What does it feel like when your car pulls to the right or left while driving? Frustrating, right? It can be dangerous because having your car pull to the side means you lose control on a tricky road. It’s hard to concentrate on driving when you’re in a tug-of-war to keep your car in a straight line.
Constantly applying pressure to the steering wheel is tiring. Plus, it’s not fun to drive. Various components of your car, including your tires, take the brunt of the impact when your steering wheel pulls to the right while driving. There are quite a few things that can cause this problem. Let’s find these reasons why your car pulls to the side while driving:
Uneven Tire Pressure
The first thing you should check when your car pulls to the right is your tire pressure. For example, the height of the vehicle will not be proportional if the tires on one side of the car are underinflated, there will be a roll. Low tire pressure increases the resistance to movement, which leads to the problem of displacement and premature wear of the tires. The created overstress causes the car to pull to the side.
How to fix this? Measure the pressure with a tire pressure gauge and inflate all tires to the required PSI value. It is important that the pressure in all tires is the same. For most passenger cars, the pressure should be between 1.9 and 2.3 atmospheres.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Poor wheel alignment can cause the steering wheel of the car to deviate from straight-ahead driving. This is especially true for the rear axle, when one wheel has a negative camber angle and the other has a positive one. Wheel alignment should be done simultaneously with working on the wheels and suspension. Then the handling of your car will always be at the proper level and the rubber will not wear out prematurely.
Uneven wear of the tire tread is another indication of this problem. If you delay solving the problem, it can lead to more serious problems.
How to fix it? Get a high-quality, professional wheel alignment on modern equipment.
Brake system malfunction
Complications in the brake system, including a stuck brake caliper, dry sliding pins and a broken brake hose, can create a problem with the car pulling to one side. A stuck caliper is the most common of all issues. Calipers apply pressure to the brake pads, consuming energy from the hydraulic brake system. They are critical in stopping the car after you press the brake pedal. The car will pull to one side if one of them is not functioning properly.
How to fix it? The effective braking system is crucial to driving safety. It is necessary to urgently contact a professional mechanic at the nearest auto repair shop.
Engine Torque
The car pulls to the side when the engine torque affects the steering. A front-wheel drive (FWD) car pulls to the right when accelerating when the steering wheel is turned. There may be several causes: a loose steering component, a faulty lower control arm bushing, a damaged engine mount, a flexible tie rod, or excessive movement in the ball joint.
How to fix it? Since several components can be to blame for this problem, it is best to take the car to a repair shop. You may need to install a limited slip differential (LSD), slide rails, intermediate drive shaft, or repair other components.
Worn Tie Rod or Ends
A loose, worn, or weak tie rod end is another reason why your car pulls to one side. As the condition worsens, severe wheel shaking will be common. Newer cars use a rack and pinion system instead of a box steering system.
How to Fix It? A tie rod can become damaged for a number of reasons. Taking your car to a service station is the best way to diagnose the root cause and make repairs.
Worn Wheel Bearing
Bearings are critical to keeping your wheel turning smoothly. When one of them wears out, a characteristic knocking or grinding noise appears in the area where the bearing is worn out. The smoothness of the ride will be disrupted and the car will begin to pull to the side.
How to fix it? Repairing a wheel bearing is a complex process. You should seek professional help from a car service center to solve this problem.
Wear of suspension components
The suspension will wear out sooner or later. There are several components, including ball joints, control arms, struts, shock absorbers and bushings, that can wear out over time. Worn components will cause the car to move to the side during braking. Suspension parts show signs of wear over a long period of time. So, you may not know about the problem if any part is not damaged or broken.
How to fix it?Again, you need to seek professional help because the suspension is vital to the safety system of the vehicle. Regular annual checks will save you from the surprise of suddenly broken or damaged suspension parts.
REMEMBER: You can always contact our car service, where your car will be gladly provided with professional technical assistance. You can also sign up for a scheduled technical inspection with us! Please familiarize yourself with our services for car repair and diagnostics.
,
VEBER-AUTO car service
194044, St. Petersburg
Neyshlotskiy pereulok, house 5, building 3
District: Vyborgsky
Metro: Vyborgskaya – 800 m.
,
Seven days a week, from 9:00 to 21:00.
,
sto@veberauto.ru
,
8 (812) 321-00-00