Professional Tool And Equipment News - May 2020 - 32

Determine the
cause of the "pull"
Solve customers' alignment issues by performing the
right checks, with the right tools.
By Barry Hoyland, Contributing Editor

TOOLS USED:
*	Scan tool
*	Vehicle information
*	Alignment machine
*	Tire pressure gauge
*	Tire balancer
*	Tie rod separator
*	Thermal imager

Y

ou've probably heard it before
- a customer comes into the
shop complaining about a
pull or drift to one side. The
method to determine the cause of this
problem begins like most other repair
scenarios: ask the customer what the
symptoms are, when it happens, and
where the problem occurs. Alignment,
steering, and suspension issues are
common among drivers. With the right
procedures, training, and tools in place,
these repairs can yield a solid return
on investment ... as well as satisfied
return customers.
With the "pull" scenario above, first
ask questions like: "What is the direction of the pull?" "Is the pull consistent
or intermittent?" "Does the pull occur
on any road or at any speed?" "Is the
steering wheel straight?"
The answers to each of these questions will not only give you enough
information to duplicate the issue, they
may even help to diagnosis the problem.
For example, if the customer states the
vehicle pulls left, does that mean the
vehicle is actually pulling to the left or
is the steering wheel just off-set to the
left and not centered? If the wheel is just
off-set to the left and the vehicle is not
pulling in that direction, the issue could
be corrected by a simple toe adjustment
to re-center the steering wheel.
If the vehicle is pulling and the driver
is physically steering to the left to stay
in the lane, potential causes could be a
mechanical steering or suspension issue,
a problem with the brakes or ABS, or

32

PTEN

MAY 2020

p 2016 Ford Fusion alignment specifications have a much wider range of
tolerances than older models.

p 2011 Ford Fusion alignment specifications. Note the difference between 2011 and 2016
vehicles, as these have a wider tolerance.

even a calibration issue within the
ADAS system. At this time, it is usually prudent to check for any technical
service bulletins related to brake, steering, or suspension components. We will
discuss some of these potential causes,
as well as some of the tools you would
use to diagnose and repair the vehicle.

ISSUE 1: VEHICLE STEERS LEFT
OR RIGHT WHEN THE WHEEL
IS STRAIGHT

In cases like these, a test drive to confirm the issue is required. During the
test drive, be sure to note if any warning

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lights for the ABS, traction control, or
stability control systems are illuminated.
If so, scan those systems to determine if
there is a fault that could be causing the
pulling issue.
After a test drive, it is necessary to
thoroughly inspect the steering and
suspension components. Do not overlook basic inspection items like tire
pressures. Inspect the tires themselves
to see if they show signs of a separated
cord. Even though it only happens occasionally, don't forget to double-check to
see if the tires are all the same size and
similar tread patterns.
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Professional Tool And Equipment News - May 2020

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