48 champ pulls left

[Jhylant]

I had car aligned the only thing that came in tolerance was the toe. Let go of the wheel cars plus left immediately. On a right turn car feels like it's leaning left a lot. Left hand turns are fine. No idea what's wrong. I don't have much access to a lift and last time it was up we looked for something. Problem is I don't know what I'm looking for.

[raoulr]

You could start by eliminating tire problems. Swap the right and left fronts. If the problem goes to the other side you've got a bad tire.

[Jhylant]

Not tires. Wear would have been noted during alignment. Although I don't drive it much. Just had total engine rebuild and finally got enough miles to change oil

[Topper2011]

Actually, a tire swap is a good start. I've seen plenty of new tires have tire pull. Costs nothing to try.

[Jhylant]

I'm not sure you realize how severe this pill is
I can't take my hands off the wheel at all. It's an instant severe pull that coul cause an accident. Also tires would not solve the left lean when I turn right

[Jhylant]

Oooh, I like the "man plans, God laughs" thing
or wait, do I

[55s]

The way you are describing it, it does sound like tires. (turns well left, but doesn't like right.)

I agree, it should not be driven until the cause is found.

Is a brake shoe grabbing? Are the hoses new? (hoses are known to collapse internally). Brake line crimped? Old brake fluid?

Are the two front brakes set up the same, except opposite? Many years ago, a mechanic put on the braks so they unadjusted when brake pedal was depressed.

Rust inside the brake drum?

Suggest lifting the front end and seeing if brakes apply evenly.

There should be many articles about brakes pulling in past articles.

[StudeRich]

The Transverse Front Leaf Spring may be gummed up on one side and or needing Grease more on one side than the other.
The condition of the Spring should be checked.

I have experienced them while driving/turning, to Lean and Lock to one side before.

Did you ask what the final "Specs" were after Alignment? It is Very important to know just HOW far from the Desired Factory Setting it is actually at for straight ahead tracking.

[Jhylant]

They give a report left front toe 0.11 right 0.12 both within specs left caster -0.2 right -0.5 both out of specs but close camber left 1.4 right -0.7 all are fairly close except toe which is right on. Old car full frame nothing going on in rear.

[Greenstude]

Checking all components of both front brakes thoroughly would be my starting point.

[Ross]

If your camber is really 1.4 degrees on the left and -.7 degrees on the right it is going to pull left like crazy. It should have at most .75 degree on the left and then the right should be .25 degree positive as generally one wants a half degree more on the left side to compensate for road crown.

[Jhylant]

Camber discussion has it. It's going back in for a realignment. Manager looked at the numbers and said you're pulling left. I said no duh 🙄.

[Jhylant]

They didn't use any shims. They don't think it has shims. Please advise on that 1

[Jhylant]

Tried another alignment shop. It's now in spec. So tired alignment and brakes are all ok
StudeRich may have some good ideas. I know left rear spring grease fitting is broken. I have to replace that one. More later. Winter WINDY and 50's so hiatus for now. Car runs great. Clock runs slow, any ideas on that?

[6hk71400]

Jim,

You are lucky. Since 1968 I have not owned a Studebaker that the clock worked at all, so I have no idea about the clock but I am sure there are guy that can help with that. As I am retired, unless it is for a doctor's appointment, I don't care if I am on time or not!

Cheers