Vehicle Leads/Pulls
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Jimmy and 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. 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 necessary inspections? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Road test the vehicle in order to verify the complaint. Does the vehicle operate normally? If yes, system is okay. If no, go to next step.
- Inspect the tire/wheel assemblies for:
- Correct tire pressure.
- Correct tire size.
- Abnormal tire wear or damage.
- Perform the RADIAL TIRE LEAD/PULL CORRECTION . 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 the following conditions:
- Vehicle trim height. See TRIM HEIGHT INSPECTION PROCEDURE
- Excessively worn, loose, or damaged components.
- 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 WHEEL ALIGNMENT . Did you correct the condition? If yes, go to step 9. If no, go to next step.
- 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, system is okay. If no, go to step 3.
- Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, system is okay. If no, go to step 3.