Car steers / veers towards the left

RacerByHeart · 23rd June 2008, 10:40

@ tush

Its not from the alloy wheels as the problem was there before I changed the OE rims and tyres. I used the OE tyres for about 120 km before changing.
My car also pulls to the left if I leave the steering for 2-3 seconds. I am sure its not due to banking of the road. I have tested it on a lot of roads. I did 160 on it last weekend at the NICE road. When i cross 140 the steering started to vibrate. Do u have this problem?

Pratham motors person told me that they have this problem in all swift diesels. This time I will ask them to give it to me in writing that this problem exists in all cars. So that I have written proof.

One way you could solve your problem would be test another car. Test drive another Swift diesel.

tush · 27th June 2008, 15:58

@ RacerByHeart -

I have never gone above 120Kmh as never had a chance. I test drew Dezire just to check if it has the similar problem. It was a ZDI variant. The car maintained the Straight Road and the steering did had a tendency of rotating left only if the left wheel goes through a rough surface, thats the only time the steering rotated left. This weekend i am going to test drive a Swift Diesel. Lets see how it fairs...
I am not sure if ABS has to do something with it as my car is an ABS variant.

Can you let us know what all is being done with your car till date to resolve this issue.

tush · 7th July 2008, 02:27

Bhpians need suggestion.

I confirmed from other maruti dealers that there is no internal circular to adjust the cross member and the cross member cannot be adjusted. If at all they feel such modification is required they first consult Maruti and once they get a go ahead from Maruti only then they would do it. Now since my dealer has adjusted the cross member by grinding the holes of the cross member which is a sort of modification, how should i approach with this issue to the dealer. They had not even informed me before doing such modification and still the issue persists. What should i ask them for now ? Totally confused guys.

RacerByHeart · 7th July 2008, 11:29

@tush

I have not done anything yet. I will be going to a place near South End circle in Bangalore to get it fixed. I will let you know once it it done.

cyneverdie · 8th July 2008, 23:23

Any updates people ??

tush · 28th July 2008, 02:30

People can anyone tell where can i get an expert opinion regarding swift in Pune. Any well known garage engineer who can tell what modifications connected to this issue to the car could cause what effect on it and if that modication is advisable.

Its urgent any help would be highly appreciated.

tush · 1st August 2008, 19:09

Hello Friends,

This is the current situation of my car issue. The Dealership told me that they had modified the cross member by increasing the diameter of the whole by the process of griding, and they have not modified anything else in my car. When i objected to such modification without taking my consent they agreed to replace the cross member with a new one as it was their mistake. The day came when they called me for replacement of cross member i insisted them that i would stay infront when its done. They agreed. While they removed the cross member i asked him where is the whole that they increased the diameter of. They said Sir the whole was not grinded just the side of it was filed. The actual modification is done to your chassis. He showed me that the whole on the chassis was grinded for them to able to shift the cross member from its original location to right to resolve left pulling. I was shocked. They had lied me. I told them to stop the work and keep the car with them. They should have not done such modification without my and Maruti engineers consent. My car is no more like a new car. People i have asked them to give me a replacement with a new chassis or a new car. I want technical suggestions from your side. What impact such change could cause on my car. Are they suppose to do such modification which is irreversible and touches the basic design of a car that has done only around 5000 Kms.

Thanks in advance.

tush · 1st August 2008, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by tush

Hello Friends,

This is the current situation of my car issue. The Dealership told me that they had modified the cross member by increasing the diameter of the whole by the process of griding, and they have not modified anything else in my car. When i objected to such modification without taking my consent they agreed to replace the cross member with a new one as it was their mistake. The day came when they called me for replacement of cross member i insisted them that i would stay infront when its done. They agreed. While they removed the cross member i asked him where is the whole that they increased the diameter of. They said Sir the whole was not grinded just the side of it was filed. The actual modification is done to your chassis. He showed me that the whole on the chassis was grinded for them to able to shift the cross member from its original location to right to resolve left pulling. I was shocked. They had lied me. I told them to stop the work and keep the car with them. They should have not done such modification without my and Maruti engineers consent. My car is no more like a new car. People i have asked them to give me a replacement with a new chassis or a new car. I want technical suggestions from your side. What impact such change could cause on my car. Are they suppose to do such modification which is irreversible and touches the basic design of a car that has done only around 5000 Kms.

Thanks in advance.

Sorry forgot the pics... here they are...

cyneverdie · 2nd August 2008, 03:27

WOW ! Well done & good luck man. Keep us updated

tush · 2nd August 2008, 16:53

Yes i will definetly keep you all updated.
I am really hoping to get some technical advise from some one in team bhp who is aware or has knowledge of this. I might get alone in this fight with the dealer that is what seems to be worring me. Maruti is always gonna support the dealer as dealer gives them big sales.

RacerByHeart · 4th August 2008, 20:11

@ tush.

I had gone to a wheel alignment center to get my car fixed.
As my tyres as Unidirectional, we swapped the front left tyre and rear left tyre. It did not solve the problem. The person who was testing the car said that wheel alignment has to be done again. He also suggested the I might lose the company guarentee that comes with the car if I get it repair from a place which is not an authorised service center.

As he suggested, I did not get the wheel alignment done from there.

I had already written a letter to Maruti. I wrote a letter to Maruti Suzuki again about this problem. The letter was:

Dear Sir,

This is the second letter I am writting to maruti Suzuki, regarding the same problem. I did not get a reply for the first mail.

I bought my Swift VDI from Pratham Motors on 8th may 2008. Pratham motors did not allow me to take a test drive of the car before delivery of the car. After I took the delivery of the car, I noticed that the car has a tendency to pull to the left side. This issue was reported when the car under went the first free service at Pratham motors. Pratham motors gave me a wheel alignment report stating that the wheel alignment was done, however it did not solve the problem. When I asked them about it again, Pratham motors told me that this problem exists in all Swift Diesel cars. Could you please confirm if the problem really exists in all the Swift Diesels.

Its been a long time since Swift Diesel has been introduced by Maruti Suzuki and I can't believe such a simple issue has not been fixed.

I also own a 2006 model Wagon R, which does not have any issue like this.

It has been a very bad experience and because of this I would not be recommending people to go for your cars.

I would also request Maruti Suzuki to provide sufficeint training to the Service centre people so that defects can be corrected before delivery of the car or during servicing of the car.

Regards,

This is the reply I got.

Please include the following line in all replies.
Tracking number: HT20080722_0000000045

Dear Sir,

Thank you for the e-mail.

We value you as esteem Maruti family member and sincerely apologize for any
inconvenience caused to you.

We request you to kindly let us know the location or the Delaer code of the
Maruti Authorised Service Station or Dealer whom you contacted for the issue.

0205
01
PRATHAM MOTORS
16, BALLANDUR
SARJAPUR RING ROAD
BANGALORE-560037

0205
02
PRATHAM MOTORS
STHANIKAM'S ARCADE
OPP. ST THERESA HOSPITAL
DR. RAJKUMAR ROAD, A BLOCK
RAJAJINAGAR 2 STAGE,
BANGALORE-560010

This will help us to resolve your issue at the earliest.

Please feel free to revert in case of any query or clarification.

Regards,
ANY TIME MARUTI
(Call- 9910202020 or Toll Free-1800 1800 180)
International Toll Free Numbers:
1866 527 5698 (From USA and Canada)
0800 0852247 (From UK)
Please Visit us at <<Maruti Suzuki official site

I answered the their query about the car dealer. Pratham motors, Bellandur, bangalore. I did this at 11 in the morning. At 1 o'clock I got a call from Pratham motors stating that they can fix the problem. They sounded like they have made a mistake and they would do something to resolve it.

I fixed an appointment with the senior service manager at Pratham Motors.
I want there and the senior service manager took a long test drive of my car.

I got to attend a meeting now. So i will post another reply later on.

RacerByHeart · 4th August 2008, 22:18

I went to Pratham motors and the person there seemed to be very humble initially.
We went for a long test drive. He kept on explaining things. I kept on telling him that I know how a steering works, insipte of that he kept on telling the same stuff again and again. So that he kept me busy from complaining about steering to the left.

I told him that the vehicle pulls to the left side as soon as he leaves the steering. He was very tactful. He left the left the steering wheel when we were in the right most lane on a right turn. The turning was banked and the car went to the right side. he showed to me. I told him that it went to the right side because the road was banked and due to it, the car went to the right. He said that is the whole point, all roads in India are banked to the left and thats the reason why the car pulls to the left.

I did not agree to this. He was not ready to agree that it was a problem with the car. When he ran out of reasons, he started that all this is due to the alloys and tyres that I put. The stock car will pull a little to the left or right, but because I have put 205 size tyres the problem increases and the pull also increases.

Team bhpians, could you please tell me if, it is true?

I still did not agree. Then he took a stock car and we went for a drive. This guy who thought he was smart, left the steering of the stock car when there was a left turn. I even kinda noticed him trying to push the steering so that this car goes to the left.

After all this he explained to me that this problem exists in all cars as Indian roads are not good. I did not agree and told him that I drive other cars, but other cars dont pull to the left.

When he was bent on not listening, I thought that I had come to the wrong place, hoping that they would fix the issue. I have to get the problem fixed else where. 1 week after I came back from there, Pratham motors called me up and asked me if I was satisfied and can they close the issue.

I told them that I would give the car to another authorised dealer. If they are also not able to fix it, then I can agree that it is normal. If they fix it, it will be Pratham motors problem.

The bottom line is that I spent 5.7 Laks on the car and another 40k on the alloys and tyres, only to get a car which can not go straight. I would never again go to Pratham Motors again.

Jaggu · 4th August 2008, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerByHeart

When he ran out of reasons, he started that all this is due to the alloys and tyres that I put. The stock car will pull a little to the left or right, but because I have put 205 size tyres the problem increases and the pull also increases.

can happen, pcd, tyre threads and badly set alignment after alloys can cause this. take it to madhus alignment near richmond circle and explain the problem before you go experimenting with a dealer.

RacerByHeart · 5th August 2008, 11:59

Thanks,

I will do it this weekend.

tush · 7th August 2008, 00:04

The reply from maruti is very standard. They screw the dealer real bad.

Check typres there would persist the problem... get the alignment checked as per what Jaggu says....

I have learnt a lot from this experience. One thing is what you need to make sure that you know what they are doing to your car. If possible capture in photos what is done and share it with us as i did.

Get in touch with Automobile engineers who can guide you about it. You probably require a chassis, suspension, steering specialisation Automobile engineer. Because this issue really requires an expert advice. Dont just blindly trust the dealership. Go to other Maruti dealers their engineers might have the right approach to the problem. Consultation with experts will give you more close idea and help you get the issue resolved.

I have also heard that mostly all Diesel cars experience this problem.

23rd June 2008, 10:40	#76
RacerByHeart BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Doha/Bangalore Posts: 43 Thanked: 33 Times	@ tush Its not from the alloy wheels as the problem was there before I changed the OE rims and tyres. I used the OE tyres for about 120 km before changing. My car also pulls to the left if I leave the steering for 2-3 seconds. I am sure its not due to banking of the road. I have tested it on a lot of roads. I did 160 on it last weekend at the NICE road. When i cross 140 the steering started to vibrate. Do u have this problem? Pratham motors person told me that they have this problem in all swift diesels. This time I will ask them to give it to me in writing that this problem exists in all cars. So that I have written proof. One way you could solve your problem would be test another car. Test drive another Swift diesel.
	() Thanks

27th June 2008, 15:58	#77
tush BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 331 Thanked: 12 Times	@ RacerByHeart - I have never gone above 120Kmh as never had a chance. I test drew Dezire just to check if it has the similar problem. It was a ZDI variant. The car maintained the Straight Road and the steering did had a tendency of rotating left only if the left wheel goes through a rough surface, thats the only time the steering rotated left. This weekend i am going to test drive a Swift Diesel. Lets see how it fairs... I am not sure if ABS has to do something with it as my car is an ABS variant. Can you let us know what all is being done with your car till date to resolve this issue. Last edited by tush : 27th June 2008 at 16:00.
	() Thanks

7th July 2008, 02:27	#78
tush BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 331 Thanked: 12 Times	Bhpians need suggestion. I confirmed from other maruti dealers that there is no internal circular to adjust the cross member and the cross member cannot be adjusted. If at all they feel such modification is required they first consult Maruti and once they get a go ahead from Maruti only then they would do it. Now since my dealer has adjusted the cross member by grinding the holes of the cross member which is a sort of modification, how should i approach with this issue to the dealer. They had not even informed me before doing such modification and still the issue persists. What should i ask them for now ? Totally confused guys.
	() Thanks

7th July 2008, 11:29	#79
RacerByHeart BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Doha/Bangalore Posts: 43 Thanked: 33 Times	@tush I have not done anything yet. I will be going to a place near South End circle in Bangalore to get it fixed. I will let you know once it it done.
	() Thanks

8th July 2008, 23:23	#80
cyneverdie BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: bombay Posts: 440 Thanked: 6 Times	Any updates people ??
	() Thanks

28th July 2008, 02:30	#81
tush BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 331 Thanked: 12 Times	People can anyone tell where can i get an expert opinion regarding swift in Pune. Any well known garage engineer who can tell what modifications connected to this issue to the car could cause what effect on it and if that modication is advisable. Its urgent any help would be highly appreciated.
	() Thanks

1st August 2008, 19:09	#82
tush BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 331 Thanked: 12 Times	Hello Friends, This is the current situation of my car issue. The Dealership told me that they had modified the cross member by increasing the diameter of the whole by the process of griding, and they have not modified anything else in my car. When i objected to such modification without taking my consent they agreed to replace the cross member with a new one as it was their mistake. The day came when they called me for replacement of cross member i insisted them that i would stay infront when its done. They agreed. While they removed the cross member i asked him where is the whole that they increased the diameter of. They said Sir the whole was not grinded just the side of it was filed. The actual modification is done to your chassis. He showed me that the whole on the chassis was grinded for them to able to shift the cross member from its original location to right to resolve left pulling. I was shocked. They had lied me. I told them to stop the work and keep the car with them. They should have not done such modification without my and Maruti engineers consent. My car is no more like a new car. People i have asked them to give me a replacement with a new chassis or a new car. I want technical suggestions from your side. What impact such change could cause on my car. Are they suppose to do such modification which is irreversible and touches the basic design of a car that has done only around 5000 Kms. Thanks in advance. Last edited by Jaggu : 29th October 2008 at 18:06. Reason: As requested
	() Thanks

2nd August 2008, 03:27	#84
cyneverdie BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: bombay Posts: 440 Thanked: 6 Times	WOW ! Well done & good luck man. Keep us updated
	() Thanks

2nd August 2008, 16:53	#85
tush BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 331 Thanked: 12 Times	Yes i will definetly keep you all updated. I am really hoping to get some technical advise from some one in team bhp who is aware or has knowledge of this. I might get alone in this fight with the dealer that is what seems to be worring me. Maruti is always gonna support the dealer as dealer gives them big sales.
	() Thanks

4th August 2008, 20:11	#86
RacerByHeart BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Doha/Bangalore Posts: 43 Thanked: 33 Times	@ tush. I had gone to a wheel alignment center to get my car fixed. As my tyres as Unidirectional, we swapped the front left tyre and rear left tyre. It did not solve the problem. The person who was testing the car said that wheel alignment has to be done again. He also suggested the I might lose the company guarentee that comes with the car if I get it repair from a place which is not an authorised service center. As he suggested, I did not get the wheel alignment done from there. I had already written a letter to Maruti. I wrote a letter to Maruti Suzuki again about this problem. The letter was: Dear Sir, This is the second letter I am writting to maruti Suzuki, regarding the same problem. I did not get a reply for the first mail. I bought my Swift VDI from Pratham Motors on 8th may 2008. Pratham motors did not allow me to take a test drive of the car before delivery of the car. After I took the delivery of the car, I noticed that the car has a tendency to pull to the left side. This issue was reported when the car under went the first free service at Pratham motors. Pratham motors gave me a wheel alignment report stating that the wheel alignment was done, however it did not solve the problem. When I asked them about it again, Pratham motors told me that this problem exists in all Swift Diesel cars. Could you please confirm if the problem really exists in all the Swift Diesels. Its been a long time since Swift Diesel has been introduced by Maruti Suzuki and I can't believe such a simple issue has not been fixed. I also own a 2006 model Wagon R, which does not have any issue like this. It has been a very bad experience and because of this I would not be recommending people to go for your cars. I would also request Maruti Suzuki to provide sufficeint training to the Service centre people so that defects can be corrected before delivery of the car or during servicing of the car. Regards, This is the reply I got. Please include the following line in all replies. Tracking number: HT20080722_0000000045 Dear Sir, Thank you for the e-mail. We value you as esteem Maruti family member and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to you. We request you to kindly let us know the location or the Delaer code of the Maruti Authorised Service Station or Dealer whom you contacted for the issue. 0205 01 PRATHAM MOTORS 16, BALLANDUR SARJAPUR RING ROAD BANGALORE-560037 0205 02 PRATHAM MOTORS STHANIKAM'S ARCADE OPP. ST THERESA HOSPITAL DR. RAJKUMAR ROAD, A BLOCK RAJAJINAGAR 2 STAGE, BANGALORE-560010 This will help us to resolve your issue at the earliest. Please feel free to revert in case of any query or clarification. Regards, ANY TIME MARUTI (Call- 9910202020 or Toll Free-1800 1800 180) International Toll Free Numbers: 1866 527 5698 (From USA and Canada) 0800 0852247 (From UK) Please Visit us at <<Maruti Suzuki official site I answered the their query about the car dealer. Pratham motors, Bellandur, bangalore. I did this at 11 in the morning. At 1 o'clock I got a call from Pratham motors stating that they can fix the problem. They sounded like they have made a mistake and they would do something to resolve it. I fixed an appointment with the senior service manager at Pratham Motors. I want there and the senior service manager took a long test drive of my car. I got to attend a meeting now. So i will post another reply later on.
	() Thanks

4th August 2008, 22:18	#87
RacerByHeart BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Doha/Bangalore Posts: 43 Thanked: 33 Times	I went to Pratham motors and the person there seemed to be very humble initially. We went for a long test drive. He kept on explaining things. I kept on telling him that I know how a steering works, insipte of that he kept on telling the same stuff again and again. So that he kept me busy from complaining about steering to the left. I told him that the vehicle pulls to the left side as soon as he leaves the steering. He was very tactful. He left the left the steering wheel when we were in the right most lane on a right turn. The turning was banked and the car went to the right side. he showed to me. I told him that it went to the right side because the road was banked and due to it, the car went to the right. He said that is the whole point, all roads in India are banked to the left and thats the reason why the car pulls to the left. I did not agree to this. He was not ready to agree that it was a problem with the car. When he ran out of reasons, he started that all this is due to the alloys and tyres that I put. The stock car will pull a little to the left or right, but because I have put 205 size tyres the problem increases and the pull also increases. Team bhpians, could you please tell me if, it is true? I still did not agree. Then he took a stock car and we went for a drive. This guy who thought he was smart, left the steering of the stock car when there was a left turn. I even kinda noticed him trying to push the steering so that this car goes to the left. After all this he explained to me that this problem exists in all cars as Indian roads are not good. I did not agree and told him that I drive other cars, but other cars dont pull to the left. When he was bent on not listening, I thought that I had come to the wrong place, hoping that they would fix the issue. I have to get the problem fixed else where. 1 week after I came back from there, Pratham motors called me up and asked me if I was satisfied and can they close the issue. I told them that I would give the car to another authorised dealer. If they are also not able to fix it, then I can agree that it is normal. If they fix it, it will be Pratham motors problem. The bottom line is that I spent 5.7 Laks on the car and another 40k on the alloys and tyres, only to get a car which can not go straight. I would never again go to Pratham Motors again.
	() Thanks

5th August 2008, 11:59	#89
RacerByHeart BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Doha/Bangalore Posts: 43 Thanked: 33 Times	Thanks, I will do it this weekend.
	() Thanks

7th August 2008, 00:04	#90
tush BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 331 Thanked: 12 Times	The reply from maruti is very standard. They screw the dealer real bad. Check typres there would persist the problem... get the alignment checked as per what Jaggu says.... I have learnt a lot from this experience. One thing is what you need to make sure that you know what they are doing to your car. If possible capture in photos what is done and share it with us as i did. Get in touch with Automobile engineers who can guide you about it. You probably require a chassis, suspension, steering specialisation Automobile engineer. Because this issue really requires an expert advice. Dont just blindly trust the dealership. Go to other Maruti dealers their engineers might have the right approach to the problem. Consultation with experts will give you more close idea and help you get the issue resolved. I have also heard that mostly all Diesel cars experience this problem. Last edited by tush : 7th August 2008 at 00:10.
	() Thanks