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62 Tbird pulls to left

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    62 Tbird pulls to left

    My 62 Tbird pulls severely to the left. I have been to two different alignment shops but the problem still persists. They both said they could find nothing wrong. Anyone have any ideas?

    Thanks,

    Gary
  • jopizz
    Super-Experienced


    • Nov 23 2009
    • 8308

    #2
    Does it only pull with the brakes on or does it pull if you take your hands off the wheel. It's not unusual for drum brakes to pull one way or the other if they aren't adjusted correctly or there's a problem with the wheel cylinders or there's air in the system.

    John
    John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

    Thunderbird Registry #36223
    jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

    https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

    Comment

    • Guest

      #3
      62 Tbird pulls to left

      It pulls when I let go of the steering wheel. I don't believe the brakes have anything to do with it.

      Comment

      • simplyconnected
        Administrator
        • May 26 2009
        • 8778

        #4
        Alright, I've lived long enough to never take the obvious for granted. Your question is so 'loaded' I can hardly know where to start, so now it becomes a guessing game:

        Was this car ever in a collision?
        Has anyone added components to your front springs to alter the height or are the springs shortened?
        Do you have the same tires all around?
        Do you have drum brakes?
        Is this car 'dog tracking'?
        Is the driver extremely heavy?
        To elaborate on John's suggestion, what happens when you apply the brakes?
        When you rotate the left tires by hand, can you feel a drag?

        I could go on and on but I won't. We need a whole lot more information that requires much more than three sentences. When your car left the factory it ran straight and true. What has happened since then? - Dave
        Member, Sons of the American Revolution

        CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

        "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
        --Lee Iacocca

        From: Royal Oak, Michigan

        Comment

        • jopizz
          Super-Experienced


          • Nov 23 2009
          • 8308

          #5
          Elaborating on what Dave said have any of the suspension parts been replaced; e.g., ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings. Any good alignment shop won't even attempt to do an alignment on a 50+ year old car if there's play in any of the suspension parts.

          John
          John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

          Thunderbird Registry #36223
          jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

          https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

          Comment

          • Alan H. Tast, AIA
            Experienced
            • Jan 5 2008
            • 216

            #6
            Originally posted by Fordforever
            My 62 Tbird pulls severely to the left. I have been to two different alignment shops but the problem still persists. They both said they could find nothing wrong. Anyone have any ideas?

            Thanks,

            Gary
            Classic symptom of bad steering gearbox that was also the subject of recalls when new. One of the seals in the piston may have a nick or the bore may have a score in it, allowing for fluid to surge and push the piston to one side. You may have to get it rebuilt.
            Alan H. Tast AIA, LEED AP BD+C
            Technical Director/Past President, Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
            Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"

            Comment

            • simplyconnected
              Administrator
              • May 26 2009
              • 8778

              #7
              An easy way to check PS is to leave it off. If the car doesn't pull, then Alan is right.
              Member, Sons of the American Revolution

              CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

              "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
              --Lee Iacocca

              From: Royal Oak, Michigan

              Comment

              • Guest

                #8
                62 Tbird pulls to left

                All interesting comments and ideas. (mostly) I think I will try unhooking the PS and see what happens.

                Comment

                • Yadkin
                  Banned
                  • Aug 11 2012
                  • 1905

                  #9
                  Take the belt off and test drive it.

                  Comment

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