Hard Pull Under Acceleration

[Kevin Mitchell]

Hey guys,

Is it normal to experience a very hard pull to the left under medium/hard throttle? I have never experienced WOT of my car due to this issue. I know that with the FWD bias it will pull, but this is almost scary.

The car doesn't pull during regular driving, only under acceleration. It is a '13 PP

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[SHOdded]

Have you had the alignment checked/corrected? Should check wheels & tires also. Maybe you had the tires rotated, did it make any difference? It is unusual to have a pull to the left due to acceleration, I've only experienced pull to the right in high-throttle conditions, on a straight/flat road.

The electronic steering (EPAS) module could be involved, but let's cross out the usual suspects first.

 

[krewat]

Neither my '13 nor the '16 pull under hard acceleration unless one tire is losing traction. If you have a consistent pull to one side, first, check tire pressures and amount of tread on each tire, you never know.

Does it do it when you're holding the wheel tightly? What happens if you let go of the wheel (or at least, let it do what it wants to do) - what happens? Does it continue to pull to one side, like it'll go around a curve on it's own, or does it start going straight again?

 

[Kevin Mitchell]

Have you had the alignment checked/corrected? Should check wheels & tires also. Maybe you had the tires rotated, did it make any difference? It is unusual to have a pull to the left due to acceleration, I've only experienced pull to the right in high-throttle conditions, on a straight/flat road.

The electronic steering (EPAS) module could be involved, but let's cross out the usual suspects first.

I have not had an alignment done, but the car does not pull during normal driving. I can certainly have it checked out though. I have noticed this basically since I got the car a few months ago, and I thought that when I put new tires on it, the issue might resolve, but it didn't (I didn't put four tires on just for that issue though!)

I put four new tires at 10K miles and I am now at 15K.

 

[Kevin Mitchell]

Neither my '13 nor the '16 pull under hard acceleration unless one tire is losing traction. If you have a consistent pull to one side, first, check tire pressures and amount of tread on each tire, you never know.

Does it do it when you're holding the wheel tightly? What happens if you let go of the wheel (or at least, let it do what it wants to do) - what happens? Does it continue to pull to one side, like it'll go around a curve on it's own, or does it start going straight again?

I have checked my tire pressue and it is okay, and tread also appears consistent, with even wear. I replaced all four tires about 5K miles ago.

When it happens, I hold the wheel tighlty and have to fight it, otherwise it really feels like I will lose control. If I were to let go, it acts like it wants to go sharply to the left. I'm not sure if it would begin to correct itself after it pulls hard..

 

[SHOdded]

I dont think this is the cause, but what tires did you get and are they directionsl? Do you trust the place that did the work? They could easily have damaged something during the install.

See if there are any codes set in the PCM. Not all codes set a CEL.

 

[Kevin Mitchell]

I dont think this is the cause, but what tires did you get and are they directionsl? Do you trust the place that did the work? They could easily have damaged something during the install.

See if there are any codes set in the PCM. Not all codes set a CEL.

I put Contintental ExtremeContact DWS06s on, and it was done at Stevens Ford in CT. I got a hole in the sidewall of my front tire on a trip from NJ to Mass...

What do you think they possibly could have damaged?

 

[Terryy]

I get momentary torque steer on full throttle shifts at ~50 something on wet roads. No traction light.
But I did get a traction light once on the next higher shift with a goodly twitch to the left. Wet freeway that time,

 

[SHOdded]

What do you think they possibly could have damaged?

A Ford dealership shouldn't have damaged ANYTHING, but ... Anything's game - hard parts like control arms, end links, etc and electronic parts like wheel speed sensors. Are all tires facing the same direction? The DWx series are directional.

I think an alignment is the next step, followed by a check of the EPAS system if the alignment does not solve issues.

 

[Kevin Mitchell]

A Ford dealership shouldn't have damaged ANYTHING, but ... Anything's game - hard parts like control arms, end links, etc and electronic parts like wheel speed sensors. Are all tires facing the same direction? The DWx series are directional.

I think an alignment is the next step, followed by a check of the EPAS system if the alignment does not solve issues.

I was not actually aware of that about the tires. Is there a way to double check that. I would assume that the Ford dealer would have knowledge about this, but then again, I'm not really sure.

I will do an alignment, or at least check it, when I bring it in for an oil change and Fuel Pump Module recall.

By the way, at 15K miles, should I have the PTU fluid done as well?

 

[6500rpm]

I think SHOdded has it right. Most tire shops in my area will do an alignment check at a lesser amount than an alignment if unnecessary. They're going to check for loose and worn steering and suspension parts in the process. Some FWD vehicles have issues with torque steer but I'd have to think that it's not an issue with the SHO or it would have been well documented by now. Maybe micky mouse with the traction control/stability control by turning them off and see if it has any positive/negative effect on the issue.

 

[SHOdded]

Most likely the dealer won't do the PTU fluid, but doesn't hurt to ask, especially if you can talk to the transmission tech directly. If they will do it, go ahead and have it done. It's broken in by now new fluid would be perfect. Best not to exceed 30K or so on PTU fluid if you have "mixed" driving and/or get into it often.

The tire tread pattern on all 4 tires should be pointing in the same direction. They do sometimes get installed backwards if techs aren't careful.

 

[yamahaSHO]

"Hard Pull Under Acceleration"

Um, yes please.

 

[ToMang07]

I know....older thread.... but I get a decent pull to the left on my '13 non-PP SHO. Nothing crazy, but it's similar to my father's '08 SEL. The TC light does come on for a second....haven't tried it without TC yet.