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Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 12:42 am
by Dego
Since the day I bought my car a 2011 Kizashi it puled to the drivers side. I returned to the dealership three times to have them realign it. Each time they showed me the computer print out that showed that the care was aligned.

At low speeds its not overly noticeable but at highway seeds its very apparent. I travel on the highway at about 80MPH and at that speed I am down right fighting the wheel.

This week I declared the issue must be my tires. Almost out of tread anyway I decided it was time. I invested in four brand new Eagle GTA's they came with a free front wheel alignment and I paid for the four wheel. The print out showed that the front was in line before and after they made adjustments but the rear wheels where way out. AH HA! that must have been the problem. Excited to get on the road and let go of my wheel I raced to the highway only to find that the car pulls exactly the same as it did before.

I have tested in and out of AWD with the same results.
Anyone else having this issue?

I am trying to remain positive about this car but I am accruing a list of issues that should not occur on a "luxury" car and I am strongly considering selling it.

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:54 am
by Moto
Ask around your home town and try to find a better alignment shop. A good alignment shop should be able to correct the problem. In spec or not it sounds like something is out of alignment. No accidents correct? A slightly bent frame could cause the problem.

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 12:02 pm
by Ronzuki
Computer's are not the end-all-be-all gods of everything. An out of calibration, or even damaged, alignment rack can easily cause this. The print-out wouldn't indicate such an anomaly now would it? Find another shop.

Another thing, it's been my experience after 4 alignments that the best driving results on my GTS is that all adjustment indicators need to be spot on dead-center of the adjustment ranges on a calibrated rack. Within the "OK Green" ranges simply doesn't cut it for the best overall driving experience. Right now I'm on a modified adjustment from a shop that really knows suspensions as an experiment. It's handling well and holding the corners tightly, but is very 'twitchy' for everyday driving with little to no steering input.

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 10:39 pm
by krell
Where in PA is this shop also the name wanna check it out

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 1:26 am
by Ronzuki
The best all-around alignment I had was done by my long-time mechanic at the local GMC dealer in New Holland right after they installed a brand new rack. Their old one had issues from too much non-alignment type work being done on it. Much to my disappointment, he's no longer there and working at an auction house where I don't have access to him. I won't recommend the GMC dealer now that he's gone. I no longer use them myself.

The latest experimental one was done at a restoration and collision shop I was referred to by the foreman of the new garage I'm using that does not have their own rack yet. Told the guy what it was doing and about the issues Kiz's seem to have with tires wearing funny. We went for a spirited ride (he drove) and made some adjustments outside of the 'published' settings. Not comfortable enough yet with them to issue a 'recommendation', especially since it would be a huge trip for you to make. Maybe after another alignment with positive results. Come the end of summer, I'd like them to get it dialed back in dead-nuts like my old mechanic had at the GMC dealer...that one took him a long time, but it was as perfect as it could get and drove better than it did new. Sadly, the worst alignment I had done was at the Zuk dealer in Frazer (you know the place). Other than that, they've been doing well for me on general zuk warranty work and inspections. Performing alignments isn't for everyone, some mechanics will admit hating the task. Some vehicles take a lot of effort, the Kiz being one IMHO, and dealers usually can't afford the time to get some cars set right.

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 11:17 pm
by Dego
Two more alignments and a trip to a garage. Nothing out of line, nothing bent or broken.
Fuck this car. I drive almost 80 miles a day and I fighting the wheel the whole time.
Someone please total this load of shit so I can buy a real car.

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 4:22 pm
by LPSISRL
Did you check and make sure that all 4 tires you purchased were the same size? It's not unheard of to get a wrong tire size installed and that would give you issues.

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:22 pm
by golftango
Which lane do you travel in? Left hand (fast) lane? If so, it will most always pull to the left as that is how the crown of the road sits. Try the center/travel lane and see if it still pulls.

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:19 pm
by KuroNekko
Did you buy the car used or brand new? As Moto stated, a bent frame from an accident may cause an irreparable pull.
Also, have you had the wheel bearings and the suspension thoroughly checked?

Re: Pulling to the drivers side!

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 8:40 pm
by Dego
golftango wrote:Which lane do you travel in? Left hand (fast) lane? If so, it will most always pull to the left as that is how the crown of the road sits. Try the center/travel lane and see if it still pulls.
I drive in both lanes. If your comment was fact wouldn't it pull to the right when you are in the right hand lane because of the crown of the road? In both lanes it pulls to the drivers side.

Anyone wanna buy a 2011 with 31K miles on it?
Ice blue, loaded brand new (all the same size) Eagle GTA's, Auto.