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16 May 2024 Car pulls to one side: causes and problems
Does your car’s steering system seem to have a mind of its own? Is the vehicle veering to one side even though you are steering straight? This blog aims to explain the common causes of this phenomenon to help you identify the problem and find its solution. Understanding the factors behind this is for maintaining both the vehicle’s handling performance and steering control for your safety.
Why is your car pulling to one side?
The issues that cause this usually fall under one of the following three categories:
Improper wheel alignment
One of the most common explanations for why a car is pulling to the left or right is that the wheels are not properly aligned. If the vehicle pulls to one side when you let go of the steering wheel, it is more than likely that the alignment is off. Upon inspecting the wheels and tyres, you may notice that the tread of the tyres has worn unevenly. Sometimes the car wheels are knocked out of alignment by something as simple as driving over a pothole or going into the kerb.
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If this is the case for you, you should get a professional to readjust the angles of the wheels accordingly. You can either choose to get the wheels on one axle aligned or to have a four-wheel alignment. It’s generally recommended to do all four at once to prevent the need for further adjustments in the near future.
In addition, when removing and installing wheels for routine repairs and replacements, you should always make sure that they are properly secured by the car wheel bolts and nuts as ‘looseness’ may also affect steering. It is generally recommended to use a torque wrench when tightening the fasteners.
Uneven tyre pressures
The air pressure in your tyres can fluctuate for a wide range of reasons. For example, tyre pressure may increase or decrease slightly with changes in the air temperature. Sometimes the air leaks out of the tyres due to small punctures or damaged valves. When the air pressure is not even across all four tyres, it may negatively impact the car’s alignment as the height and rolling resistance of the tyres will consequently be uneven, causing the vehicle to pull towards or away from one side.
It’s advisable to check your tyre pressures on a regular basis to ensure that they match the recommended pressures specified by the vehicle manufacturer, particularly before long car journeys. It is also a good idea to get reliable tyres with high protection against punctures, such as Continental tyres.
Faulty suspension or steering
In some cases, this problem has nothing to do with the wheels or tyres but is actually caused by issues with the steering or suspension system. Key suspension components, such as the ball joints, control arms and bushings, are worn down over time, which can cause them to shift position and potentially change the position of the wheels.
If there are problems with the car steering system, such as damaged tie rod ends, linkages or gears, it can become difficult to control the vehicle with the steering wheel. As a result of steering or suspension faults, you may experience what is known as ‘torque steer’. This is when the vehicle pulls to one side during acceleration. It’s typically the result of worn or loose parts.
Another potential consequence is ‘memory steer’. This is the term used to describe when a car is pulling in the direction of the previous turn.
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What should you do if your vehicle pulls to one side when you use the brakes?
If your car only pulls to one side when braking, it is likely due to a fault in the braking system, such as a seized caliper piston or damaged brake hose. In your conventional hydraulic system, a hydraulic fluid is forced through the system by the cylinders to actuate the brake calipers which, in turn, push the brake pads against the brake discs.
If one of the calipers gets stuck, it could result in uneven brake pad wear and added friction while driving due to constant or partial contact between the brake components. A seized caliper could cause the car to pull to the same side as the affected brake. Ensuring that the caliper slide pins are well lubricated could prevent the parts from seizing up in the first place.
If the brake pads are worn unevenly, it is recommended that you replace all of them at the same time to ensure that braking forces are evenly distributed. To find compatible replacement parts online, simply use relevant keywords, e.g. “BMW brake pads”, or, for more accurate results, enter specific data such as the VIN or OE part number.
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