I know nothing about front end stuff.....

[jimdigs]

...I know festivas are known for front end issues. What would be the "most likely" cause for my car pulling to the left pretty hard. I know it could be a number of things but what is it usually? All I know for sure is that the tire pressure is good other than that I'm clueless to front end stuff like idler arms, sway bars, stuff like that. I have never tried to work on or learn these things but would try now. What you guys think? Thanks, Jim

[Movin]

Start by jacking up the front end and wiggle the tires in all directions looking for something loose. They are an incredibly strong front end for their weight.

If every thing is tight swap the front tires to see if the front pull changes in any way.
Tires are the weakest link in the front end.

[muleskinner]

I jacked my car up the other day and grabbed the wheel at the top and bottom and pulled back and forward. It moved. Does that mean its a ball joint??

I don't have any pull to the left or right though when I'm driving.

[91blufestiva]

^ movement up and down would be ball joint, that wouldn't neccessarilly cause any pulling, the left to right movement would be tie rod, thats where it would mess up your alignment

[FestYboy]

up down movement CAN be ball joint, but in our case, it's more likely a loose top hat or bad strut tube. if you want to check for ball joint play for our cars (we'll use the RF wheel as example) take your right hand to the 4:30 position and the left to the 10:30 position (with the car in the air) and use your right hand to shake the wheel (left hand is for support). the optional way to do it if you can get the car high enough is to grab (with both hands) at the 4:30 position and shake. you're using the tierod end as a pivot point. a second pair of eyes can sometimes be needed.

lastly a third option: big pair of channel lock pliers..... squeeze the balljoint with it installed in the knuckle (this can be done on the ground or in the air though results will vary in severity depending on method). if there's play, it will collapse into the joint.

[MasterTec]

It could also be a wheel bearing. Look underneath while someone else shakes the wheel. You'll see what's moving.

[zoom zoom]

Haha, just cause I can, ill throw in another option...steering rack bushings!

Peaspire jerked hard left often, especially when shifting gears. I thought it was a tie rod end...turned out to be the rack.

[Movin]

As said above...see what is moving!!

[WmWatt]

Check the brakes. Sometimes the pads stick on the pin because the pin gets dirty and rusty. Try cleaning the pin with a small strip of sandpaper or some steel wool and give it some oil. Don't need to remove the pads or pins to do this.

[jimdigs]

Ok, I'll jack her up and check things out for movement. Thanks.

[zoom zoom]

if it's a constant pull to the left, could just be an alignment issue. If you take it in for an alignment those guys should let you know if you've got a bad ball joint or anything, they really like collecting that easy money..they can't do a good alignment with a bad ball joint.

[denguy]

Is it pulling when you brake? I had that problem and it turned out to be a plugged rubber hose that runs to the caliper, had to replace it. Did both, actually.

[jimdigs]

Ok, I finally jacked up the car and this is what I found. The drivers side wheel does move back and forth a little when held at the 3 and 9 position but it feel more like a hydraulic movement, if that makes sense? The passenger side wheel moves back and forth at the same position as the other but this one when moved feels more like a loose lug nut but there isn't a loose lug nut. Hope this helps in your good folks evaluation of what I have going on. Thanks, Jim

[zoom zoom]

Is there any play in your steering wheel? Does it feel loose and easy to turn? Grab ahold of the inner tie rod and try to lift them up and down by the steering rack boots on both sides. If you get up and down play its probably worn out rack bushings. Those shouldn't be able to move up/down/in/out at all without turning the wheels.

[Movin]

Its kind of hard to see what jiggles when you are the jiggler.