I am a owner of a 1996 Lexus ES300, my problem is every time I accelerate hard the car pulls to the right severely. I have replaced everything with the suspension with the acceptation of the struts. Also had aligned. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for?

 

my guess would be a stuck sliding pin or seized caliper, or bad axle.

 

Did you replace the lower control arm bushings? My car had a similar problem and after I replaced the control arms the problem was fixed.

 

Raise the front end safely and use jack stand for add safety.

Grab the wheel and feel for SLOP.

When mine started to wonder, it was my steering rack bushing on the driver side that went out. Pretty easy to swap.

 

808, thank you for the suggestions, however all the items you suggested have been replaced. Thanks

 

djp, as a matter of fact I have not replaced the control arm bushings yet, I believe I will this a shot when I replace the struts. Thanks

 

Draco, I just replaced the rack just before I had it realigned. Thanks

 

Okay, all checked. Good.

Then I am sorry to write it may be the alignment shop. Did they give you a print out of the final specs?

You see, if the Thrust angle is off, it will push the car more apparently under load. I bet it does not drift while coasting, right?

 

A quick swap of the tires (driver to passenger side) will tell you if the problem follows the tire. I know it would be an extreme example, but I've seen tires cause the pulling. I have been through this many times on different vehicles and you want to omit the simple stuff.

 

You have replaced parts, but first thing to ask is have you checked tire pressure on that side and all the way around?

If you have replaced parts and done a alignment, then it gets a bit harder to figure out.

It could be the transaxle and maybe a bad cv joint. Sometimes before they get real bad and start clicking and what not, they just dont spin as freely as the bearings wear. If one wheel does not spin as well as the other, then on WOT it may pull to the side of the resistance. Inspect the inner out CV boots to see if theyre torn or leaking.

Also, if the car has been in an accident, it may have frame damage. If there is damage and the car has setback (as in hit hard on one side and pushed the frame in to throw off geometry) you will never be able to tell. Depending on the damage 1 mm can be enough distortion to make the car pull.

Beyond that, also check for damaged or worn suspension parts, end links, tie rod, lower control arm etc. Sometimes tow trucks hook onto them and bend them or they get hit on curbs etc.