Pulling to the right under acceleration

Jono8 · 2 Oct 2012 at 08:58

My new car (well, new to me) seems to pull to the right under acceleration but it is only noticable on the motorway/speeeds over 60mph. It is like it sort of "raises up" and drifts to the right, then when you take your foot of the accelerator you can then feel it drift left again/go back to central position. It is not torque steer or anything like that as the steering wheel doesnt move.

I have not had it long and it did NOT do this on the test drive. The dealer did fit two brand new front tyres to it though and i am now starting to wonder if the front right tyre is defective.

The front right tyre seems to have an incredibly slow puncture ( loses say 2-4 PSI a week) and even when pumped up to the right PSI it still looks slightly "flatter" than the left one. the pulling isnt due to mis matched PSI either as it still does it when the pressures are correct.

Everything i have read seems to point to it being radial pull/conicity i.e. defective tyre.

Is that what it sounds like to you guys as well? If so, how can i prove the tyre is defective and get a replacement?

Locky · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:00

What car is it?

and my guess is the wishbone rubbers have gone.

Jono8 · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:01

Locky said:
What car is it?

and my guess is the wishbone rubbers have gone.

Octavia VRS MkII

I have also read it could be wishbones but the fact that the front right tyre is exhibitting other problems ( looks flatter than the left even at right PSI and is very very slower leaking air). Also, i took the car on the motorway when test driving ( before the new tyres were fitted) and it did not do it.

Locky · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:07

Jono8 said:
Octavia VRS MkII

I have also read it could be wishbones but the fact that the front right tyre is exhibitting other problems ( looks flatter than the left even at right PSI and is very very slower leaking air). Also, i took the car on the motorway when test driving ( before the new tyres were fitted) and it did not do it.

even with the tyre, I can't see it creating what you are getting, but change the tyre if in doubt.

Jono8 · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:28

Locky said:
even with the tyre, I can't see it creating what you are getting, but change the tyre if in doubt.

Hm, i suppose one way to tell if it is the tyre is swap the right for the left and then if it pulls to the left then it must be a dodgy tyre!

Firestar_3x · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:36

Jono8 said:
The dealer did fit two brand new front tyres to it

Now doubt they've fitted supper happy sunny winning tyres.

I'd go and check, if the tyres are dross i'd change them to something worthwhile owning.

Jono8 · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:39

Firestar_3x said:
Now doubt they've fitted supper happy sunny winning tyres.

I'd go and check, if the tyres are dross i'd change them to something worthwhile owning.

No i made sure good tyres were fitted, Michelin PS3.

Firestar_3x · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:41

Shocked!

Odds are the air leak is due to a bad seal around the rim, easy enough to sort for £10 at your local tyre garage (provided it's not the alloy at fault).

Once you've done the above, make sure they tyre pressures are the same and test again, otherwise it sounds like worn suspension components.

Tesla · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:42

The slow puncture needs resolving whatever the outcome so I'd start with that.

Jono8 · 2 Oct 2012 at 09:47

Firestar_3x said:
Shocked!

Odds are the air leak is due to a bad seal around the rim, easy enough to sort for £10 at your local tyre garage (provided it's not the alloy at fault).

Once you've done the above, make sure they tyre pressures are the same and test again, otherwise it sounds like worn suspension components.

I had to pay the difference between a decent tyre and whatever dross they would have fitted though!