sikandar

My newly purchased 86 944 turbo (120000 mi.) tends to drift to the left on the hiway.

On a gradual stop the brakes pull randomly left or right at the last few feet.

Replaced the front rotors, pads and wheel bearings. Then had the brakes bled as well as wheel balancing and alignment at a reputable shop.

All to no avail.

The brake fluid was VERY dirty, black crud coated the reservior, which I replaced.

There is no obvious binding of the brakes when the car is on jackstands.

Should I replace the (gulp $1000) calipers?

Any other suggestions, tests? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Peckster

Mine started to drift a bit when the control arms were on the way out, but it was random. Did you check them?

I think they all tend to pull to one side or the other at lower speeds when you're on a rutted or uneven surface. It's the wider low profile tires that cause it.

Did the shop you took it to know these cars?

sikandar

[quote]Originally posted by Peckster:
<strong>Mine started to drift a bit when the control arms were on the way out, but it was random. Did you check them?

I checked the control arms first and could find no discernable play in the ball joint or bushings.
The pull to the left is pretty constant at hiway speed.

I think they all tend to pull to one side or the other at lower speeds when you're on a rutted or uneven surface. It's the wider low profile tires that cause it.

Hmmm... Maybe I just have to live with it, its not a confidence inspireing feature. My Ford van and my Suzuki Samurai both have big fat tires and stop dead straight.

Did the shop you took it to know these cars?</strong><hr></blockquote>

The mechanic who did the work races 944's. But I just requested the balance and alignment, not a diagnosis.

Rich Sandor

I have had the exacty same problems, same year, model, and mileage.

My rotors ARE due to be replaced because they are undersized, but it is the BALL JOINTS in your control arms that are causing the steering pulls to one side.

Unfortunetly, for our model years, we have to replace the WHOLE control arm.

Eric

Sikandar,
I agree with the others--bad ball joints in your control arms. Order some rebuilts from Blaszak, and spend an afternoon swapping them out--huge improvement. As for the brakes and pulling--my car does the same thing, if I am not holding onto the wheel at low speeds it will want to jerk one way or the next(even after repalcing just about everything). I just live with it.

mumzer

[quote]Originally posted by Rich Sandor:
<strong>I have had the exacty same problems, same year, model, and mileage.

My rotors ARE due to be replaced because they are undersized, but it is the BALL JOINTS in your control arms that are causing the steering pulls to one side.

Unfortunetly, for our model years, we have to replace the WHOLE control arm.</strong><hr></blockquote>

guys..there are about 9 other things that could casue a pull also...

an underinflated tire, screwed up corner weights, too much caster on the right front, incorrect camber, too much ride height on the left rear, and the list goes on and on...certainly check the arm for wear, but this is NOT the only potential cause of this problem.

Ken

I think the pulling may also have something to do with the caster settings. I recently had my '44 re-aligned and they put less caster than before(2.5 i believe, out of a max of 3.2). After the alignment to car steers much quicker but also tends to follow the road's abnormalities more. I replaced almost everything in the front end(A-arms, ball joints, bushings, tie-rods, shocks) before my alignment, so my pulling isn't related to parts(I hope).

sikandar

Thanks for the advice folks.

The control arms and bushings are fine.

The Porsche guy who aligned it swears he adjusted everything correctly.

I'm gonna try rotating the tires, which will put the 225/55's on the rear and the 235/50's on the front.

I'll report back.