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Home >> Pontiac >> 2001 >> Aztek Base, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 34 (Front Suspension System) >> Troubleshooting >> Vehicle Leads/Pulls

Vehicle Leads/Pulls

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

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

  1. Did you review General Description and perform necessary inspections? If yes, go to next step. If no, see VISUAL/PHYSICAL INSPECTION .
  2. Road test vehicle in order to verify complaint. Select a smooth level surface to perform test. Does vehicle operate normally? If yes, system is okay. If no, go to next step.
  3. Inspect tire/wheel assemblies correct tire pressure and correct tire size. Do any of above conditions apply? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  5.
  4. Repair/replace tire/wheel assemblies as necessary. Did you complete repair? If yes, go to step  15.
  5. Inspect front suspension for following conditions: Inspect vehicle trim height, Excessive wear or loose components and excessive wheel bearing play. Do any of above conditions apply? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  7.
  6. Repair/replace components as necessary. Tighten components to specifications. Adjust or replace wheel bearings. Did you complete repair? If yes, go to step  15.
  7. Inspect brake system for brake drag. Do any of above conditions apply? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  9.
  8. Repair/replace components as necessary. Did you complete repair? If yes, go to step  15.
  9. Inspect steering gear valve for an unbalance. If this is cause, steering effort will be very light in direction of lead and effort will be heavy in opposite direction with vehicle parked on a smooth level surface. Does above condition apply? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  11.
  10. Replace steering gear. Did you complete repair? If yes, go to step  15.
  11. Inspect wheel alignment. Is wheel alignment in specifications? If yes, go to step  13.
  12. Adjust alignment to specifications. Did you complete repair? If yes, go to step  15.
  13. Cross front tire/wheel assemblies. Road test vehicle on a smooth level surface. Does vehicle still lead/pull? If yes, go to next step. If no, system is okay.
  14. Does vehicle lead/pull in opposite direction? If yes, problem is with front radial tires. If no, go to next step.
  15. Operate vehicle in order to verify repair.
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