What are the reasons for a car pulling to one side?
3 Answers
Specific reasons for a car pulling to one side are as follows: 1. Uneven tire pressure on the left and right sides. This is the most common cause of steering pull. Normally, the front and rear tire pressure is around 2.0-2.5. During driving, uneven contact area and force distribution between the left and right tires can lead to inconsistent tire pressure, causing the car to pull towards the side with lower tire pressure. 2. Uneven tread wear on the left and right tires. Differences in steering and road contact can cause uneven tire wear. When one side's tread is excessively worn, its diameter becomes smaller, making the car pull towards that side. 3. Different degrees of metal fatigue in the shock absorber springs. Uneven spring travel on both sides, with one higher and the other lower, results in an unleveled car body, leading to vehicle pull.
When the car pulls to one side while driving, it is commonly caused by incorrect front wheel alignment, such as uneven toe angle; unbalanced tire pressure can pull the car, with higher pressure on the left causing a left pull; damage to the suspension system, such as worn shock absorbers or ball joints, can make the steering wheel unstable; or brake drag, where the brakes are too tight and cause the car to pull. I recommend first checking if the tire pressure is even, then visiting a repair shop for an alignment. Delaying repairs can lead to rapid tire wear, significant safety hazards, and potential accidents.
My old car also had a steering pull issue, drifting to the right while driving. At first, I thought it was due to uneven road surfaces. Later, it was diagnosed as low tire pressure in the left front tire, uneven tire wear, or aging. There was also misalignment, incorrect toe settings causing the wheels to be off-center; and loose suspension components like deformed control arms, leading to unstable handling. That time, I fixed it by replacing the tires and adjusting the tire pressure. Don't delay too long, as it affects fuel efficiency and comfort, making driving more strenuous.
