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Nissan Primera pulling sharply to the left ?
stevegough - 11/12/12 at 07:37 AM

Drove my son's car yesterday, it seems to have developed quite a severe pull to the left.
Now, in my experience, this can be down to brakes binding or low tyre pressure.
Its tyres 'look' fine, but I haven't actually checked the pressures yet, and feeling the
brake discs through the wheel, they were only slightly warm.

I have the car here in the garage today, any help / inspiration / ideas / things I can do to test it / repair it?

Thanks in anticipation of the usual helpful responses.....

britishtrident - 11/12/12 at 07:44 AM

If pulling only under braking then it is 95% chance a seized front calliper.

[Edited on 11/12/12 by britishtrident]

stevegough - 11/12/12 at 07:58 AM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
If pulling only under braking then it is 95% chance a seized front calliper.

[Edited on 11/12/12 by britishtrident]


No, sorry BT, its pulling is constant, and when you brake, it doesn't get any worse (or better).

mcerd1 - 11/12/12 at 08:37 AM

suspension bushes ?

or has he hit any kerbs / big pot holes ?

stevegough - 11/12/12 at 09:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
suspension bushes ?

or has he hit any kerbs / big pot holes ?


Not as far as we know, I'm going to get under it shortly to inspect what I can (but its bluddee ccold out there!)

MK9R - 11/12/12 at 09:13 AM

just changed lower wishbone bushes and a track rod on my clio as its pulled left under acceleration and right under braking

mark chandler - 11/12/12 at 09:34 AM

Swap wheels left to right and see if the pull follows them.

Earlier this year my car suddenly started pulling to the near side, changed suspension bushes, road springs, steering rack bushes and in the end it was the tyre !

It had delaminated on its outside circumference, you only noticed when standing the two next to each other, was a very expensive Bridgestone tyre not a remould although was 10 years old.

I should have started with basics, suggest you do as well.

Regards Mark

stevegough - 11/12/12 at 09:46 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
Swap wheels left to right and see if the pull follows them.

Earlier this year my car suddenly started pulling to the near side, changed suspension bushes, road springs, steering rack bushes and in the end it was the tyre !

It had delaminated on its outside circumference, you only noticed when standing the two next to each other, was a very expensive Bridgestone tyre not a remould although was 10 years old.

I should have started with basics, suggest you do as well.

Regards Mark


Thanks, Mark - but in actual fact, earlier this morning I had already read your earlier account of this 'delaminating' and it was what I was going to do first - the tyre 'looks' ok, but you really can't tell what's happening inside it.

Peteff - 11/12/12 at 10:16 AM

With my Nissan van it was always the brake slides sticking. It used to do it every year without fail in the winter just when you want to be messing about with cars.

mark chandler - 11/12/12 at 01:23 PM

Jaguar I had started doing this as well, rusty brake piston stopping the pads from releasing causing the wheel to bind.

Always happens when you least want it

ian locostzx9rc2 - 11/12/12 at 03:16 PM

Primeras can be very sensitive to tyre issues p12 primeras with 17 inch wheels are the worst ,swop wheels over first,then check suspension bushes for wear and broken coil springs!! then look at binding brakes.. hope this is of some use.

[Edited on 11/12/12 by ian locostzx9rc2]

stevegough - 11/12/12 at 03:22 PM

Ok, all sorted now - it was exactly as Mark Chandler suggested - I swapped them over, and lo and behold, it pulled sharply to the RIGHT.
Replaced both front tyres, as they were both down to about 2-3 mm of tread anyway, and the car now drives perfectly!

Thanks to all you guys, once again.