steering and suspension Car Pulling Right, Steering Wheel Shake?

[ATLBMW]

Just noticed the car starting to pull to the right yesterday, and today the steering wheel was shaking a bit.

It felt like a front right tire going down, but air pressure seems okay.

I've had the car for almost a year, so it's not new to me and I don't think it is a bad frame, etc.

What would you check next?

[Wahnsinn]

How old are the tires that came on the car?  I bought a 75 2002 in April, and everything seemed to check out fine. It even passed NY State inspection with no problem.  However, it pulled to the right, and vibrated at certain speeds even after several alignments and balancings.  The tires on the car were old and it had been sitting a lot, so the tech suggested that the only thing left to try was tires.   So, we put new tires on, and what a difference, it was like a new car.  

 

So, if your tires are really old, even if they have plenty of tread, they may be your culprit.  

[ATLBMW]

Not sure how old the tires are, but that could be it. I have been thinking about replacing them anyway, since I am not sure of their age and I would feel safer with some fresh ones on board (the current ones could have some rot).

It is weird because this just starting happening yesterday, and I have already put 1500 miles on the car with no problem.

[mikebontoft]

you can swap the tires onto opposite sides then see if it pulls left.

[M3M3M3]

check play in wheel bearings.

[bcarey]

You might also check your front brakes. Could be a passenger side caliper that is sticking, and causing it to pull right. Been there, swore at that.

[dbmw2002]

New car to you, new tires are due, any rot means toast em. Dad told me Brakes, Battery and Tires, play with the rest but dont play with these three, kept me alive through all kinds of crazy sit, need I say more?

[PaulTWinterton]

Here's a scenerio that has happened to me.

I had a caliper malfunction that caused it to seize just enough to make the car pull to the right when braking. This went on for awhile. The pad was constantly rubbing the rotor and creating A LOT OF HEAT. This in turn caused the rotor to warp. After I replaced the caliper my steering would shake while braking, like a bad balance. Replaced the rotor and all was well.

The easiest way to tell if this is your problem, is to touch the roadwheels after a couple of miles of driving. If one of the wheels is excessively hot, this could be the issue.

[adawil2002]

Could be tires, wheel bearings, flexible brake lines, bad caliper or warped rotor.

[ATLBMW]

Okay, I put the front of the car on jack stands today, and spun the wheels with my hand. It definitely feels like the front right wheel has brakes holding back from spinning, and you can hear the contact. The front left wheel seems to also have the brake pad touching the rotor when I spin it but not as bad.

So it sounds like I need to adjust my front brakes. I'm going to look on the forum for a thread about that, unless anyone has a recommendation of a thread or website. Or, easy suggestions on how to fix?

Thanks for helping me diagnose the problem, it seems like the brakes are it.

[John_in_VA]

You don't "adjust" the front brakes. You could bleed the calipers, but nothing to adjust. Old rubber brake hoses collapse internally, not allowing fluid flow that can result in a caliper piston hanging up. Pistons get corroded over time from old brake fluid. Rotors can get pad material build-up from sitting while hot. Tire belt can separate as mentioned earlier. If you value the car & your life, get it checked out.

[mikebontoft]

Yup no adjustment on disc brakes, unless we're talking about rear parking brakes with drum style brakes in the rotor.

[PaulTWinterton]

Likely new calipers, rotors, brakelines, tires, balance and alignment and you're good to go.

 

$1000-$1500 well spent.

[TobyB]

The answer is above- go for a 2-3 mile drive, stop, get out and check the temperature of the front wheels and hubs.

 

If one side is warm, there's your culprit.  99% of the time, the caliper's gotten rusty- due to the (intelligent) design

of the 2002 caliper, it's easy (and safe) to clean it up and put  a new seal in it as long as the piston's still shiny.

And since they're chromed (also smart) they usually are.

 

t

[ATLBMW]

So since both wheels have the brakes touching the rotor with the car in the air, the first thing I plan to do is bleed the brakes/change the fluid.  I did this about 10 months ago so I would be surprised if that were the problem, but then again since both are doing it I am thinking it could be air in the lines?

 

If the brakes do not release when I do that, I guess my next step is replacing the brake lines and buying a caliper rebuild kit?  Should I upgrade to SS lines, or just new rubber lines?

 

I'll do tires after I get the brakes fixed.