Defcon5 Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 I have been on a big economy drive with the GTI lately (300+ to a tank!) but drove it in anger for the first time in a while today. With no throttle, the car drives straight, it brakes in a straight line. It handles the same as ever, and is perfectly stable at 70+mph.However when you accelerate, it pulls left - the harder you accelerate the harder it pulls. If I let go of the wheel whilst at WOT in 2nd I would instantly be off the road. WOT in 6th at 70 and it pulls left, but much more gently. In other words, the more torque at the wheels, the more if pulls left.I hit a big pothole with the NSF wheel in October, however this seems to have only come on recently. Tracking is fine, (checked by 3 places) and nothing appears to be broken. Hold the steering wheel straight and it goes straight - let go of it and the wheel turns left. Tyres across the axle are the same brand/tread depth. However I got them on the wheels as as such do not know the history of them or the wheels. I had new (3rd party) wishbones fitted a while ago, as well as a new set of baths. Could el cheapo bushes cause this? Could other susp geo being out of spec cause this? It seems fine by eye (my untrained eye that is!)ThanksTom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfbr Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 It could well be that the tracking is spot on when the car is static, but if the car has a knackered bush on one side, then the suspension geometry will change between rolling and acceleration!Get your wishbones checked over Tom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted December 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 The wishbones are both 2 months old, and the bushes look to be fine. Going to change the wheels from front to back tomorrow, see if that changes anything.Could it be an engine mount? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfbr Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 An engine mount shouldn't effect anything as the suspension etc is attached to the subframe. Engine mounts are designed to allow engine movement without affecting the steering/suspension. What wishbones did you fit on? Genuine VW ones or Aftermarket? I've seen some of the aftermarket ones last just 30 days on the car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted December 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 They are 3rd party, and initially I did point the blame at the bushes. I just dont want to blow £100 on fitting some powerflex ones to find it doesnt fix the problem.How likely is it that they are at fault? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99hjhm Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 I would say the big bush is soft in one wishbone, probably NS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted December 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 Go on then, If this fixes it I owe you both a beer! Can get all 4 bushes for £40, know of anywhere cheaper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99hjhm Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 Go on then, If this fixes it I owe you both a beer! Can get all 4 bushes for £40, know of anywhere cheaper?That sounds cheap!!!You could get away with just doing the big ones, as the small ones have such a small diameter and are solid(Unlike other cars). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted December 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 The big ones the rear ones? Although for the sake of another 20 quid I may just do them all, the wishbone is going to have to come off anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99hjhm Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 The big ones the rear ones? Although for the sake of another 20 quid I may just do them all, the wishbone is going to have to come off anywayYes and yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Bushes fitted. They are an excellent upgrade, make a big difference.But its still pulling to the left.Next stop a full alignment check? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_273 Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Sorry if you're already said, but have you checked both tyre pressures are the same? Tyres a matched pair? What about camber, is it the same both sides?Normally if just the tracking is out it puts the steering wheel wonky or wears the tyres unevenly, it doesn't necessarily make the car pull to one side (in my experience anyway).P.S. did you fit the bushes yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Its not an Astra vxr eyy maytee...I had this on my Arosa at 1 point, turned out to be a ever so slightly bent track rod. Most likely from hitting a pothole.As it happens I have recently hit a pothole (or possibly the enterance to a mine, given the size of it)Why would a bent track rod only show itself under acceleration though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Sorry if you're already said, but have you checked both tyre pressures are the same? Tyres a matched pair? What about camber, is it the same both sides?Normally if just the tracking is out it puts the steering wheel wonky or wears the tyres unevenly, it doesn't necessarily make the car pull to one side (in my experience anyway).P.S. did you fit the bushes yourself?No, fitted by a garage, to rule out the probability of me doing anything wrong!Pressures ok, tyres are matched on each axle, but not front to rear (I bought the wheels with the tyres on) Camber is the same to my untrained eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Will add it to the list of possible causes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99hjhm Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 I would get full four wheel alignment done. (Yes I know nothing can be adjusted on the rear!, but worth checking!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treblet Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Have you checked everything attached to the new wishbones is tight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 I would get full four wheel alignment done. (Yes I know nothing can be adjusted on the rear!, but worth checking!)Going to try and find somewhere to do it after work tomorrow, wish me luck!Have you checked everything attached to the new wishbones is tight?Yeah, they are fitted right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkStryder360 Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 As it happens I have recently hit a pothole (or possibly the enterance to a mine, given the size of it)Why would a bent track rod only show itself under acceleration though?I have this. From not concentrating and bashing the left side of my car on potholes, and man hole covers etc. Went to tracking place and guy said the whole front left subframe area of the car has been pushed back.I have a spare subframe but I don't see the point in putting it on to do the same damage. Pulls to the left pretty violently. Makes driving that more interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Just when accelerating? ******* hell.Dare I ask how much new subframes are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treblet Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Just when accelerating? ******* hell.Dare I ask how much new subframes are?Brand new or second hand?Second hand will probably be over £200 and it'll take you at least 4-5 hours to fit if you do it yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Great. Would it definately be damaged or could it just have moved and require refitting?Ill get them to have a look when I get the alignment looked at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treblet Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 If the subframe is damaged then chances are you'll need a whole new one, it's basically one large piece and not particularly easy to repair to a standard that'll be roadworthy and pass an MOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defcon5 Posted January 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 Its passed an MOT as it is now so could it not be that after all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treblet Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Silly question but have you been under the car and had a look for any obvious damage?If you can get under it and take some photos we might be able to help a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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