Vehicle Leads/Pulls

NOTE: 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, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
Road test the vehicle in order to verify the complaint. Does the vehicle operate normally? If so, then system is okay. If not, go to next step.
Inspect the tire/wheel assemblies for:
- Correct tire pressure.
- Correct tire size.
Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 5 .
Repair/replace the tire/wheel assemblies as necessary. After repair, go to step 15 .
Inspect the front/rear suspensions for the following conditions:
- Vehicle trim height. See TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE
- Excessively worn, loose, or damaged components.
- Excessive wheel bearing play. Refer to WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS .
Do any of the above conditions apply? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 7 .
Repair/replace components as necessary.
- Tighten components to specifications. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in FRONT SUSPENSION or FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in REAR SUSPENSION.
- Adjust or replace the wheel bearings. Refer to WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT - FRONT in FRONT SUSPENSION or WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT -- REAR in REAR SUSPENSION.
After repair, go to step 15 .
Inspect the brake system for brake drag. Refer to DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT (HYDRAULIC BRAKES) . Do any of the above conditions apply? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 9 .
Repair/replace components as necessary. After repair, 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 repair, go to step 15 .
Inspect the wheel alignment. Refer to MEASURING WHEEL ALIGNMENT in WHEEL ALIGNMENT. Is the wheel alignment in specifications? If so, go to step 13 . If not, go to next step.
Adjust alignment to specifications. Refer to MEASURING WHEEL ALIGNMENT in WHEEL ALIGNMENT. After repair, 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, then system is okay.
Does the vehicle lead/pull in the opposite direction? If so, go to 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, then system is okay. If not, go to step 3 .