markp

Hi I have a problem with my escort van; when you let go of the steering wheel it veers to the left. I have had the tracking checked and adjusted by two independant tyre places and it is ok. I have also had a four wheel alignment done by ford, they said the front is fine, but the back is out by 15 degrees and the chap said he thinks it is the rear leaf springs, he reckons one of them is worn and that is why the van is veering over to the left.

If you look at the van is does seem to have dropped at the back left side a bit. Also the gap between the edge of the rear tyre and the front of the rear wheel arch is slightly different on each side.

The ford chap said that the van does not look like it has been in a crash, so its not that.

Im a bit reluctant to get the rear springs changed as they are not cheap, can anyone help with this im getting desperate!

Thanks Mark

magentasafchris

Yeah i would be a little reluctant to fit new leaf springs to. Sound's like a front lower suspension arm problem (wishbones). But if you have had the tracking checked i would assume they checked the wishbone bushes etc. Work in a tyre place my self and come accross the old escort bottom arm syndrome quite a lot.

vinnyvangough

Yea have to say sounds like a lower arm bush problem but if you say the rear looks a little low too, it may be that your rear axle has moved. Mine had moved once by about 3mm after we measured it, due to me handbraking into a kerb. I did noticed it veered a little but nothing major.

markp

Thanks guys, I have had the front wishbones replaced only about a month ago and the anti roll bar bushes (because the van was making knocking noises) - I reckon that the rear axle could have moved thats what ford said, but could a worn spring make it move? When I was driving it today I could hear "creaking" like a worn bed spring! coming from the rear.

vinnyvangough - how do i check to see if the axle has moved? Also if it has is it expensive to correct the problem?

Cheers Mark

vinnyvangough

The way it would have moved is most likely to be side to side. Just measure of a set point either side and compare measurements. The axle is only held in place by the u-bolts that wrap around the rear axle and up through a clamping bracket on the leaf spring, if the axle has moved, you will have to move it and relocate it by undoing these bolts and measuring until it is in the right position and tigtening again. Hope this helps

markp

Cheers for that info, do you recon a worn spring could move the axle though? The ford chap said it was (the axle) +15 degrees one side and -15 degrees the other, which is why he reckons the springs are at fault!

Its a real pain in the arse trying to sort this out and get to the bottom of it!

Thanks for all your help

Mark

vinnyvangough

It could be just that the spring has gone after its had a slight dap on one of the wheels moving the axle. Might be an idea to check/replace the rear shocks too.