when i bought my 96 850R a couple weeks ago,
it pulled slightly to the right - ie: the steering wheel felt more
comfortably centered when the car was drifting toward the right,
rather than moving in a straight line. To keep it in a straight line
i must hold downward on the left side of the wheel. It's annoying.
I thought all i'd need was an alignment/rotation/balance,
but now that i've had that work done, it still pulls to the right!!!
The tire pressures (205-45-17) are 32-33psi in the front, which is
within volvo's specified range. The wheels are wearing Kumho Ecsta
supra 712s, with probably 8-10k mi left on their tread.
What could be causing this?? It's pretty frustrating that I sold my BMW
because it ate tons of money.....
and in two weeks of having the 850R my A/C needs a recharge,
the alignment/rotation/balance, odometer failure.... geez...

I love it though

-tim 850R

I had a similar problem when I got new Bridgestone Potenza SO-3's, it turned out that I had a defective tire with a slipping belt. When I rotated the fronts to the rear it drove striaght. I just got 2 new tires and have no problems now.

You got rid of a BMW and bought and 850R to save money????????? You bought the wrong car man!! They're fun, but don't ever think running an 850 will be more cost effective than a BMW.
--
96 850 GLT 5-Speed- Sold due to astronomical repair costs.

1) Either the alignment wasn't a 4 wheel alignment (THE correct way these days) and maybe you then have a rear wheel alignment problem?

2) If tires, you can prove that by rotating the tires from right to left (both front and rear if need be) and if it then drifts the other way, you'll know that it's tires.

3) and finally, you could have a sticking front brake caliper. If so, one wheel will be very hot after driving and if you lift the front wheels off the ground (using floor jack), one wheel won't turn. When they stick, it's usually after a bit of driving, braking.

1) make sure it's only the toe-in that's off..if u have camber problems...u need a new rear end...

I also have an 850R and have experienced this after wheel alignment with worn tires. You indicated that the tires have another 10k or so left, I would recommend that you check the alignment after new tires are installed.

Tim,
See my posts at:http://63.231.247.29/AWD/index.htm?id=642010
I have the same problem. PLEASE, Please, let me know if you find a solution. I like the car but the pulling to the right makes me mad.
--
Leon Ramseur in NC, 1997 855, 1995 945, 1990 760, 1990 740 & 1990 745. 90 740 & 745 FOR SALE.

I used those same tires on my 97 850-R.

I'd be willing to bet that your problem is partly the tires and partly the road. Let me explain, if you drive on roads that are grooved from too many trucks or too much car traffic, then the car will pull to one side or the other depending on which side of the cup your tire is on.

Tires with this low profile will pull when you drive over grooved roads--they won't do this on brand new surface that has yet to be indented by tire traffic.

Khumos from my experience aren't the best tire. They wear fast on the outside and don't keep a balance.

Yeah the kumhos are alright in terms of grip
but i'm not convinced they are the best either.
I had bridgestone potenza RE70s and RE730s and I hated
both of those too. I have about 8-10k mi left on the kumhos
so i think i will wear them out and replace with the highly
acclaimed yokos that come in the rare 205-45-17 size

-tim 850R