MistahYebba
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- June 29, 2015
- Messages
- 275
- Reaction score
- 18
- City, State
- Clearwater, Florida
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2005 Ford Explorer XLT
Hi everyone!
I am the proud new owner of a 2005 Explorer XLT, and with a new vehicle comes new challenges!
Day 1:
The tires are worn down quit a bit. Not the worst, but should probably be replaced.
When driving, the steering wheel puts/pulls itself to about 1 o'clock (or a little bit before that). This obviously means I am drifting to the right. If I hold the steering wheel straight (against the pull), it goes straight. If I let go of the steering wheel, it goes straight back to the 1 o'clock (or a little bit before that). I want to be able to drive straight without touching the steering wheel.
Day 2:
I get 4 brand new tires put on.
This has little to no effect on the drivability. Sure, I have more traction, more "control" (especially on wet roads), and perhaps some more "cushion" on the road, but I am not driving any straighter. I guess the pull was not happening due to tread separation or anything like that.
Day 3:
I had no time for an alignment on Day 2, so I waited until today. I am sure that they aligned everything until the sheet shows all green boxes, or whatever. I did not get a sheet to look at.
I was not sure if I should expect the alignment to get rid of the pull to the right.
Needless to say, on the drive home (after the alignment), it may have even been worse.
The steering wheel still pulls to the right when I let go of it.
HOWEVER, now, a centered steering wheel is not truly center. To drive straight, I must hold it very slightly ****ed to the right.
If I hold the steering wheel dead center, I'll actually be drifting to the left!
And of course, once I let go, it goes back to that dreaded 1 o'clock pull to the right again.
----------
I just want to be able to place my steering wheel in the center and have it actually drive straight.
I want to be able to let go of the steering wheel and it does not "pull" and drift me to the right.
What gives?
On my old '92 Explorer, I adjusted what I am pretty sure is called the "drag link" to make my slightly crooked steering wheel straight again. A couple of turns, and a center steering wheel was ACTUALLY center.
Are there drag links to adjust on an '05? Would this just be a band-aid?
I know that the pull to the right will still need to be addressed, even if my steering wheel was centered, but I have to start somewhere.
Any tips?
I am the proud new owner of a 2005 Explorer XLT, and with a new vehicle comes new challenges!
Day 1:
The tires are worn down quit a bit. Not the worst, but should probably be replaced.
When driving, the steering wheel puts/pulls itself to about 1 o'clock (or a little bit before that). This obviously means I am drifting to the right. If I hold the steering wheel straight (against the pull), it goes straight. If I let go of the steering wheel, it goes straight back to the 1 o'clock (or a little bit before that). I want to be able to drive straight without touching the steering wheel.
Day 2:
I get 4 brand new tires put on.
This has little to no effect on the drivability. Sure, I have more traction, more "control" (especially on wet roads), and perhaps some more "cushion" on the road, but I am not driving any straighter. I guess the pull was not happening due to tread separation or anything like that.
Day 3:
I had no time for an alignment on Day 2, so I waited until today. I am sure that they aligned everything until the sheet shows all green boxes, or whatever. I did not get a sheet to look at.
I was not sure if I should expect the alignment to get rid of the pull to the right.
Needless to say, on the drive home (after the alignment), it may have even been worse.
The steering wheel still pulls to the right when I let go of it.
HOWEVER, now, a centered steering wheel is not truly center. To drive straight, I must hold it very slightly ****ed to the right.
If I hold the steering wheel dead center, I'll actually be drifting to the left!
And of course, once I let go, it goes back to that dreaded 1 o'clock pull to the right again.
----------
I just want to be able to place my steering wheel in the center and have it actually drive straight.
I want to be able to let go of the steering wheel and it does not "pull" and drift me to the right.
What gives?
On my old '92 Explorer, I adjusted what I am pretty sure is called the "drag link" to make my slightly crooked steering wheel straight again. A couple of turns, and a center steering wheel was ACTUALLY center.
Are there drag links to adjust on an '05? Would this just be a band-aid?
I know that the pull to the right will still need to be addressed, even if my steering wheel was centered, but I have to start somewhere.
Any tips?