Noises and Pulls

["TOM VENDITTO" <TomJV@bestweb.net>]

SORRY, SENT TO BOTH GUYS.  NOT SURE WHICH WAS ORIGINAL POST.   TomV       
Original post:
>I have recently noticed a clunking sound coming from the left rear
>of the car when accelerating hard, going over bumps, and when I turn.  I
>believe that this is a worn strut bearing in the left rear.
>OK, now for the question:
>Could a worn strut bearing on just one side cause the car to pull in
>that direction??  In my case, my left rear is worn (I think) and the car
>pulls to the left.  I have checked my alignment at NTB (6 month warranty),
>and they said that my alignment was great (well within' factory specs).
>        Also, how would I go about checking my strut bearing??  I looked
in
>the GTI archives, but it told how to check it while it was on a lift.

Chris said:
 As for the pulling, it may be due to 'radial pull'.  Basically, tires can
wear so that the tread surface becomes slightly cone shaped, as opposed to
cylindrical.  It's common after an alignment or tire rotation to have some
pulling before the tires 'wear in' to the new settings or position.  A way
to check for this is to switch the front tires from side to side and see if
anything changes.  Don't forget to check the tire pressures, too.

Tom goes on. . . 
>the car pulls to the left.  I have checked my alignment...
This happened wifey's Jetta.  I had the car aligned and no dice.  The guy
switched the tires and the "pull" switched from L to R.  I tried many
combos 'til I got tired and purchased new rubber.  Pull gone.  I think this
happened 'cause I was swapping rims for snows and got the L/R's mixed up,
but I'm not sure.  

>I have recently noticed a clunking sound coming from the left rear
As far as noises go, I've also had one behind the driver that may be the
same as yours.  The best thing to do is sit in the back and let someone
else drive(argh!).  I thought mine was the strut as well, but 30 seconds in
the back seat set me straight.  It was coming from the post near the seat
belt.  Another lister had the same prob and the dealer adjusted the seat
belt and it went away.  Another lister had a bad weld in the B post.  Mine
seems to have settled down.  That is, I haven't heard it in a week or so. 
You can also check the exhaust.  This is a classic noise maker.
Stay in touch.
TomV