Steering Pull

The 109 has a very slight pull to the left, so slight that it can easily be mistaken for simple following of the road camber. In fact, if I drive on a right hand side slope (like overtaking – yes it can be done in a SIII), then the vehicle will slowly pull to the right. It’s only noticeable when driving a completely flat and straight road, and takes hardly any effort to keep straight, but none the less, I want it to be perfect.

I had a laser four-wheel alignment check carried out and it turns out the front wheel cambers are off, though everything else is spot on. The front wheels are supposed to have a 1 degree 30 seconds camber, but one has 1*15′ and the other only 45′. I think this is the cause of the pull.

Given that the wheel bearings and stub axles have been replaced during the rebuild, the only other causes must be worn swivel pins/bearings or a bent axle case. I haven’t had any incidents to cause the latter, so I’m pretty sure it’s the swivels.

I pulled the top pin on the side with the least camber. There wasn’t much difference in diameter on the worn and machined areas, but there was significant marking of the surface. I suspect that the Railko bush is well past its best, even though there is no apparent play.

I have refitted the swivel pin 180* to its original orientation in the hope that it may restore part of the missing camber until I replace the pins, Railko bushes and bottom bearings on both sides.