Alignment

SATURN
Avatar
CJANDREWS5
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
2001 Saturn L200 4 cyl.; 81,750 miles.
My car pulls to the left in varying amounts. The effect is more pronounced when I am alone in the car. Changes in the road crown direction have an obvious effect as well. I had the alignment done 3 years ago about a week after buying new tires. The car continued to pull left, but not as noticably at first.
I just had to replace the tires again after only 36,000 miles - they were almost completely bald, and the wear patterns also looked like they were affected by the car's misalignment. I had them roated every 12,000 miles. With the new tires the car still pulls left. Is this an alignment problem, or could the suspension be to blame? The difference in pull when I have a passenger to balance my weight makes me wonder.
Nov 13, 2007 at 9:09 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi there,

When an alignment is done, it is standard practice to inspect all the suspension and steering components before hand, as anything worn will affect the alignment. Wheel alignment is an exact science and should only be carried out by trained technicians with accurately calibrated equipment, sadly this is not always the case, so i would be asking the question about the operator and the equipment before having new tyres and an alignment, has the car been involved in an accident? as frame damage will also affect the results of an alignment.

Mark (mhpautos)
Nov 13, 2007 at 7:38 PM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.