Vehicle Leads/Pulls

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2003 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

DEFINITION: At a constant highway speed on a typical straight road, lead/pull is the amount of effort required at the steering wheel to maintain the vehicle's straight path.

Did you review the General Description and perform the visual/physical inspections? If yes, go to next step. If no, see SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
Road test the vehicle in order to verify the complaint. Does the vehicle operate normally? If yes, system is OK. If no, go to next step.
Inspect the tire/wheel assemblies for correct tire pressure, tire size and abnormal tire wear or damage Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 9. If no, go to next step.
Perform the RADIAL TIRE LEAD/PULL CORRECTION in TIRES AND WHEELS . Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 9. If no, go to next step.
Inspect and correct/adjust the suspension and steering systems for:
- Vehicle trim height - refer to TRIM HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS .
- Excessively worn, loose, or damaged components.
Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 9. If no, go to next step.
Inspect the brake system for brake drag. With the vehicle suspended on a hoist, brake drag can be identified by rotating each wheel several times and observing whether more force is need to rotate the left wheel or the right wheel. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 9. If no, go to next step.
Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust as necessary. Refer to the following:
- For 2003 models, refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
- For 2004 models, refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
Inspect the steering gear for unequal effort. The vehicle must be suspended on a hoist, the engine running, and the transmission in park or neutral. Grasp the tire assembly and manually simulate a turn from the left of center and the right of center observing whether more force is needed to turn to the left or to the right. If this condition exists replace the steering gear. Did you correct the condition? If yes, go to next step. If no, go back to step 3.
Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, system is OK. If no, go back to step 3.