Vehicle Leads/Pulls

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Montana, 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2002 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

DEFINITION: Lead/pull is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level road with no pressure on the steering wheel. Use the lead/pull correction table in order to verify that improper wheel alignment or worn components are not mistaken for tire lead.

Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If so, go to next step. If not, see SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
Road test the vehicle in order to verify the complaint. Select a smooth level surface to perform the test. Does the vehicle operate normally? If so, system is OK. If not, go to next step.
Inspect the tire/wheel assemblies for the following conditions:
- Correct tire pressure. Refer to TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Correct tire size.
Do any of the above conditions apply? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 5 .
Repair/replace the tire/wheel assemblies as necessary. After repairs are complete, go to step 15 .
Inspect the front/rear suspensions for the following conditions:
- Vehicle trim height. Refer to TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE .
- Excessive wear or loose components. Refer to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Excessive wheel bearing play. Refer to WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS .
Repair/replace components as necessary. Tighten components to specifications. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in FRONT SUSPENSION or FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in REAR SUSPENSION. Replace the wheel bearings. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
- WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT - FRONT in FRONT SUSPENSION
- WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT - REAR DISC AND AWD or WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT - REAR FRONT WHEEL DRIVE/DRUM
After repairs are complete, go to step 15 .
Inspect the brake system for brake drag. Refer to BRAKES DRAG . Does the above condition apply? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 9 .
Repair/replace components as necessary. After repairs are complete, go to step 15 .
Inspect the steering gear valve for an unbalance. If this is the cause, steering effort will be very light in the direction of the lead and effort will be heavy in the opposite direction with the vehicle parked on a smooth level surface. Does the above condition apply? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 11 .
Replace the steering gear. Refer to POWER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT in POWER STEERING SYSTEM . After repairs are complete, go to step 15 .
Inspect the wheel alignment. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS . Is the wheel alignment in specifications? If so, go to step 13 . If not, go to next step.
Adjust alignment to specifications. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS . After repairs are complete, go to step 15 .
Cross-switch the front tire/wheel assemblies. Road test the vehicle on a smooth level surface. Does the vehicle still lead/pull? If so, go to next step. If not, system is OK.
Does the vehicle lead/pull in the opposite direction? If so, see RADIAL TIRE LEAD/PULL CORRECTION in TIRES AND WHEELS . If not, go to next step.
Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, system is OK. If not, go back to step 3 .