Why is my FD pulling to the RIGHT???!!!

[Clarky]

This often happens if you change wheels, when you have had a steering problem you cant solve, but this has proved that you have a wheel or tyre that is a different weight often happens with alloys, so get the front wheels balanced again now you have changed them over.

[noyzboy]

If the REAR tyres are have a different rolling radius, the car will pull one way on acceleration and the other way on deceleration, probalbly due to the LSD operation.
For your front wheel problem, are the wheel offsets the same
Was the car pulling BEFORE you got it aligned???

Martin H

[ash]

I took both wheels off to measure the offset and came out with these results:-

Nearside...


Offside...


This measured all the same, approx. 150mm from hub facing to underneath of wood.

The REASON why the car pulls to the left is because of this...


If you notice the left hand side of the tyre tread has bulged all the way around! OUTSIDE OF ALLOY IS ON THE RIGHT HANDSIDE. Now compare this to my normal tyre...


So, due to the nearside tyre bulging one side this creates a slopping effect from right to left and therefore if the tyre is on the left the car pulls to the left. If the tyre was on the RIGHT like it was before the opposite happens...

Amazing, the simpliest of things to check really, Tyre Condition

[BlitzBoy]

wow Im surprised the tyre guys never noticed this before.
Well done Ash!!!

[ash]

Yep me too, however the guy who swapped my alloys over had to call for assistance as he couldnt line up the multi-hole pattern :Hammer

[Paul-Tll]

what do you think may of caused this tyre \'bulging\' how old are the tyres? was it durring last fitting or initial fitting? What did you have them inflated at?
was the camber way out and caused this over many years do you do lots of trackdays or do you park on a  slope! oh and what make are they?
sorry for all the questions but found the whole thread interesting and this could help us all at some stage?
Thanks
Paul

[ash]

Hi Paul, no problem with all the questions. Lets try and answer them:

Tyres are quite new - were on the car when i bought them but was told they were new, so lets say less than 6months. Tread is between 6-7mm.

Fitting - as mentioned they were on the car when i bought it.

Inflation psi - I had the guys at the 4W alignment infalte them to 32psi. The problem existed before the inflated them. Original pressure was 30psi.

Camber - Camber was not that far out originally, but had it adjusted to within Mazda specifications and the problem was still there.

Trackdays - never done one in the FD but would love to!

Parking on the slope - Nope, my driveway and garage is all flat

Make and Model - Dunlop Le Mans!!

I believe that it is a faulty tyre where there has been a poor grade of rubber.

If, this can help anyone where they have issues with the car pulling to the left first check the following:

1/. Tyres, tread wear, bulges on tread and/or walls, pressure.
2/. Check tyres size and offset of wheels by doing above method.
3/. Go for a drive and check how hot the brake pistons have become. If even the ok.
4/. Check suspension components (bushes etc) and steering wheel angle.
5/. If possible, swap front wheels with rear wheels and see if problems exist or change wheels.
6/. Get tracking checked - then if out get it fixed. Most places wont charge for checking only.
7/. Maybe do this first, but check or any chassis damage.

Hope this helps. When i have enough cash to get a new tyre or 2 I will let you know on this thread.

Best regards :Thumbsup!
Ash

[MaLicE]

i would email the tyre manufacturer! it will have a build date on it spoke to a mate of mine who is a tyre monkey and mentioned this after seeing your pic, he said that doesnt matter on the age that is a serious fault! dunlop will collect the tyre and test it and he said the likely hood is you will get a new set of rubber... you gotta kick up a fuss though hope that helps!

[Paul-Tll]

Thanks Ash, this has become very usefull for future use. Just one more thought has the car been on a low loader where it may have been strapped down over the wheels/tyres at some stage/
Cheers
Paul.

[ash]

Paul, I doubt it has but I cant verify this as I have never needed a low loader plus its not mega low.

Malice - I will definately give that a try - its actually very dangerous!

[royal]

Bloody hell, never seen anything like that before and I\'ve killed some tyres in my time!! glad you sorted it.

[MaLicE]

i would be tempted to take it off and measure inside of each edge and check if its deformed, if its different sizes that is a major manufacture floor! it might just of been fitted wrong though and the bead isnt seated right?

[ash]

Malice , do you mean this?

This is the outer part of the tyre - and measures 80mm - where the tyre is normal.



This is the inner part of the tyre where it bulges and measures 90mm!!



I will defienately write to Dunlop.

Regards
Ash

[MaLicE]

i meant remove it from the rim and measure the diameter of the beads but still that is shocking!

[ash]

I received an email bak from Dunlop this morning which was a pretty good reply time. Anyway, I have attached the email. The problem I have is I didnt buy the tyre, only the car and I dont know where the tyre was purchased, so I cant take it back their.

What do you lot think I should do?

Thank you for your email,

The Le Mans is a tyre that has not been produced for many years , so you can check the age of the tyre from the sidewall,

A tyre age can be established from the DOT markings on the tyre. Your tyre dealer should be able to show you this on the side wall of the tyre or look at http://www.dunloptyres.co.uk/site/tyres/car/sidewallMarkings/ which shows you what DOT markings looks like. Click on letter L.  


However ,

Our passenger tyres are warranted for 5 years from date of manufacture or date of purchase if proof can be shown.  The warranty covers manufacturing and materials but not accidental damage natural wear etc caused during use.

We offer a tyre inspection service for any tyre dealer or member of the public. Vehicle main agents and tyre dealers can send tyres back for inspection if they have an account with us.  If they do not have an account the return can be made through their wholesaler who will then arrange to return the tyre here on their behalf.  With regards to returns it is always best to give the product to the person who took your money for it when new.  This best covers you under the sale of goods act.

Should we during our inspection offer an allowance (allowances granted  are not an admission of liability) it will be % based and is worked out using the remaining tread depth of the tyre.  We then advise the recommended allowance to the account holder by letter. A letter advising you of the results is also sent as long as your name and address have been included on the complaint form that dealers raise.  If the dealer has no forms they can obtain pads from the BTMA on 0207 457 5040.

The allowance will be made to the account holder who returned the tyre to us.  It will be based on their purchase price of the tyre from us.  Most dealers will then normally reflect that allowance back to their customer based on their payment price should of course the tyre or a replacement tyre have been brought from them.  You will need to speak to your dealer regarding their complaint tyre policy and allowance reimbursement to yourself.

If no allowance is offered on your tyre we will hold it for 14 days.  The tyre will then be disposed of.  Should you require your tyre back you will need to arrange for a carrier to pick it up within the 14 day period.  The return cost would need to be covered by yourself.  Carriage costs from the account holding dealer to ourselves are covered by us regardless of the outcome.

Regards,

David Mullin
Product Support & Service

Ash