack.
> 
> Moving the wheel lock-to-lock will not affect anything.
> 
> And with this issue, you will still have just fine power 
> steering assist. What happens though is that when the rack is 
> cold, it will "pull" to one side as the fluid leak inside the 
> rack causes the rack itself to "move" when
> it shouldn't.     The rack heats up, the seals start sealing 
> much better,
> and the effect gets less (or disappears completely).
> 
> Of course, check the "easier" things first like tires and 
> dragging brake calipers, but your diagnosis so far has done 
> nothing to "rule out" this as the problem.
> 
> Ed Runnion            Santa Clara CA
> mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com
> 96 Chevy Impala SS, ESP #984
> 02 Subaru WRX SportWagon, DS #984
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael R. Clements [mailto:mrclem@telocity.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 7:48 AM
> To: Runnion, Ed; ba-autox@autox.team.net
> Cc: mrclem@telocity.com
> Subject: RE: Pull to Left
> 
> 
> The power steering works just fine, does not leak, and the 
> fluid is at the correct level. I tried pulling over and 
> moving the steering wheel lock to lock a couple of times, but 
> it did not affect the problem.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Runnion, Ed [mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 13:56
> To: 'ba-autox@autox.team.net'
> Cc: 'mrclem@telocity.com'
> Subject: Pull to Left
> 
> 
> >Car pulls to the left when driving. Has never done this before, was 
> >fine in the morning, parked for about 3 hours, was doing it when I 
> >started it up and drove away. Was not hit by anything, nor was it 
> >tampered with
> 
> >The pull happens only when cold. After about 5 miles of driving, the 
> >left pull is greatly reduced as to be barely detectable -- but still 
> >there.
> 
> I think this last sentence is key : it happens when cold.
> 
> Does the car have power steering?   If so, this points to 
> issues in the PS
> rack.   Namely, leaking internal seals.   Once the leaking 
> seals heat up,
> they "seal" better and the mysterious pull goes away.
> 
> Some of the GM cars in the 80's were famous for doing this.
> 
> Ed Runnion       Santa Clara CA
> mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com
> 96 Chevy Impala SS, ESP #984
> 02 Subaru WRX SportWagon, DS #984

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