Whats wrong with my car?

Question

I have a '98 Ford Escort that pulls to the right when driving at constant speed or breaking, but when I accelerate (and the weight is off the front wheels), the steering goes back to normal.

Can someone tell me what's wrong and how to fix it or how much I can expect to pay to sort this in a garage? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The tracking may be out. Its about a 10 minute job at a garage and it costs around £25. If the problem still persists then check for damage under the car such as broken coil spring or bent wishbone, even badly worn rubber bushes can cause the car to drift.

Answer 2

There are some good answers here,but the very first thing to check on an Escort giving this type of problem is the front lower suspension arms.It is very common on Escorts for the bushes to wear in them,this allows the front wheels to move forward or back slghtly under braking & acceleration which throws the geometry of the front wheels out.
With the h/brake on put your foot on top of one of the front tyres and try and push it back then try forwards,do this with both front wheels if you can detect movement the bushes are well worn.If you can't then get a garage to check them anyway because as said it is a very likely problem.
Hope this helps

Answer 3

First look at the tyres. If the tread is more worn one side than the other it's the tracking. This is also shown by scuffing one edge of the tread grooves.
If it's really bad jack the car up and see that the ball races are good - no rumbling sounds - and also that the bushes which keep the wheel where it should be are not worn out.
Now it's make your mind up time. If all seems sound and its the tracking - think why did it go wrong - go to a tyre sales garage and get them to check the track. BUT my experience is that they are all incompetent and need a close eye kept on them to tell them how to do the job PROPERLY!
RoyS

Answer 4

The answer is in the question. You are driving a Ford Escort!

There are a few things that can cause this. Firstly check the tyre pressure is correct and the same in both front tyres. It is important that the tires on opposite sides have the same air pressure. Also get the garage to check if your tyres are balanced and aligned correctly. Another possibility, is that one of your brakes is not functioning properly, and creating more drag on one side than the other.

Answer 5

OK, there are several possibilities. Your front end alignment could be out of whack or your tires may need attention (look for wear irregularities). If you don't see anything obvious with the tires, I would look into the possibility that a brake (right front) might be dragging or grabbing. I think Escorts have disc on the front, so you may have a brake cylinder sticking. You can jack the front end up (both wheels), put the car in neutral, and then spin the right front wheel - you should be able to pick up on any dragging.

Answer 6

sounds like you have a problem with brakes or abs. Ford escorts are one of cheapest for parts, you'd need to take it into you local garage for a go over, they'll give you a run down of whats going on and an estimate then just tell them that you cant have the work done yet and go looking for a better price. Most garages wont charge for this.

Answer 7

I would have the front end alignment checked first since it seems to pull at constant speed and braking. Under acceleration front wheel drive cars tend to "torque steer" which could be pulling the front end the other way. That may be why it seems to disappear as you accelerate.

Answer 8

Sounds like your tracking is out. It's a really common thing to happen.

Any garage should fix in in ten minutes for less than 20 quid. Its a painless job and they don't even open the bonnet. Kwik Fit do it no problem.

When you book the car in ask for 'the tracking to be done'. If they say 'Do you want the wheels balanced as well?' Your answer should be 'No need, I haven't had new tyres on recently'.

Good luck!

Answer 9

sounds like your pads are either worn unevenly(one lower than the other) or one of your calipers that close onto the discs is partially seized, check pads, calipers tend to seize when the pads are low, hence they have to push the pad further and because the pads take a while towear down only a partial amount of the caliper is used to moving hence why they seize the lower the pads are.

fix: check pads, remove calipers and put all moving parts together with copper slip(anti seize compound) or tracking as it happens without brake applied

Answer 10

steering out of alignment
sticking brakes
bottem arm bushes worn
shock worn
any of thease can course the prob get to a garage then they will tell you