Possible suspension problem?

alanmc

Hi guys,

This a long-ish story ... so bear with me.

Just over a year ago, I moved back from Spain with my LHD Hyundai Coupe V6 (2002). I noticed that on these roads here in Ireland, the car pulls noticably to the left. So much so infact, that I have to steer about an inch of wheel to the right to compensate for the pull (sometimes more). The car has low profile tyres, so I'm used to some tram-lining and I know the roads here can have a rather large gradient. But I think it's more than that. Even on seemingly flat roads, she tends towards the left.

I've had new tyres put on it (needed them anyway), balanced and 4-wheel aligned. Actually, I've had the alignment done about 6 times in several different establishments (including Dave McCann Tyres who are supposed to have a decent rep).

So, now I'm thinking that the camber of the car is setup for continental roads. Having done some research, I have established that the camber *cannot* be adjusted on the stock suspension.

So, my questions are:

1. Could it be anything else that I'm missing that is causing the pull to the left?
2. Is there such a thing as a suspension specialist here in Ireland that I can drop my car into for a good going over?

I'd be willing to get a new suspension set if I thought it was going to solve the problem.

El Guapo!

The first thing id say is the most obvious..tyre pressures. Although im sure they were set correctly when the alignment was done. Secondly you are correct the gradient of irish roads are fairly harsh but not to the extent you are talking about. Thirdly id recommend getting in touch with the main dealer and telling them what size tyres you have fitted and asking what changes should be made to the alignment specifications according to the tyre size as altering the profile of the tyres can wreak havoc with the alignment on some cars. And if the places yoy got your alignment done are tracking the car to the original specifications designed along with the original size tyres, then the alignment wont be correct.

crosstownk

alanmc wrote: »

So, now I'm thinking that the camber of the car is setup for continental roads. Having done some research, I have established that the camber *cannot* be adjusted on the stock suspension.

Your car should behave just as well in left hand traffic as it does in right hand traffic.

I'd be inclined to think that some suspension component is damaged/worn.

alanmc

Thanks Dean.

When I said they were low profile tyres, they're the stock size the car was originally sold with (215 45 R17). The 1.6 and 2.0L cars are both fitted with R16s, but mine is the 2.7 which comes by default with the R17 set. I'm not even sure how rare the Coupe V6 is in Ireland? Would they be trying to set the alignment using the R16 tolerances?????

Tyre pressures are checked every weekend as well. I'm a little OCD about tyre pressures (especially on my bike).

I have taken it up with the dealers. They kind of fob me off telling me that it's the camber of the roads, blah blah. I've asked them to check the suspension and track rod ends ... make sure nothing is bent. They took the car in, told me everything was ok and proceeded to empty my credit card.

I have measured from the ground to the top of the wheel arch on both sides and they are the same, so it's not riding low on one side.

I'm stumped!

Al.

El Guapo!

alanmc wrote: »

Thanks Dean.

When I said they were low profile tyres, they're the stock size the car was originally sold with (215 45 R17). The 1.6 and 2.0L cars are both fitted with R16s, but mine is the 2.7 which comes by default with the R17 set. I'm not even sure how rare the Coupe V6 is in Ireland? Would they be trying to set the alignment using the R16 tolerances?????

Tyre pressures are checked every weekend as well. I'm a little OCD about tyre pressures (especially on my bike).

I have taken it up with the dealers. They kind of fob me off telling me that it's the camber of the roads, blah blah. I've asked them to check the suspension and track rod ends ... make sure nothing is bent. They took the car in, told me everything was ok and proceeded to empty my credit card.

I have measured from the ground to the top of the wheel arch on both sides and they are the same, so it's not riding low on one side.

I'm stumped!

Al.

As far as I know the V6 is rare enough in Ireland, so its very possible that the alignment settings are actually for the standard coupe. Although its also possible that the specifications are roughly the same on both models. I think your best bet would be to first off make absolutely sure that there is no play in any bushes, track rods, wishbones, or even in the steering rack itself etc. Then try get a list of the exact original alignment specifications for all the different models and compare them to see if there is any discrepencies. If there are different specifications for your car compared to the other standard models then maybe you could bring these figures to a decent place and ask them to track it to those specifications and see if that makes any difference

thethedev

I'm assuming you brought it over on the Ferry?
Was it a rough crossing?
The cars are usually chained down by the wheels so if it was a rough crossing some lad might have been tempted to tighten em' up a bit much and pulled your wheel out of alignment.
If you have alloys the might have gone around some suspension component out of fear of damaging the wheels also.

alanmc

thethedev wrote: »

I'm assuming you brought it over on the Ferry?
Was it a rough crossing?
The cars are usually chained down by the wheels so if it was a rough crossing some lad might have been tempted to tighten em' up a bit much and pulled your wheel out of alignment.
If you have alloys the might have gone around some suspension component out of fear of damaging the wheels also.

Nice theory, but I moved back over a year ago and I've had alignments done here in Ireland. And the dealers tell me that the suspension is all in one piece (not bent). But I question how much they actually looked into it. I don't think they're as interested in minor alignment issues. More interested in charging HUGE prices for fitting timing belts and clutches!

Get this, 1 clutch and 1 V6 timing belt (plus tensioners) 1 thousand and 3 hundred Yoyos ... that's €1,300!!!!!

I was surprised at Dave McCanns though. I brought my car in to him about 6 months back and told him the same story (I even booked an appointment). Before he even looked at the car, he was going on about camber of the road, etc etc. He did eventually get the car up on the ramp and did an alignment. No improvement.

Hmmmmmm.............

talkFIAT.net

If wheel alignment is ok then I would suggest it is a suspension component. It is most likely to be a wishbone or droplink. When travelling over bumps or uneven surfaces are there any noticeable noises? Does the car sit properly?

Don't go to a dealer for parts, first try a local motorfactors they will be slightly cheaper, however cheapest is online. I use buypartsby.co.uk usually, even try eBay (both .ie and .co.uk). Then you need to get your hands dirty!!

Clutch is a pretty expensive part to replace. It can be a DIY job but not for a noob! Gearbox must come out and that's why it takes so many labour hours, could be 5-7 hours labour in a fully kitted garage. A clutch kit itself is relatively cheap (using a site like buypartsby you can get them well under €100). Timing belt kit is also cheap about €60 from your local motorfactors but depending on vehicle special timing tools are required. This can also be a DIY jobbie! A car not timed properly will be noticeably running poor! If you are not mechanically minded best thing to do is source parts and get your dealer to fit them, parts will be a fraction of the price they will quote you. You could also go for a local mechanic which would be cheaper again and you may build up a relationship which may be useful in the future!!