P38A Car Pulling to the left

My Diesel is constantly pulling to the left to the point where a long journey is almost uncomfortable. In the 3+ years I have had it, it has always pulled to the kerb and worn away the outside of the N/S tyre. Last year I had the drag link replaced and have had the wheel alignment checked on a number of times but they have always said the alignment is true. Its not tyre pressures as these are regularly checked and maintained. The only thing I can think of is the steering box is not centered as per RAVE Fault matrix but have not checked this.

As its coming up to pre MOT TLC time, I thought it would be a good time to tackle this issue. Any ideas?

If you have checked everything more than likely front radius arm bushes and maybe Panhard rod bushes worn.

wammers said:

If you have checked everything more than likely front radius arm bushes and maybe Panhard rod bushes worn.

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Or even the rear Panhard rod & radius arm bushes, less likely but possible judging by the effect a rear Panhard rod bush had on mine.

Datatek said:

Or even the rear Panhard rod & radius arm bushes, less likely but possible judging by the effect a rear Panhard rod bush had on mine.

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Mine was doing that, pulling to left and trying to dive left if you hit bump, changing front radius arm bushes and Panhard rod bushes cured it completely.

Edit - When my wheels are dead straight my steering wheel is slightly off. I need to sort this.

Steering ram okay?

RangeRoller dt said:

When your wheels are dead straight the steering wheel isn’t on these vehicles. They were designed like that for ease of driving or some such?

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Nope steering wheel should be centred. If yours isn't it needs sorting.

Tyre pressures?

wammers said:

Nope steering wheel should be centred. If yours isn't it needs sorting.

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I will try look see where I got that idea from. Only few degrees and she drives straight as arrow

wammers said:

Mine was doing that, pulling to left and trying to dive left if you hit bump, changing front radius arm bushes and Panhard rod bushes cured it completely.

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Oddly enough panhard rod/bushes is one of the few things under mine that is still original.

RangeRoller dt said:

Edit - When my wheels are dead straight my steering wheel is slightly off. I need to sort this.

Steering ram okay?

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Steering wheel centring is set with wheels straight ahead by adjusting length of drag link.

RangeRoller dt said:

Edit - When my wheels are dead straight my steering wheel is slightly off. I need to sort this.

Steering ram okay?

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Steering ram? No ram on the P38, it's an old fashioned steering box.

Datatek said:

Steering ram? No ram on the P38, it's an old fashioned steering box.

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By ram I meant ‘damper’, sorry
This thing -

RangeRoller dt said:

By ram I meant ‘damper’, sorry
This thing -
View attachment 176418

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That's the overpriced version

Does cause issues I’ve heard. Mine is presumed original and still decent after hard life.

My steering box (beside the accumulator) seems to be leaking, considerably lately P/S fluid doesn’t seem to be going down, is there separate fluid in the box mechanism?

RangeRoller dt said:

Does cause issues I’ve heard. Mine is presumed original and still decent after hard life.

My steering box (beside the accumulator) seems to be leaking, considerably lately P/S fluid doesn’t seem to be going down, is there separate fluid in the box mechanism?

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Damper will hide issues rather than cure it. It makes the driving experience a bit more pleasant, that's all. If it is pulling somewhere then something else is at play.

Grrrrrr said:

Damper will hide issues rather than cure it. It makes the driving experience a bit more pleasant, that's all. If it is pulling somewhere then something else is at play.

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Unless of course he has one of the ridiculous self centring dampers fitted.

RangeRoller dt said:

Does cause issues I’ve heard. Mine is presumed original and still decent after hard life.

My steering box (beside the accumulator) seems to be leaking, considerably lately P/S fluid doesn’t seem to be going down, is there separate fluid in the box mechanism?

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No.

wammers said:

Unless of course he has one of the ridiculous self centring dampers fitted.

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The springy gas one from TerriblyFirmer? But surely no-one on here would fit one of those?!

I will have a look over the weekend snd see whats going on.

Grrrrrr said:

The springy gas one from TerriblyFirmer? But surely no-one on here would fit one of those?!

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Bet Piercy would can’t stop ordering new TF parts