Accelerating/Decelerating

[92Beast]

What would possibly be causing my festive to pull to the left when I accelerate and pull to the right when I let off the gas. I have a '92 Festiva 5 speed. I looked at the engine mounts and they seem to be ok. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Pu241]

I would check the control arms.
Had this happened on my wife's car when the sleeves to the control arm bushings seized to the bolt in the "frame".
They act as rubber band, storing energy under acceleration or a tight turn, and when you letup or come out of the turn, the energy is released with the resultant "pull".
It's even worse in a long tight turn at speed, or have you had the pleasure yet?
Have to replace the control arms and you may have to sawsall the bolts to remove them.
Similar to what many have had to do when replacing rear struts when the same thing happens with that bushing.

[Chobobulous]

As suggested above,

When the nut that connects the lower control arm to the front sway bar backed off my car did exactly what you are describing.

[Pu241]

As suggested above,

When the nut that connects the lower control arm to the front sway bar backed off my car did exactly what you are describing.

Agreed, could also be bad/deteriorated control arm to hub bushings, now that you mention it!

[M3NTAL]

Don't forget the little things... check your tire pressures.

[Gomez]

Sway bar to chassis mounts too !!!

[zoom zoom]

Im gonna say lower control arms or tire pressure for your problem too, and since we're naming suspension components that go bad I'll play, STEERING RACK!

[92Beast]

Tomorrow is the big day to raise the beast and take a much closer look.
Thanks to all for the much needed advice.
This is my second Festiva I've owned, regretted selling the first one.

[tooldude]

That is called torque steer and is caused by movement in the steering anywhere from the steering rack out to the wheel bearings and spindle. Rubber parts are the most suspicious. Look for oil getting on any rubber bushings as it will cause them to get spongy and continues to ruin new parts. If you can't detect obvious movement in any one front end part, you could have cumulative movement in several parts.

[blueoval]

alignment also if the car has ever been wrecked, and like everyone else has said one or all could be the problem. good luck

[Chobobulous]

Any follow up on this?

[92Beast]

On hold til next Thursday. Having the crankshaft & camshaft seals replaced first. Will keep you posted. Thanks

[92Beast]

I replaced both control arms and swaybar bushings.
Thank you for the help.
The beast feels much better. No fighting with the steering wheel.
Now onto other smaller projects with it.

[Bert]

What would possibly be causing my festive to pull to the left when I accelerate and pull to the right when I let off the gas. I have a '92 Festiva 5 speed. I looked at the engine mounts and they seem to be ok. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Happened to me last year. Lower ball joint was worn out/loose. This is not as easy to diagnose as you'd think as it requires the weight of the car to be taken off the wheels and a bar inserted to move the control arm up and down in order to look for slack at the joint.