Car Drifts to Right

[tompass]

Checked a number of posts where owners state that their car pulls to the left. My car every so slightly does not pull but does drift to the right without regard to crown in road. Not enough yet to get back and request the free alignment but will continue to monitor. Anyone else experience this? Not so much at city speeds but pronounced a highway speeds. Just enough to be annoying.

 

[homeofstone]

Did it drift to right before the new tires? If so it most likely needs a slight alignment adjustment in caster or camber.

 

[w211e46]

I had an issue like this after I hit a pretty nasty pothole. After an alignment, all was well.

good luck with your issue

 

[tonygxp]

my alingment was jacked from the factory, car went straight but wheel was at 12:30, no hands that's where it was resting driving down the road, alignment fixed the problem.

 

[tompass]

Only had Dunlops on a few days before swapping out for Bridgestones so don't recall if car had same tendency to drift when I took delivery. Steering wheel is centered when going straight but when let go and at highway speeds, car will eventually drift over to right 100% of the time. I do not look forward to going to dealer for service and and almost prepared to return to tire dealer and pay for a 4 wheel alignment but am concerned if it does correct the problem and I have to go in to dealer for service, I will get some static about non authorized service and some warranty issue. I may also consider having tire dealer just swap the two front tires and if that does not work, then return to dealer.

 

[ifonline]

Vehicles are designed to ever so slightly pull to the right, for safety (US cars, anyway). This helps prevent head-on collisions. Strong pulling to the right would be wrong, but a slow drift to the right would be proper alignment.

 

[tompass]

Sounds logical although I never heard that before. Interesting to note that many owners report that car tracks straight whether upon delivery or after realignment. I just double checked my car tracking and when in left lane on highway that has obvious bias to left, the car tracks straight. So no doubt there is strong tendency for car to drift right. I think I may just roll the dice and have tire shop do a 4 wheel realignment tomorrow. Cost me a few bucks but just don't feel liking scheduling an appointment, driving to dealer, and sitting there for couple of hours.

 

[rhduke00]

Sounds logical although I never heard that before. Interesting to note that many owners report that car tracks straight whether upon delivery or after realignment. I just double checked my car tracking and when in left lane on highway that has obvious bias to left, the car tracks straight. So no doubt there is strong tendency for car to drift right. I think I may just roll the dice and have tire shop do a 4 wheel realignment tomorrow. Cost me a few bucks but just don't feel liking scheduling an appointment, driving to dealer, and sitting there for couple of hours.

Back in March, my Geneis was approaching 12,000 miles. I didn't know if my car needed an allignment but I knew that if it did and the mileage was less than 12,000, it would be on Hyundai. However, my dealer told me it costs them just as much to check the allignment as to do the allignment and if everything checked out to be in spec, then it would cost me $89.00. So I took my car to a local tire shop and paid them 31.00 to check the alignment. After checking my car out, they told me the right front camber, rear left camber, and rear left toe were all out of spec. They also told me the front camber is non adjustable (which is true, however, either front wheels camber can be corrected by using shims). I then went to my dealer and showed the service adviser the spec sheet and scheduled an appointment for the next day. I dropped off my car the next morning on the way to work and the dealer gave me a 2011 Sonata loaner which I returned in the afternoon when I picked up my car. Both the allignment and the loaner were at no cost to me.

The service advisor said they used shims to get the right front camber in spec. So if your tire shop tells you the front camber is out of spec and it's not adjustable ask them to use shims.

 

[tompass]

Thanks! Going tomorrow morning and info will be very useful.

 

[ifonline]

The issue here is what each of us defines as "slight pull to the right." Therefore, if you feel like something is wrong, then by all means have it checked. I have read were people complain that they get tired after driving for an extended period because they have to work to keep the car moving straight. I would say that is definitely not right. I have no idea what you are experiencing, however, if that makes sense.

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[tompass]

Just annoying to keep some left pressure on steering wheel. Saw Semper Fi on your signature. My son is currently active USMC Captain so back atcha in his honor.

 

[tompass]

Just returned from tire shop after having 4 wheel alignment done. Big improvement but they also swapped two front tires. I have a bunch of numbers/values that mean little to me that I could share with anyone should they want them.

 

[ifonline]

My son is currently active USMC Captain so back atcha in his honor.

Pass on a Semper Fi for me.

 

[tompass]

Will do.

 

[tonygxp]

Just returned from tire shop after having 4 wheel alignment done. Big improvement but they also swapped two front tires. I have a bunch of numbers/values that mean little to me that I could share with anyone should they want them.

just completed the last 300 mile stretch of my road trip. glad it worked out for you. i tested the alignment a million times on this trip as late as a few hours ago in Delaware. the car is extremely crown sensitive. doesn't bother me, i know it's a biproduct of its makeup (low pro tires, tight suspension, aggressive camber etc.) but if i stayed center or left lane i have to hold the wheel at 12:30 to keep the car straight or it'll drift left pretty good. but as soon as i go to the right lane it's just the opposite. and then on the flat concrete bridges the wheel is dead center and it tracks perfectly (which is reassuring because you would swear something isn't right on the rest of the hwy lol).

 

[tompass]

No question that it is crown sensitive but less so now after the alignment. Shop told me that the toe in was the culprit in my case. Of course, it could have been the simple swapping of front tires, but I am a much happier camper now. Glad you are back in NJ safe and sound.

 

[tonygxp]

thanks, me too!! on a side note i passed by the dealer and showed them the "touch up" job their guy did and they are painting my rear door, the WHOLE door now. it needed to get done in the first place i just didn't want to admit it and the guy tried his best but on black you gotta be meticulous with paint and repair work to paint.. i'll probably start a thread on it and keep you guys updated as to the process and whether or not i'd give it the thumbs up (as it's actually Lester Glenn's own state of the art body shop, place is huge).

 

[tompass]

Such a great car so best to get it done right. Keep us posted.