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Car pull right under acceleration

MrFord

CEG'er
Joined
Aug 11, 2003
Messages
118
Location
Lyndhurst, NJ
Since I got my new 00 SVT, there seems to be something loose in the front end, and I can't pinpoint what it could be.

The car alignment is just fine during normal cruise or with the clutch in. But as soon as I accelerate a bit, the front end jump up and it pulls badly to the right. There's a clunking sound at the same time.
As soon as I release the gas pedal, it returns to normal and goes straight.
It pulls enough to make the car change lane if I let it go.

The suspension seems otherwise just fine, no bottoming, no excessive noise when I hit potholes, no noise from the coil springs or it seems so.
It doesn't feel and sound like a loose tie rod end, and there's no bearing sound either.
The previous owner did have the car aligned just before the sale too.

Any idea of what it could be? I'll probably end up bringing it to the mechanic, but to give me an idea of what to look for. Or if someone has free time and is willing to help me ;).
 
Check the passenger side suspension parts. Doesn't sound like a tierod, but maybe a blown bushing or something.
 
LCA bushing comes to mind... Especially if the car has a lot of miles...

Currently, 80 600 miles. The good thing is that since I couldn't register the car yet, I did not put miles on it since last month.

Is that the 300$ part ? I seem to remember about replacing it in my 99...
 
Other things to check are the outer and inner tie rod ends as well as the rack mount bushings. Don't usually go bad but it's good to check them. Also the ball joints. While it seems ok while crusing any of these items could be bad and cause the car to pull. But I would tend to agree that one or more of the LCA bushings is shot! Due to the car being FWD the bad bushing will be most noticeable when accelerating. How is is under braking?
 
On a more somber note, I would suggest that you might be experiencing the last days of your differential.

I hope I'm wrong.
 
Just fixed clunking in my front suspension by swapping out the sway bar end links. I still have a pull to the left when braking but after checking the bushings I know that it's my driver's side LCA. The rear bushing on it is shot.

I'd say try replacing your end links and check the bushing while you're in there, if you're mechanically inclined that is.
 
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