Tire pull issue... any ideas on how to remedy?

MyKmYk · 10-13-2010, 11:51 AM

I posted this in the main forum, but I'm also posting it here as I thought I might get better replies in the wheel/tire forum.

So about a month ago I ordered M6 reps for my car. I also ordered Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S tires, 235/35/19 for the fronts and 275/30/19 for the rear. The 275/30's were are bit too big and looked odd (also rubbed under load on steep inclines), so we downsized to 255/35's.

Here is the issue:
On my stock wheels, the car drove stright and true without any issues. However as soon as I put on these wheels (which were brand new), my car started pulling to the right. This happened with both the 275/30's and the 255/35's.

To address this issue I have done the following:

+ First, I inspected the wheels (no bends)
+ Next, I checked the air pressures. They are even, side to side, and are holding air without issue.
+ So, I decided to go and get an alignment. My car was very close to spec, with only the rears being out of alignment. Got the alignment to factory spec. No luck.
+ I went back to the tire place, and they switched the front tires left to right as they thought there might be an issue with the tire's construction. The car still pulled to the same side after being switched.
+ We replaced the front tires with two brand new tires, and inflated them to the proper pressure. The pull is still present.

Where do I go from here? The pull is present even on the smoothest and flatest roads, and it is absolutely driving me crazy. A BMW-tech friend of mine says we can come back in to do another alignment, but he suggested to first switch the rears. Seeing as the tires are directional, I'm unsure as to if this will really help any. The tire company also says it will not help anything, as it would not matter on the rears, but I am suspicious as to if they are just trying to pass the buck.

Am I missing something here?

DerekSelmanRacing · 10-13-2010, 02:20 PM

Boy, this one IS puzzling.

I have run into a FEW instances of a bad ft tire causing a pull to one side. In theory, a bad rear tire COULD do the same. My next step would be to switch the rears side to side.

Are any of the brakes dragging? A mechanical issue could possibly have cropped up coincidentally. Not sure about the M, turn off stability control as a check also.

I assume the wheel sizes/offsets are different ft to rear. Is it possible they are mixed up? Not really sure this would do it; I recently did one track session with an 8.5" wheel on rf and a 9.5" wheel on lf and it didn't pull, but...

You've got me scratching my head!

Crimson92 · 10-13-2010, 04:47 PM

well the roads in the US have some curvature to it for obvious reasons which could cause some of the pull.

Is it a bad pull ?

When i had my old merc this was the case, i had the alignment adjust to stop the pull.

10-13-2010, 11:51 AM	#1
MyKmYk BMW Individual Junkie. 98 Rep 478 Posts Drives: Mora E46, Tanzanite G20 M340i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	Tire pull issue... any ideas on how to remedy? I posted this in the main forum, but I'm also posting it here as I thought I might get better replies in the wheel/tire forum. So about a month ago I ordered M6 reps for my car. I also ordered Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S tires, 235/35/19 for the fronts and 275/30/19 for the rear. The 275/30's were are bit too big and looked odd (also rubbed under load on steep inclines), so we downsized to 255/35's. Here is the issue: On my stock wheels, the car drove stright and true without any issues. However as soon as I put on these wheels (which were brand new), my car started pulling to the right. This happened with both the 275/30's and the 255/35's. To address this issue I have done the following: + First, I inspected the wheels (no bends) + Next, I checked the air pressures. They are even, side to side, and are holding air without issue. + So, I decided to go and get an alignment. My car was very close to spec, with only the rears being out of alignment. Got the alignment to factory spec. No luck. + I went back to the tire place, and they switched the front tires left to right as they thought there might be an issue with the tire's construction. The car still pulled to the same side after being switched. + We replaced the front tires with two brand new tires, and inflated them to the proper pressure. The pull is still present. Where do I go from here? The pull is present even on the smoothest and flatest roads, and it is absolutely driving me crazy. A BMW-tech friend of mine says we can come back in to do another alignment, but he suggested to first switch the rears. Seeing as the tires are directional, I'm unsure as to if this will really help any. The tire company also says it will not help anything, as it would not matter on the rears, but I am suspicious as to if they are just trying to pass the buck. Am I missing something here? __________________ ///MYKE
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10-13-2010, 02:20 PM	#2
DerekSelmanRacing Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 05 Z4 3.0 SMG, 01 530 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ. iTrader: (0)	Boy, this one IS puzzling. I have run into a FEW instances of a bad ft tire causing a pull to one side. In theory, a bad rear tire COULD do the same. My next step would be to switch the rears side to side. Are any of the brakes dragging? A mechanical issue could possibly have cropped up coincidentally. Not sure about the M, turn off stability control as a check also. I assume the wheel sizes/offsets are different ft to rear. Is it possible they are mixed up? Not really sure this would do it; I recently did one track session with an 8.5" wheel on rf and a 9.5" wheel on lf and it didn't pull, but... You've got me scratching my head!
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10-13-2010, 04:47 PM	#3
Crimson92 Smiling Politely 1381 Rep 29,118 Posts Drives: Like a boss Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Whales Vagina iTrader: (3)	well the roads in the US have some curvature to it for obvious reasons which could cause some of the pull. Is it a bad pull ? When i had my old merc this was the case, i had the alignment adjust to stop the pull.
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