Tire problem

[DarkMesa8]

91 LX. I rotated my tires front/back today, and since than have developed a pull to the left, and a wierd "woomp" sound at very low speeds. Here are the facts:

Prior to the rotation, I would get a vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds. This vibration is now gone.

Car now pulls to the left. Before the rotation, it would NOT pull to the left at all. Car ran straight before rotation.

All wheels are balanced. Alignment done 5 months ago.

I even used my torque wrench to make sure they were all torqued properly, 110 lbs each lug.

I couldn't spot any physical damage on any tire or wheel.

What's going on???

 

[90mustangGT]

You have a bad tire up front. Alignment will not fix a tire pull. I work at a Goodyear, tire pull is more common than alignment pull. Sounds like a tire is starting to seperate. Take it to the tire shop and get it checked out.

 

[10HoleLX]

Sounds like you have a "radial Pull" Try putting the right rear at the left front and and the left rear at the right front to keep the same direction of tire roll which is required with radial tires.
If the tires have a warranty then just have the place you bought them from deal with it.

 

[DarkMesa8]

So its definitely a problem on the front tires since it has only happened when they were moved to the front? I want to eliminate the rears so I can tell the tire shop which ones to look at.

Could I even narrow it down to the front driver's side, since that's the way its pulling? I'd rotate the tires like you say 10holeLX, but its going to go to a shop first thing tomorrow.

2004 is turning out to be a horrible year for me and tires. I had to replace all four 275/40/17's on my GT, and one blew on me three weeks ago on the highway. I bought the LX April this year (daily driver). It blew a tire a few weeks later on the highway. My friend gave me a spare set of wheels/tires, and they had flat spots on them, which cost me money to have it diagnosed that the tires were useless. Got these tires as a favor for helping out with a rear end swap, and now I'm in this situation!

 

[Rockin302]

Sometimes people need to replace one tire and if there's isn't an identical one they usually have to make due with whatever tread the garage has. So, just make sure the brand/tread pattern is the same because problems can arise from mismatched tires.

 

[DarkMesa8]

Sometimes people need to replace one tire and if there's isn't an identical one they usually have to make due with whatever tread the garage has. So, just make sure the brand/tread pattern is the same because problems can arise from mismatched tires.

One tire is mismatched... let me go out and see which one it is. BRB

 

[DarkMesa8]

The mismatch is the driver's rear, which was on the front before the pull happened.

 

[Rockin302]

Dark Mesa, that could possibly be the culprit right there. Also, check the pressure on all tires because that can also cause your car to pull one way or the other. Make sure you go with the recommended tire pressure. If you've just driven the car let them cool off a bit before filling them up. Use an accurate gauge.

 

[DarkMesa8]

Forgot to mention that the tire pressure is 100% correct on all four, 30psi all around for those dimensions, filled when cold (have an air compressor).

So you really think a rear tire can cause a pull when put on the rear, and not pull when its on the front?

 

[Rockin302]

Forgot to mention that the tire pressure is 100% correct on all four, 30psi all around for those dimensions, filled when cold (have an air compressor).

So you really think a rear tire can cause a pull when put on the rear, and not pull when its on the front?

If it's in the rear I can't really say but it's worth asking a mechanic. I know for sure if the suspect tire is in front, it can cause pulling.

 

[DarkMesa8]

Eh, mechanic it is, I'm tired (no pun intended). But thank you Rockin302, and everyone else who has replied. I at least now know what to tell the tire guy to look for.

 

[Michael Yount]

I'd check as 90GT says for a tire that has a belt separating - your tire dealer can usually confirm that. Could be either tire on the front - look for high (bulging) or low (depressions) spots in the sidewall. Also, if you have a particularly tight limited slip or are running a locker or spool, and tires of two different heights on the back that can cause a pull. Since it didn't do it before the rotation, it would seem to be tire related.