Car pulling to the left. Causes?

[Schwamm]

My protege has a slight pull to the left that I've been trying to figure out for a while now. I thought it was torque steer until i drove a friend's Mazda 3 and realized just how bad mine is.

I think there's more to this than just an alignment issue, so here's what I know:
- It's more noticeable on the highway. If I let go of the wheel, the car slowly drifts to the left. It's not so bad that I'm fighting the wheel to keep it straight though.
-The steering wheel is also turned slightly left when the wheels are pointed straight (holding the wheel level causes me to turn a little to the right).
-I have recently replaced CV axles, sway bar tie rod ends, and wheel bearings then gotten an alignment, and it didn't really have an impact (still pulls slightly)

When I got the alignment done, I was told my rack and pinion is worn. However, I do not trust the shop that did the alignment and only went there because it was free. They've lied to me about other "problems" before, and then quoted me ridiculous amounts for the work, so I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

Anyone had trouble with their rack and pinion before? Any way to find out if that's actually the problem? Any other ideas?

 

[VIPMSP]

My protege has a slight pull to the left that I've been trying to figure out for a while now. I thought it was torque steer until i drove a friend's Mazda 3 and realized just how bad mine is.

I think there's more to this than just an alignment issue, so here's what I know:
- It's more noticeable on the highway. If I let go of the wheel, the car slowly drifts to the left. It's not so bad that I'm fighting the wheel to keep it straight though.
-The steering wheel is also turned slightly left when the wheels are pointed straight (holding the wheel level causes me to turn a little to the right).
-I have recently replaced CV axles, sway bar tie rod ends, and wheel bearings then gotten an alignment, and it didn't really have an impact (still pulls slightly)

When I got the alignment done, I was told my rack and pinion is worn. However, I do not trust the shop that did the alignment and only went there because it was free. They've lied to me about other "problems" before, and then quoted me ridiculous amounts for the work, so I take everything they say with a grain of salt.

Anyone had trouble with their rack and pinion before? Any way to find out if that's actually the problem? Any other ideas?

if it wasn't you, somebody took the steering wheel off previously and didn't align it properly when putting it back on.

if you take it off (and have the wheels set perfectly straight, there is an arrow behind the wheel that points to align it at the top center, it's likely just a little off to the left.

(i've changed steering wheels on my MSP(s) 4-5 times, and the first time didn't put it back on perfectly, and it did just what you are explaining)

 

[91Protege]

If the alignment was free it prob wasnt done right. or even done. I didnt know they had steering wheels that could be moved in different spots. Most are keyed. My 88 Bronco is keyed lol.

 

[Kraken]

Check your calipers , I've had that problem before and the problem was my left front caliper was sticking . I got this fixed by rebulding my caliper , and if it still doesn't work then you will need to replace your caliper .

 

[njaremka]

FYI: just because you had the alignment performed, and they put the car "within spec", it doesn't mean it is a good alignment. the factory specs are sooo wide in tolerance to allow for a bad alignment but to still be within spec. ask for a printout of the "After" numbers, and look for even numbers between left and right. make sure the toe is the same between sides - not just the total toe. also, make sure the camber and caster are the same between sides.

 

[Schwamm]

Thanks for all the replies! The alignment was free because I purchased a 6 month alignment earlier. They very well could have done a poor job.

I'm intrigued by the note about the caliper. My left caliper (part of it at least) has clearly been replaced in the past. It's different and smaller than the right side, and not painted. It also doesn't wear evenly on that rotor, I have rust on the inside half of a brand new caliper because it isn't making contact. I don't know that it's sticking but it's worth checking.