I have a 2005 Saturn ion that pulls hard to the left when I apply the brakes. The car also veers left while driving at normal speed, even after two alignments done at a local shop in town. Both times the alignment tested as bad toe in the front, so they readjusted it and it would be fine for a few days then veer to the left again. Any ides for either??
Car veers to the left when braking
- Thread starter Benson96
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check all suspension components such as LCA bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.
Alignment shall remain in-spec for a long time (unless car was involved in an accident before, and alignment was wrecked)
Also: always compare the LF and RF tire air pressure to ensure that they are the same before making judgement.
Other things I can think of: seized left caliper pins, or drag from left side front brake, etc.
also worth trying: rotate your front tires to the back and see?
Alignment shall remain in-spec for a long time (unless car was involved in an accident before, and alignment was wrecked)
Also: always compare the LF and RF tire air pressure to ensure that they are the same before making judgement.
Other things I can think of: seized left caliper pins, or drag from left side front brake, etc.
also worth trying: rotate your front tires to the back and see?
First, rotate your front tires side-to-side. Might be a "radial pull". I worked at some shops when I was younger doing tires, and I couldn't tell you how many times that fixed drifting issues. Even on my own cars, saves me a trip back to the tire shop by doing it at home.
Originally Posted By: Warstud
If it veers to the left when braking it means your right side brakes aren't working equally with the left. Most likely the caliper.
+1 Inspect the braking system. Look for uneven pad wear, as it is a good indicator of a bad caliper or stuck slide pins.
If it veers to the left when braking it means your right side brakes aren't working equally with the left. Most likely the caliper.
+1 Inspect the braking system. Look for uneven pad wear, as it is a good indicator of a bad caliper or stuck slide pins.
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I'd vote brakes too. One side is hung up. Check pads, caliper slides, piston, and line (especially the flexible part).
10 year old Saturn from MinneSOOOta that pulls when braking? Caliper is rusted junk - put two new remans on the front. Next question...
Where's happy hour and what to drink?
Originally Posted By: ryanschillinger
First, rotate your front tires side-to-side. Might be a "radial pull". I worked at some shops when I was younger doing tires, and I couldn't tell you how many times that fixed drifting issues. Even on my own cars, saves me a trip back to the tire shop by doing it at home.
This is definitely a good call. I still would check the brakes too, but I have suffered from radial pull as well which the dealer didn't even diagnose. I eventually figured it out myself. An annoying problem.
First, rotate your front tires side-to-side. Might be a "radial pull". I worked at some shops when I was younger doing tires, and I couldn't tell you how many times that fixed drifting issues. Even on my own cars, saves me a trip back to the tire shop by doing it at home.
This is definitely a good call. I still would check the brakes too, but I have suffered from radial pull as well which the dealer didn't even diagnose. I eventually figured it out myself. An annoying problem.
Check the brakes as mentioned. Usually if it veers to one side without the brakes applied, the problem in on that side. If if veers with the brakes applied the problem is the braking system on the other side. Its possible you have a master cyl problem, i think saturns have a right front left rear circuit and a left front right rear circuit. If the left caliper is dragging and the master cyl is only working on one side that might explain both the left veering.
Friends truck had collapsed hose on right caliper. First couple stops of day in neighborhood were no issue. 5 minutes of highway driving and it would wrench the wheel out of your hand hard left. Hose would not let fluid back so right side would get brake fade.
I had a frozen caliper slide resulted in almost same thing. quick inspection all looked normal with plenty of pad. Upon removing the bottom corner of pad was at metal while rest of pad looked good.
Remove both calipers and inspect/replace whatever is needed.
I had a frozen caliper slide resulted in almost same thing. quick inspection all looked normal with plenty of pad. Upon removing the bottom corner of pad was at metal while rest of pad looked good.
Remove both calipers and inspect/replace whatever is needed.
Originally Posted By: Benson96
I have a 2005 Saturn ion that pulls hard to the left when I apply the brakes. The car also veers left while driving at normal speed, even after two alignments done at a local shop in town. Both times the alignment tested as bad toe in the front, so they readjusted it and it would be fine for a few days then veer to the left again. Any ides for either??
Almost everyone is saying brakes, and I disagree with this based on the FULL set of information given. If it were brakes, then your alignment would "stick." On the other hand, a worn out ball joint, control arm bushing, or wheel bearing can ALL cause the behavior you have described as well as cause the alignment to appear "different" each time it is pulled onto the alignment machine. Furthermore, the description of the car "veering" left without any brake application also points to a worn out suspension component.
There is no way for seized caliper slides to cause the car to suffer from the inability to "hold" an alignment.
I have a 2005 Saturn ion that pulls hard to the left when I apply the brakes. The car also veers left while driving at normal speed, even after two alignments done at a local shop in town. Both times the alignment tested as bad toe in the front, so they readjusted it and it would be fine for a few days then veer to the left again. Any ides for either??
Almost everyone is saying brakes, and I disagree with this based on the FULL set of information given. If it were brakes, then your alignment would "stick." On the other hand, a worn out ball joint, control arm bushing, or wheel bearing can ALL cause the behavior you have described as well as cause the alignment to appear "different" each time it is pulled onto the alignment machine. Furthermore, the description of the car "veering" left without any brake application also points to a worn out suspension component.
There is no way for seized caliper slides to cause the car to suffer from the inability to "hold" an alignment.
Originally Posted By: mdocod
Originally Posted By: Benson96
I have a 2005 Saturn ion that pulls hard to the left when I apply the brakes. The car also veers left while driving at normal speed, even after two alignments done at a local shop in town. Both times the alignment tested as bad toe in the front, so they readjusted it and it would be fine for a few days then veer to the left again. Any ides for either??
Almost everyone is saying brakes, and I disagree with this based on the FULL set of information given. If it were brakes, then your alignment would "stick." On the other hand, a worn out ball joint, control arm bushing, or wheel bearing can ALL cause the behavior you have described as well as cause the alignment to appear "different" each time it is pulled onto the alignment machine. Furthermore, the description of the car "veering" left without any brake application also points to a worn out suspension component.
There is no way for seized caliper slides to cause the car to suffer from the inability to "hold" an alignment.
Yup I like this too. After doing rear LCA bushings on its cousin the HHR (and hearing that 'they all do that') I'd look there.
A $7 infared thermometer from harbor freight will give you amazingly accurate readings of your brake balance, which, if close between front rotor temps, will indicate a steering/ suspension fault.
Originally Posted By: Benson96
I have a 2005 Saturn ion that pulls hard to the left when I apply the brakes. The car also veers left while driving at normal speed, even after two alignments done at a local shop in town. Both times the alignment tested as bad toe in the front, so they readjusted it and it would be fine for a few days then veer to the left again. Any ides for either??
Almost everyone is saying brakes, and I disagree with this based on the FULL set of information given. If it were brakes, then your alignment would "stick." On the other hand, a worn out ball joint, control arm bushing, or wheel bearing can ALL cause the behavior you have described as well as cause the alignment to appear "different" each time it is pulled onto the alignment machine. Furthermore, the description of the car "veering" left without any brake application also points to a worn out suspension component.
There is no way for seized caliper slides to cause the car to suffer from the inability to "hold" an alignment.
Yup I like this too. After doing rear LCA bushings on its cousin the HHR (and hearing that 'they all do that') I'd look there.
A $7 infared thermometer from harbor freight will give you amazingly accurate readings of your brake balance, which, if close between front rotor temps, will indicate a steering/ suspension fault.
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