| nightguy |
In another thread I mentioned that I rotated this afternoon. I did a front to back, back to front and then crossed the front tires. I couldn't find a torque spec except for the spare so I tightened to 80 ft. lbs. I have a dial type torque wrench but as far as I know have never had a problem with acuracy. It also has a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter but that's never seemed to be an issue either even though I've read elsewhere that it can. I might buy a 3/8" digital torque wrench tomorrow.
At first I thought the pull was my imagination but it's definitely going left. Brakes also seem a little more "grabby" but that's got to be me looking for something wrong. I do have a patched tire I moved from the rear left to the front right, but it doesn't seem like a big deal. Is it possible I overtightened ? |
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| DaleB |
A dragging brake is more common than a defective tire I believe.
It's unlikely to be the torque. Especially if applied alternately across the bolts, back and forth.
The mechanical clicker torque wrench sold by Tirerack is very nice for the price. But not digital. Since I keep mine at 80 for 99% of the time, I find it quicker to torque to click, then bother to read a gauge.
When I worked in the aerospace industry, most all were mechanical, but of course were calibrated on a regular basis. (and were very expensive)...But had daily use too.
But having a torque wrench handy is certainly an asset. |
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| nightguy |
Yeah I guess I meant click wrench. I was thinking of one that Sears sells that has a digital readout.
Could I have caused a dragging brake putting the tire on ? It wasn't doing it before I rotated and I've only got 7700 miles. I can't believe that I've managed to louse this up somehow. I did criss-cross as always when I torqued. |
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| TheWorm |
How bad is the pull? Is it a palpable pull @ all speeds, or more like a drift?
80lbft is the right torque (cross pattern as Dale mentioned) and unlikely that is the issue. You could jack it up and spin the wheel to test for a dragging brake, no?
When we rotated @ 15k there was an immediate pull to the left. Took it in for an alignment and it was way out of whack.
I don't know why the pull didn't manifest pre-rotation (someone had mentioned that tires "take a set" or something like that) so perhaps it was mitigated by that. But after the alignment it was straight as an arrow. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
How bad is the pull? Is it a palpable pull @ all speeds, or more like a drift?
80lbft is the right torque (cross pattern as Dale mentioned) and unlikely that is the issue. You could jack it up and spin the wheel to test for a dragging brake, no?
When we rotated @ 15k there was an immediate pull to the left. Took it in for an alignment and it was way out of whack.
I don't know why the pull didn't manifest pre-rotation (someone had mentioned that tires "take a set" or something like that) so perhaps it was mitigated by that. But after the alignment it was straight as an arrow.
The pull is pretty decent- worse at highway speed. I feel like I'm fighting the wheel with a slight compensation unless the road is curving left. I just got back from a road trip over the weekend during which I think it was straight, but I had no reason to think it was off.
I did have the parking brake on when I did the rotation. When I released it before my test drive I heard some movement of the tire. Could I have pinched something ?
I guess when I get home I'll check for brake drag and possibly switch the front tires around as somebody mentioned doing just front to back even with non-directional tires. Geez, maybe I'll just put everything back the way it was.
If it is an alignment issue, would it be covered under warranty ? |
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| DaleB |
My alignment was out a good amount around the same mileage as the Worm's. While it did seem to track noticably better after the alignment, I never really noticed exaggerated pull of any kind previously.
My money would be on a dragging brake. I doubt you screwed anything up.
Having them cover an alignment is unlikely unless a mechanical defect could be found to be the cause (2nd possibility). |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
My alignment was out a good amount around the same mileage as the Worm's. While it did seem to track noticably better after the alignment, I never really noticed exaggerated pull of any kind previously.
I should probably clarify my earlier statement as "pull" isn't the way I should've described it. It was a more of a moderate drift. Significant enough to require constant steering input to correct, even when the crown of the road would normally send the car in the other direction. I could change lanes hands-off in about 5 secondsat 35mph (a common "out of alignment" guideline for warranty work -- as an "adjustment" very early on like in the first couple of months, barring curb hopping -- is a 7 or 8 second lane change at highway speed, IIRC). |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
I should probably clarify my earlier statement as "pull" isn't the way I should've described it. It was a more of a moderate drift. Significant enough to require constant steering input to correct, even when the crown of the road would normally send the car in the other direction. I could change lanes hands-off in about 5 secondsat 35mph (a common "out of alignment" guideline for warranty work -- as an "adjustment" very early on like in the first couple of months, barring curb hopping -- is a 7 or 8 second lane change at highway speed, IIRC).
"Wandering" seems more common than an actual pull from my recollection. I had my wheels rebalanced at the same time, and the combination made a remarkable difference. |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
"Wandering" seems more common than an actual pull from my recollection. I had my wheels rebalanced at the same time, and the combination made a remarkable difference.
Same here; Wheelworks on your recommendation. Align/rotate/balance for <$100. It was rock solid flying down I-5 on our LA trip. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Same here; Wheelworks on your recommendation. Align/rotate/balance for <$100. It was rock solid flying down I-5 on our LA trip.
Used them during my last visit in the Bay Area; their prices have gone up. But the work is excellent. After using them for so many years, I went back only once for a complaint. A wheel weight fell off. |
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| tzeus |
| I just had a similar problem with my maxima. I got a Wheel Alignment this past weekend, and when I got into the car when I kept the steering wheel straight the went towards the left. Went right back to the place I had it done, and it turned out that when they did the wheel alignment they forgot to have the Steering Wheel centered during the process, thus throwing off the alignment of the steering wheel. Not sure if this helps....I know you mentioned tire rotation, which maybe some how they throw off your alignment, etc.... |
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| nightguy |
I switched my front tires so now I just have a front/back rotation. I checked the front for drag and all I felt was drivetrain. But now I feel like I'm pulling to the right although it's a lot more comfortable since I tend to drive with my left hand. I'm not sure how much is pull and how much is the natural tendency of all cars to drift right for asleep at the wheel drivers.
I also checked the rear wheels for drag. I think I hear the rub of the pads and it seemed like more drag than there should be. Each wheel had one spot that dragged more. Dunno if the rotors are warped already or what.
I guess maybe the best and fastest thing to do is just to go to the dealer and have them check everything out. So barring any revelations here, the questions are how much should I expect to pay to check this out ? If there is an issue with the brakes that's causing this, should I have to pay anything ? Maybe I should put everything back where it was. I've only got 7800 miles.
Thanks for all the help ! Dunno what I'd do without this board or where I'd waste my time ! :) |
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