Losing the steering wheel control can become a safety hazard. Especially on long road trips, a car pulling to one side can be frustrating and dangerous. Several factors contribute to the car pulling towards the left or right side.
The crucial reasons behind a car pulling towards one side are wheel alignment issues or uneven tyre pressure. Also, it can be due to damaged bearings or suspension parts. With several reasons resulting in cars pulling towards the right or left, it becomes essential to determine the cause and fix the issue.
Let’s go through the causes of a car pulling to one side and learn the possible fixes of the issues.
Causes of a Car Pulling to the Left or Right
Smooth and safe driving on a road trip or coming back home after long office hours is essential. However, when you find your car pulling to one side, it not only gives an extremely unpleasant drive but also leads to safety hazards.
That said, it is essential to determine the problem when the car is pulling towards either side of the road. Let’s go through the causes of this common car issue.
Wheel Alignment
You will always find the vehicle wheels aligned from the front since they are set by automakers to provide optimum performance and balance. However, if the wheel alignment isn’t correct, the car may pull to one side.
Unaligned wheels can lead to multiple issues such as shaking or a hard-to-turn steering wheel. Driving over potholes or curbs can disturb the wheel alignment. As a result, you will have your car pulling to one side. Therefore, it becomes essential to visit a professional mechanic or technician for an accurate wheel alignment.
Uneven Tyre Pressure
Properly inflated tyres are necessary for a smooth drive. Considering that, low air pressure in one of the tyres can also make a car pull to one side. Since most new car models come with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), it becomes easy for the driver to inflate the tyres when the sensor sends an alert.
Furthermore, it is essential to maintain the tyre pressure recommended by the car manufacturer. However, if your car tyres lose pressure consistently, it may be due to the tyre wear or hitting the curbs or potholes.
Bad Wheel Bearings
Wheel axle bearings tend to wear out over time. Once it wears out, you will hear a grinding noise from your car. Then, the steering wheel will start shaking and finally, the car will pull to one side. These all are symptoms of bad wheel bearings and you will need to schedule maintenance to replace them.
Suspension or Steering System Damage
Some suspension and steering system parts can damage over time if not maintained properly. For that reason, you will need to inspect the suspension and steering system in detail if your car pulls to one side but not due to the above reasons.
Different Tread Patterns
Auto manufacturers use different tread pattern types for various tyres and vehicle models. A change as simple as new tyres can create a pull. Speaking of installing a new set or changing car tyre type, manufacturers recommend changing tyres in pairs. For instance, first, replace the rear tyres and then the front.
Car Pulls to One Side When Braking
Possible causes of a car pulling to one side when braking can be bad brake pads or defective brake callipers. Alongside, the above problems, for instance, tyre tread patterns or suspension and steering system damage can lead to a car pulling towards one side.
Damaged or Struck Brake Pad
A bad brake pad can affect the friction provided to the wheels. For that reason, it will hinder braking and may cause a pull towards the left or right side.
Defective Brake Calliper
Brake callipers are another essential component in the braking system. They can become sticky reducing the brake force. That said, bad brake callipers can create a pull sensation in cars.
Car Pulls to One Side While Driving
Accelerating can create a car pull to one side. It can be due to the road slope or damaged components. The following are the causes of a car pulling towards the right or left side while driving.
Misaligned Suspension
To avoid premature suspension damage, it is necessary to have an aligned suspension system. A misaligned suspension system can result in handling issues. Moreover, it can break the radial belts in tyres resulting in a car pull. Nonetheless, you will need new tyres and an alignment to avoid this issue.
Damaged Suspension Components
If you notice your car pulling to one side, the damaged suspension components can be one of the main reasons behind it. For instance, it will cause wheel damage, wear and tear in tyres or problems with struts and shock absorbers.
Torque Steer
In front-wheel drive cars, cars can pull towards one side initially due to the torque steer. That said, torque steer can be due to the following reasons:
- Tie rod with too much slick
- Ball joints with too much movement or a worn-out lower control-arm bushing
- Unequal driveshaft angle
How to fix a Car Pulling to One Side
The car pulled to the right or left side can become the cause of an accident. Besides, these minor car problems can become major issues if ignored. Therefore, you should always check the following components and ensure that they are in proper working condition.
- Ensure the pressure is even in all four tyres
- Check the wheel alignment regularly to avoid the pulling effect
- Schedule steering and suspension maintenance regularly
- Always check that there are no major brake problems to avoid any critical issues
That concludes our guide to the causes and fixes of your car pulling to one side. Moreover, you can find any of these problems to cause car jerks while accelerating or braking. Therefore, if you buy a used car in the UAE, ensure that you take a test drive and identify any such problems to avoid major issues.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog to learn more about various car problems and their fixes.
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