Can bad sway bar bushings cause pull to one side?

[fblainen11]

I've got a pull on my steering wheel. Have to turn my steering wheel to the left to keep going straight. I had it aligned last year and I think maybe I got a bad alignment.... But while I was under looking around this weekend I noticed the bushings are in bad shape.

Can this cause the steering to pull? I've read others had a similar issue with the pull and it ended up being LCA bushings.

 

[isdriven]

No, sway bars are not part of the steering system and will not affect alignment(unless a bar is bent).

How long has it been since your last alignment? Make sure you are running even tire pressures and all 4 tires.

 

[fblainen11]

Yea, tire pressure is fine. And I stated it has been less than a year since last alignment.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Check all your control arm bushings (even the rears), Inner & Outer tie-rod ends and either do a brake service yourself or have a trusted mechanic do a brake service.

They should be able to tell you if you have a seized caliper or something which could be causing the pull.

Or take it for a little drive and compare the temperature of each wheel/rim. If one of them seems hotter than the other, that could be a sign of a sticky caliper/drum

 

[fblainen11]

Just did TBU about two weeks ago. This problem is the same before as it was after. Had rear brakes inspected and was told they were working fine by brake specialists.

I think it is either alignment or suspension. I'll check the joints. Just replaced steering rack bushings thinking that may have been the source. Didn't realize I had to move rack to remove LCAs or I would have waited....