GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Generic 🢒 2000 🢒 Unit Repair 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Suspension General Diagnosis 🢒 Vehicle Leads/Pulls

Lead/Pull Correction Table

Step

Action

Yes

No

Lead/pull is the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path on a level road with no pressure on the steering wheel. Use the lead/pull correction table in order to verify that improper wheel alignment or worn components are not mistaken for tire lead.

1

Did you review the Diagnostic Starting point?

Go to Step 2

Go to the Diagnostic starting point LINK

2

Verify the malfunction is present.

Does the system operate as designed?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Test the vehicle under the conditions that the customer reported.

Does the system operate as designed?

System OK

Go to Step 4

4

Inspect the tire/wheel assemblies for the following conditions:

    • Correct tire pressure--Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication.
    • Correct tire size--Refer to Vehicle Certification Label in General Information.

Do any of the above conditions exist?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Repair or replace the tire/wheel assemblies as necessary.

Is the repair or replacement complete?

Go to Step 16

--

6

Inspect the front/rear suspensions for the following:

    • Inspect the vehicle trim height--Refer toTrim Height Inspection Procedure
    • Excessive wear or loose components--Refer to Suspension General Diagnosis
    • Excessive wheel bearing play-Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis or Wheel Bearings Diagnosis - Sealed

Do any of the above conditions exist?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

Repair or replace components as necessary.

    • Tighten components to specifications. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension or Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
    • Adjust or replace the wheel bearings . Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment or Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement (Rear Wheel Drive) or Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement (Automatic Four Wheel Drive) in Front Suspension.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Step 16

--

8

Inspect the Brake system for Brake drag. Refer to Brakes Drag in Hydraulic Brakes.

Do any of the above conditions exist?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

Repair or replace components as necessary.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Step 16

--

10

Inspect the steering gear valve for an unbalance.

If this is the cause, steering effort will be very light in the direction of the lead and effort will be heavy in the opposite direction with the vehicle parked on a smooth level surface.

Does the above condition exist?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

11

Replace the steering gear valve. Refer to Steering Gear Valve Replacement - Off Vehicle in Power Steering Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Step 16

--

12

Inspect the wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment.

Is the wheel alignment in specifications?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 13

13

Adjust alignment to specifications. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Step 16

--

14
  1. Cross-switch the front tire/wheel assemblies.
  2. Road test the vehicle on a smooth level surface.

Does the vehicle still lead/pull?

Go to Step 11

System OK

15

Does the vehicle lead/pull in the opposite direction?

Go to Radial Tire Lead/Pull Correction in Tires and Wheels

Go to Step 1

16

Verify proper system operation.

Does the original condition still exist?

Go to Step 1

System OK