CX9 pull /drift

Daghef_cx9 · 07-05-2007, 03:40 PM

Just bought a CX9. After few days of driving it on the highway we noticed it is drifting to the left. Went to the dealer who verified the drift. Swapped the two front tires and now car seems to be ok. Just as it is stated in the TB. I don't know why swapping the two front tires fixed it since I think and expect all 4 tires are the same. The question is will I have the problem when I have the tires rotated? To be seen.

Mindcore · 07-05-2007, 03:54 PM

In my opinion ya, I think you could have the problem come back when you have the tires rotated. All the rims and tires should be the same, and balanced accordingly, I'm thinking that it may have something to do with eneven tire wear, and that as you put on more mileage that problem will occur until you swap the tires again.

If it were me, I'd leave it be and see if that happens over the next couple months. If the problem is mysteriously gone, great.. if not, then there is a suspension / alignment issue that needs to be adressed.

spgrundw · 07-09-2007, 06:59 PM

I purchased a CX-9 in April and have had the drift to the left problem. I was told by the dealer that it was a tire pressure issue, which became an alignment issue when correcting the tire pressure didn't work. Now, the alignment hasn't worked. I'm supposed to take the service manager for a drive tomorrow to prove that it still drifts to the left. He has already told me that their isn't anything further he can do. Any suggestions on other possible causes for the problem? Thanks.

KevinRX7 · 07-09-2007, 07:05 PM

Take a look at this TSB again Steering Pull / Drift

My first thought, considering that a wheel swap or alignment didn't work would be either a damaged, or loose A-Arm, or too much play in the bearing.

I just looked at the TSB and see those are listed as potential fixes.

SP, if your dealer is telling you that after an alignment there is nothing they can do, do NOT take that for an answer. There is plenty more then can do to rectify the problem. And considering they get paid to figure it out, they best take care of it.

netboy4007 · 12-13-2007, 08:46 PM

In October I purchased a 2007 CX9 GT 2WD. With the exception of one problem, I’ve been very satisfied with my CX9. The CX9 styling is stunning and the overall performance and responsiveness is exceptional for this type of vehicle.

However, I do have one major problem with my CX9 that I want to share with this forum. The problem has to do with steering pull...this vehicle pulls to the left during normal highway driving (between 45 and 60 MPH). Initially, I though the pull was possibly caused by road crown or maybe incorrect tire pressure. This was not the case. I have taken my car back to the dealership twice to correct this problem...the second time the dealership completed all 11 steps of the Mazda Service Bulletin (#02-003/07) that addresses this problem. The dealership still has not been able to correct the steering pull...even after a front-end alignment. Having to maintain constant pressure on the steering wheel can be very tiring (especially on long trips), not to mention hard on the tires and reduced fuel economy.

Anyway, after several phone calls (and emails) to Mazda USA and discussions with various local and regional service managers, I was informed today that Madza has added several more steps to its Service Bulletin #02-003/07. The extra steps involve repositioning the front shock absorbers. I'm taking my car in to the Dealership next week to have the work done and hopefully, this should solve the problem. After the service work, I will let everyone know if this corrects the steering problem.

Mindcore · 12-20-2007, 11:01 AM

Please let us know if it fixed the problem, a lot of people are having this problem.

Also if you could give a blow by blow of what was fixed to correct the problem, that would be awesome.

Thanks!

TSXKid · 06-27-2008, 03:56 PM

Folks.. a brand new 2007 CX-9 owner here!

This is one Incredible machine!!

Pull/Drift: I've read about it - 1st thing I did after delivery is check..

Result: steering off center by less than 1mm.. If you didn't look for it, you'd never notice (and you'd probably have to be cross-eyed to see it - lol). In other words, there is an extremely forgivable p/d..

At what point should this be considered an issue??

Thanks,

TSXkid

netboy4007 - do you have an update??

07-05-2007, 03:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Daghef_cx9 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3	CX9 pull /drift Just bought a CX9. After few days of driving it on the highway we noticed it is drifting to the left. Went to the dealer who verified the drift. Swapped the two front tires and now car seems to be ok. Just as it is stated in the TB. I don't know why swapping the two front tires fixed it since I think and expect all 4 tires are the same. The question is will I have the problem when I have the tires rotated? To be seen.

07-05-2007, 03:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mindcore Administrator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Look Out!!! Posts: 1,297	In my opinion ya, I think you could have the problem come back when you have the tires rotated. All the rims and tires should be the same, and balanced accordingly, I'm thinking that it may have something to do with eneven tire wear, and that as you put on more mileage that problem will occur until you swap the tires again. If it were me, I'd leave it be and see if that happens over the next couple months. If the problem is mysteriously gone, great.. if not, then there is a suspension / alignment issue that needs to be adressed. __________________ core Mazda Forums .

12-13-2007, 08:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
netboy4007 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1	CX-9 Steering Pull to the Left In October I purchased a 2007 CX9 GT 2WD. With the exception of one problem, I’ve been very satisfied with my CX9. The CX9 styling is stunning and the overall performance and responsiveness is exceptional for this type of vehicle. However, I do have one major problem with my CX9 that I want to share with this forum. The problem has to do with steering pull...this vehicle pulls to the left during normal highway driving (between 45 and 60 MPH). Initially, I though the pull was possibly caused by road crown or maybe incorrect tire pressure. This was not the case. I have taken my car back to the dealership twice to correct this problem...the second time the dealership completed all 11 steps of the Mazda Service Bulletin (#02-003/07) that addresses this problem. The dealership still has not been able to correct the steering pull...even after a front-end alignment. Having to maintain constant pressure on the steering wheel can be very tiring (especially on long trips), not to mention hard on the tires and reduced fuel economy. Anyway, after several phone calls (and emails) to Mazda USA and discussions with various local and regional service managers, I was informed today that Madza has added several more steps to its Service Bulletin #02-003/07. The extra steps involve repositioning the front shock absorbers. I'm taking my car in to the Dealership next week to have the work done and hopefully, this should solve the problem. After the service work, I will let everyone know if this corrects the steering problem.

12-20-2007, 11:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mindcore Administrator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Look Out!!! Posts: 1,297	Please let us know if it fixed the problem, a lot of people are having this problem. Also if you could give a blow by blow of what was fixed to correct the problem, that would be awesome. Thanks! __________________ core Mazda Forums .

06-27-2008, 03:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
TSXKid Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	Pull / Drift Folks.. a brand new 2007 CX-9 owner here! This is one Incredible machine!! Pull/Drift: I've read about it - 1st thing I did after delivery is check.. Result: steering off center by less than 1mm.. If you didn't look for it, you'd never notice (and you'd probably have to be cross-eyed to see it - lol). In other words, there is an extremely forgivable p/d.. At what point should this be considered an issue?? Thanks, TSXkid netboy4007 - do you have an update??

07-09-2007, 06:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
spgrundw Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	I purchased a CX-9 in April and have had the drift to the left problem. I was told by the dealer that it was a tire pressure issue, which became an alignment issue when correcting the tire pressure didn't work. Now, the alignment hasn't worked. I'm supposed to take the service manager for a drive tomorrow to prove that it still drifts to the left. He has already told me that their isn't anything further he can do. Any suggestions on other possible causes for the problem? Thanks.

07-09-2007, 07:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
KevinRX7 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 132	Take a look at this TSB again Steering Pull / Drift My first thought, considering that a wheel swap or alignment didn't work would be either a damaged, or loose A-Arm, or too much play in the bearing. I just looked at the TSB and see those are listed as potential fixes. SP, if your dealer is telling you that after an alignment there is nothing they can do, do NOT take that for an answer. There is plenty more then can do to rectify the problem. And considering they get paid to figure it out, they best take care of it.

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