Still pulling to the left

[pixl]

Since I've had my car, I noticed a slight pulling to the left. I contacted my dealer and got the usual BS -- "All cars pull to the left for safety reasons." and "The camber of the road will cause the car to pull to the left."

I understand the camber of the road can have an affect, but I keep explaining to them that even on a freeway in the far right lane, if I let go of the steering wheel, within 4 seconds, I'll be in the next lane. Even just drivng down a main road, my arm actually get sore on a long drive from holding the steering straight.

Eventually got one of the best service managers to check it out. He organised a free wheel balance and alignment. He told me to drive it around to see how it was. So I took it out on the road and it was still pretty much the same. So then he told me that sometimes the radials in tyres can cause pulling, so he put the car back up on the hoist and rotated the tyres. I took it for another drive and it seemed a little better. He assured me it will take a few thousand Ks before it would go completely. Well, what the hell do I know about tyres, so I took his word for it.

That was two weeks ago. Since then it's gotten progressively worse. It as bad (if not worse) than when it was when I first noticed the issue.

What are the next logical suspects? Bushes? Suspension? -- I really have no idea. I'm trying to arm myself with some info so when I contact the dealer again, it'll be harder for them to pull the wool over my eyes.

[phaeton]

So you've had a wheel alignment, wheel balance and tyre rotation.

Did you get a print out of wheel alignment ?

[firdausasri]

I'm having the same problem as you, it pulls slightly to left. In my old car, I used to use PU steering bush to solve it, not sure it works with the Polo.

[leasaunce]

check all 4 tyres, pressure,wear,rotation,fitting,etc...

[PeterHBne]

What tyres have you got?

I found the original Conts pulled to the left no matter what was done in terms of alignment and rotations.

I put Dunlop Sportmax on the front and the pulling decreased 90%.

[shhplit]

mine pulls to the left as well...seems like same problem as you and only cpl months old

[JIMTRON]

What tyres have you got?

I found the original Conts pulled to the left no matter what was done in terms of alignment and rotations.

I put Dunlop Sportmax on the front and the pulling decreased 90%.

I found exactly the same thing with the conti's, it got progressively worse. When I got new marangonis I asked for an alignment and he didn't need to adjust anything at all. Definately the tyres that did it

[Piotr]

I have the same problem and got the same response as you from the dealer. it started to feel better until i rotated the tyres and it seems to have returned.

[pixl]

Thanks for the helpful replies. So it appears the Contis are to blame.

I've been doing some research and found out that new car tyres are more susceptible to "radial pull" which apparently is a pretty common defect.

I'm going to see the dealer tomorrow and see if I can get new tyres done under warrenty. I realise this might be difficult, but I might be lucky as it this is actually a defect, not something caused by wear.

If not, I'll have to bite the bullet and get new shoes. Some might think I'm exaggerating, but after about 45mins on the road, my arm gets sore from fighting the steering wheel.

[JIMTRON]

Good luck mate, hope they look after you. When I replaced mine I had about 10-15,000km left in them but I couldn't deal with it any longer

[NickZ]

Thanks for the helpful replies. So it appears the Contis are to blame.

I've been doing some research and found out that new car tyres are more susceptible to "radial pull" which apparently is a pretty common defect.

I'm going to see the dealer tomorrow and see if I can get new tyres done under warrenty. I realise this might be difficult, but I might be lucky as it this is actually a defect, not something caused by wear.

If not, I'll have to bite the bullet and get new shoes. Some might think I'm exaggerating, but after about 45mins on the road, my arm gets sore from fighting the steering wheel.

If it is a warranty claim, just remember that you will only get back the remaining life (i.e., you use half of the tread you pay for half the tyre)

[Jmac]

Ok mate seen this heaps of times- swap your left with your right and im sure you will find a noticable improvement. Even after a wheel alignment with great figures the tyres have a wear pattern. Swap them over.
CHeers
Jmac

[Y2008]

I've had the same problem to from day one (Pixl: remember I told u I wanted to go get it checked out a while back) The car veers to the left badly. I think this is messed up as it really gets painful after a driving for a while especially on the freeway.

[PeterHBne]

As Jimmy says, swap left to right – this lessened the pulling for me by about 50% so it became bearable.

[mr_walker]

I thought that steel belted radials couldn't be rotated the other way once they were worn in?