Steering pulls to the left on V8V
Discussion
This one is probably more for Rick or any tech bods.
Since first time ownership of 2007 model V8V I have noticed the steering has a slight pull to the nearside whilst driving on any road surface from 25mph upwards.
I first pointed it out to the very kind salesman at the Authorized Dealer when I first test drove the car, and they tried to fix the problem.
After nearly 2,000 miles and having the car checked twice by my local dealer and again where I bought the car, the problem still exist.
Geometry checks reveal everything is within factory tolerance of toe-in, camber caster etc. The latest adjustment from the dealer where I bought the car (and suggested by AM technicians) was to alter the caster angle further forward on the nearside to the maximum allowance in an attempt to cure the problem. The technician said it was better, and to try the car again. Within the first few hundred yards of driving the car, it was still the same.
I fully appreciate the steering is sensitive to road camber, road surface change etc. but I have to apply a small constant pressure to the steering wheel to keep it straight ahead from pulling to the nearside. I have driven many cars over the years (including Porsche, still own a Noble 3R) and never experienced this before.
I absolutely love the car and experience of driving it, but would love to be able to solve this problem.
The car has covered 6,000 miles (4,00 when I bought it) from new now, I’m the second owner, I have not run over any kerbs or rough stuff.
Anyone had similar experience or know of a solution ?
Cheers,
Ian
Since first time ownership of 2007 model V8V I have noticed the steering has a slight pull to the nearside whilst driving on any road surface from 25mph upwards.
I first pointed it out to the very kind salesman at the Authorized Dealer when I first test drove the car, and they tried to fix the problem.
After nearly 2,000 miles and having the car checked twice by my local dealer and again where I bought the car, the problem still exist.
Geometry checks reveal everything is within factory tolerance of toe-in, camber caster etc. The latest adjustment from the dealer where I bought the car (and suggested by AM technicians) was to alter the caster angle further forward on the nearside to the maximum allowance in an attempt to cure the problem. The technician said it was better, and to try the car again. Within the first few hundred yards of driving the car, it was still the same.
I fully appreciate the steering is sensitive to road camber, road surface change etc. but I have to apply a small constant pressure to the steering wheel to keep it straight ahead from pulling to the nearside. I have driven many cars over the years (including Porsche, still own a Noble 3R) and never experienced this before.
I absolutely love the car and experience of driving it, but would love to be able to solve this problem.
The car has covered 6,000 miles (4,00 when I bought it) from new now, I’m the second owner, I have not run over any kerbs or rough stuff.
Anyone had similar experience or know of a solution ?
Cheers,
Ian
Hi first of all has it been a full geom or has just the front been setup did they give you any printouts has yours got the standard suspension or the uprated sports pack, i have seen this problem when it has been the rear at fault causing what is called a thrustline, other factors, tyre pressures, or has just one tyre been replaced, on a straight clear road, if you cross to the opposite side of the road does the car follow the opposite camber, have there been any work on the suspension such as one shockabsorber or spring replaced under warranty, it could even be a fault on the brakes are all pads wearing at the same rate, also how many clicks have you got on the handbrake,
it is not a common problem like it is on the DB7 but it is something that crops up, if the fully geometry is set up correctly and the fault persists then there has got to be another factor causing the issue,
it is not a common problem like it is on the DB7 but it is something that crops up, if the fully geometry is set up correctly and the fault persists then there has got to be another factor causing the issue,
Hi Rick. Thank you for the reply and you raise some interesting points.
My car had done only 4,300 miles from new with one owner, standard suspension (not sports pack) and from what I understand from the service history no suspension work or anything replaced from new, all tyres are original, tyre pressures where first thing to check and are all OK.
When you cross to the opposite side of the road, the car still pulls to the left and does not follow the opposite camber. I don’t believe the brake pads are binding as I can push the car quite easily into my garage. I will check the hand brake clicks.
For the geometry, I understand what you are saying about thrustline and thrust angle. These are the figures from the print out.
Before:
Left Front: Camber -0.35’ Caster 4.49’ Toe 0.05’
Right Front: Camber -0.19’ (red) Caster 5.19’ Toe 0.04’
Front: Total Toe 0.09’ Steer Ahead 0.00’
Left Rear: -Camber 1.50’ (red) Toe 0.06’ (red)
Right Rear: -Camber 1.43’ Toe 0.11’
Rear: Total Toe 0.17’ (red) Trust angle 0.03’
After:
Left Front: Camber -0.33’ Caster 4.49’ Toe 0.02’
Right Front: Camber -0.29’ Caster 5.19’ Toe 0.03’
Front: Total Toe 0.05’ Steer Ahead 0.00’
Left Rear: -Camber 1.50’ Toe 0.14’
Right Rear: -Camber 1.44’ Toe 0.12’
Rear: Total Toe 0.26’ Trust angle 0.01’
This check, and then alterations where completed by my local Aston Dealer (Houghton Le Spring) who wanted to carry out further investigation because the steering was still pulling to the left.
The Aston Dealer where I bought the car (Cambridge) wanted to try and solve this problem and felt they had a cure after speaking with Aston Technicians. So back to Cambridge, and after seeing the readings above, it was decided to alter the front left caster angle to the max (forward). Made sense to me. After the alteration, they where still not sure if they had cured the problem. The car still pulls to the left.
I have to say, both Aston Dealers (Houghton Le Spring and Cambridge) have been extremely helpful in trying to solve the problem. Just means I have a 600 mile round trip each time I need to take the car back to Cambridge from where I live.
Cheers,
Ian
My car had done only 4,300 miles from new with one owner, standard suspension (not sports pack) and from what I understand from the service history no suspension work or anything replaced from new, all tyres are original, tyre pressures where first thing to check and are all OK.
When you cross to the opposite side of the road, the car still pulls to the left and does not follow the opposite camber. I don’t believe the brake pads are binding as I can push the car quite easily into my garage. I will check the hand brake clicks.
For the geometry, I understand what you are saying about thrustline and thrust angle. These are the figures from the print out.
Before:
Left Front: Camber -0.35’ Caster 4.49’ Toe 0.05’
Right Front: Camber -0.19’ (red) Caster 5.19’ Toe 0.04’
Front: Total Toe 0.09’ Steer Ahead 0.00’
Left Rear: -Camber 1.50’ (red) Toe 0.06’ (red)
Right Rear: -Camber 1.43’ Toe 0.11’
Rear: Total Toe 0.17’ (red) Trust angle 0.03’
After:
Left Front: Camber -0.33’ Caster 4.49’ Toe 0.02’
Right Front: Camber -0.29’ Caster 5.19’ Toe 0.03’
Front: Total Toe 0.05’ Steer Ahead 0.00’
Left Rear: -Camber 1.50’ Toe 0.14’
Right Rear: -Camber 1.44’ Toe 0.12’
Rear: Total Toe 0.26’ Trust angle 0.01’
This check, and then alterations where completed by my local Aston Dealer (Houghton Le Spring) who wanted to carry out further investigation because the steering was still pulling to the left.
The Aston Dealer where I bought the car (Cambridge) wanted to try and solve this problem and felt they had a cure after speaking with Aston Technicians. So back to Cambridge, and after seeing the readings above, it was decided to alter the front left caster angle to the max (forward). Made sense to me. After the alteration, they where still not sure if they had cured the problem. The car still pulls to the left.
I have to say, both Aston Dealers (Houghton Le Spring and Cambridge) have been extremely helpful in trying to solve the problem. Just means I have a 600 mile round trip each time I need to take the car back to Cambridge from where I live.
Cheers,
Ian
The interesting point here is that it still pulls to the left even on an opposite road camber, and adjusting the geometry has had no effect, if we discount the tyres and brakes which can be easily checked and i presume ride heights have been checked, it really only leaves a mechanical issue most likely with the steering rack, I would suspect an hydraulic bias within the rack, In an extreme case it would be easier to turn the steering wheel one way and harder the other, you may or may not notice a difference in yours even if this is a problem, one simple check which may show up with hydraulic bias is on starting on a flat surface without touching the steering wheel does it kick slightly to the left, If non of the other symptoms are evident then it would be very difficult to prove the rack is the issue with replacing and testing to prove or discount it,
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