Why car pulls to the right

And now, that might actually be happening. Finish reading What's coming with the Apple Car? Toggle Navigation. Monday, October 1, T Vehicle Safety Information Get up-to-date vehicle and car seat safety information. Vehicle Recalls. Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations. Zip Code. Finally heading out on a road trip?

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 20 seconds. Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 9 seconds. Driving a car that pulls to the left or right can be distracting, frustrating and tiring as you try to keep it travelling in a straight line. There are a number of reasons for a vehicle to pull to one side, including everything from an underinflated tyre to failed suspension parts. Before any work is done, it's important to identify when the pulling happens:.

By figuring out when the vehicle starts to pull to the left or right, possible causes can be investigated and potential solutions can be put in place. Common reasons for a car to constantly pull to one side while driving are uneven tyre pressure and improper wheel alignment. Fixing a car pulling to the left or right could be as simple as putting more air into a tyre or letting some air out. Under- or over-inflated tyres can affect the way your car leans and subsequently have an impact on the vehicle's alignment.

In addition, an underinflated tyre has more rolling resistance, making the pull more noticeable. If you don't know what the correct tyre pressure is for your car, or you're unsure how to check the tyre pressure, we've put together a comprehensive tyre pressure guide.

As soon as you notice your car pulling to one side, the first thing you should do is check the tyre pressure. If the car is still veering to the left or right, something else is causing the issue.

The most common reason for a car pulling to one side is incorrect wheel alignment. If this is the case, when you release the steering wheel, the car will drift in one direction and the steering wheel is unlikely to return to its normal position.

In addition, if you inspect your tyres, you're likely to notice uneven tread wear. Your car's wheel alignment can be altered by driving over a pothole or hitting the kerb; however, sometimes it slowly skews to one side over time. The wheel alignment process involves a technician adjusting the wheels, tyres and suspension back to the manufacturer's settings using specialist alignment technology and tools.

You can choose to have either a 2 or 4 wheel alignment. As the names suggest, a 2 wheel alignment only focuses on two wheels, whereas a 4 wheel alignment will correct both front and rear axles and ensure the vehicle's stability. Here at Dowleys, we offer both 2 and 4 wheel alignment , but would always recommend having all four wheels correctly aligned to prevent any potential issues from incorrect rear axle alignment.

Unfortunately, getting the car's wheels re-aligned with the correct tyre pressure won't always solve the issue of it pulling to the left or right.

If you still experience pulling, the technician might not have taken the road 'crown' into account. You may have to install a limited slip differential LSD , track bars, intermediate drive shaft, or repair several other components. A loose, deteriorated, or weak tie rod end is another reason why a car pulls to the right when taking a turn. The wild shaking of the wheel will be a regular occurrence when the condition gets worse.

The newer vehicles use a rack-and-pinion system instead of a steering box. A steering linkage can be damaged for an array of reasons. Taking the car to a servicing shop is the best way to diagnose the root cause and do the repair.

The bearings are crucial to the smooth rotation of the wheel. When one of them wears out, the car will show multiple warning signs and pulling to one side is one of them. Repairing a wheel bearing is a complicated process. You must take professional help to fix this issue. The suspension is likely to give up at some point. There are several parts including ball joints, control arms, struts, shocks, and bushings that can wear out over time. The deteriorated components will make the vehicle move one side at the time of braking.

Suspension parts show signs of wear over a long period of time. So, you may not be aware of the problem unless any part is damaged or broken. Step One: Get to Know the Issue If you find your car pulling to one side, your first step should be to clarify the nature of the pull. Step Two: Check Tire Pressure Improper tire pressure is one of the top reasons a car might feel like it's pulling to one side.

Step Three: Ask Yourself About Alignment If you're sure your tires measure in at the recommended tire pressure, ask yourself, "When's the last time I had my wheels aligned? Step Four: Get A Complete Vehicle Inspection Performed If you find your car pulling to one side while braking and you know your tires are at their recommended pressure levels after an alignment, you may be dealing with a sticking brake caliper or restricted brake line.

Firestone Complete Auto Care Can Help Keep Your Car Steady There are several other possible causes of a vehicle pulling to the side, including a bad wheel bearing, worn steering linkage, an uncalibrated steering angle sensor, or a worn tie rod — all of which are difficult to diagnose on your own and could be dangerous if left unattended.

Up Next. So, you've hit a pothole, and now it feels like your alignment is off! It may not be your imagination. Learn how potholes can affect your vehicle's alignment.

Modern vehicles are equipped with all kinds of smart features. To keep these features working as they should, your vehicle may require a special alignment. Find Store.