What Causes a Car to Pull to One Side When Braking?

[ElizabethLee]

Car pulling to one side when braking can be caused by: 1. Different brands or specifications of brake pads or shoes on each side; 2. Inconsistent friction coefficients between the left and right brake discs or drums; 3. Brake caliper leakage or brake line/connector leakage causing uneven braking force; 4. Excessive wear gap in brake calipers leading to different piston clearances during braking; 5. Air trapped in the brake system or brake lines; 6. Different tire specifications, tread patterns, wear levels, or air pressures on each side; 7. Asymmetrical suspension components including shock absorbers, springs, ball joints, bearings, or improper wheel alignment.

[DanielMarie]

Last time my car's brakes were pulling to one side, and after a long inspection, I found it was due to tire issues. The tire pressure difference between the two sides was too significant, with the left at 2.5 and the right only at 1.8, causing the car to pull to the right when driving. Additionally, the tire treads were unevenly worn, and the front two tires were of different brands, resulting in inconsistent grip. Another time, after hitting a rock, the rear wheel alignment was off, with incorrect camber angles, causing the wheels not to grip vertically when braking. These problems aren't usually noticeable during normal driving but become obvious when braking. It's advisable to use a tire pressure gauge to check all four tires every month. If you notice uneven wear, get a four-wheel alignment immediately. When replacing worn tires, it's safer to change all four at the same time.

[MaliaLee]

I've experienced brake pulling issues before, likely due to suspension problems. Last time when the shock absorber was leaking, the car body would lean towards the softer side, and I could clearly feel the steering being pulled during braking. Also, when the steering tie rod end was loose, there was noticeable play in the steering wheel, causing the car to pull sharply during hard braking. Worn-out ball joint rubber boots can cause the same issue as dirt gets in and damages the connecting parts. It's best to have mechanics lift the car and check for wheel play during every maintenance service - steering system issues should be detected early. Wet weather makes pulling worse because old suspension components deform more when wet, which is very dangerous. Immediate repair is crucial when experiencing brake pulling - don't wait until you lose steering control and cause a rear-end collision.

[McElaina]

Brake pulling is mostly caused by issues in the braking system. Last time with my car, the left front brake caliper was stuck, the piston wasn't moving freely, resulting in uneven braking force on both sides. The right wheel braked normally while the left wheel kept sliding, causing the car to pull to the right. Another issue was uneven brake pad wear, with a thickness difference of three millimeters. The mechanic said it was due to rust on the caliper slide rails. Warped brake rotors are also common, especially after going downhill for a long time and then splashing water on the hot rotors, making the surface uneven. Leaking brake fluid or air in the lines can also cause loss of pressure on one side. It's essential to regularly check the brake fluid condition and the dust boots on the calipers. Don't delay fixing this issue—brake pulling during emergency stops is particularly dangerous.