pulling under accel/decel

I was happy to take my new beater home a few days ago, a 1997 Hyundai Accent L 5spd. Two issues when I bought it, first was the wipers werent working which turned out to be a blown fuse. Second is less obvious.

When driving, the car pulls to the left when coasting and to the right when accelerating. Once it picks its side the steering is fairly direct, but during the transitions the steering is fairly sloppy at center. My guesses are either motor mounts or more likely control arm bushings are shot. Both look to be old on visual inspection but nothing blantantly broken. Any other opinions on what could be causing torque steer in a 90hp car? No noises, clunks, etc. its quiet and smooth otherwise. For a $700 car I'm extremely happy so far especially since the a/c works.

you're on the right track. Having you in the car and another person to eyeball the wheels and the motor while you torque it in gear with the e-brake up will verify which is the problem.

I'd check the CV joints but odd that you don't hear noises.

lower control arm bushings. look for excessive wear on inboard shoulders of tires.

My Saturn SW2 did that. It had a VERY rusty subframe that was probably flexing under acceleration.

Could it be that the angle is too far positive? On a coast pulls to the left, but as you accelerate, the right wheel pulls itself to the right? Maybe a simple alignment/replacement of worn parts? Did i just answer a question by asking more than were asked in the first place?

Have you checked the tire pressures? Sometimes it's simple and easy...

I am going to go with bushings too. Definatly have somebody eyeball the wheels when you accelerate. I have witnessed a taurus that had it's driver's side wheel move forward a significant amount pulling away from a light. This was not racing either.. this was behind another car. Soon as he gave it gas, the wheel moved forward as it began a slow accleration

The caster is off side to side. The reason could be worn bushings, etc. at listed above but the base cause of the pull is the difference in caster right side to left side.

My Miata had the same problem and it was a bad upper control arm bushing on the passenger front wheel.

I did check tire pressures after posting this, and all were low (but evenly low). Rides and drives even better now with tires over 15psi lol but is still pulling, just less pronounced. Gotta wait for payday to start wrenching again. Getting a check engine light now, haven't pulled the code yet as I was too busy watching the Ravens beat the snot out of the Steelers and now I'm working on homework on campus. I'll replace the bushings and check into the CEL this week...

Bad control arm bushings or ball joints.

Put 275 A6's on the front. If it doesn't fix it, it will still be fun.

You need to see what is shifting. Tansaxle-emgine mounts most likely. When GM brought out the X cars. The first ones had the steering rack mounted on the body and the drive train on a sub frame. Instant steering. When they put the rack on the sub frame, all was good.

Doing what i suggested will figure it out. Let us know what you find.