What Causes a Car to Pull to One Side While Driving?

[Liam]

Here are the reasons why a car may pull to one side: 1. Different tread patterns or uneven tread depth on the two sides: It is best to use the same type of tires for the entire vehicle. At the very least, the two tires on the front axle and the two on the rear axle must be the same, with identical tread depth. Tires exceeding the wear limit must be replaced. 2. Unequal tire pressure on both sides: Unequal tire pressure will cause the tires to become different in size, inevitably leading to pulling to one side while rolling. 3. Deformed front shock absorber springs or inconsistent damping on both sides: The condition of the shock absorber springs can be judged by pressing or comparing after removal. 4. Failed front shock absorbers: After failure, the vehicle's suspension will be uneven in height during driving, resulting in uneven force distribution and causing the car to pull to one side. A dedicated shock absorber tester can be used to measure the absorption rate of the shock absorbers to determine their condition and facilitate timely repairs. 5. Excessive wear or abnormal gaps in the vehicle's chassis components: Common parts prone to excessive gaps include the steering tie rod ball joints, control arm bushings, and stabilizer bar bushings. The vehicle should be lifted for a thorough inspection. 6. Poor brake release or separation on a single tire can also cause the vehicle to pull to one side: This is equivalent to applying partial braking on one side continuously, inevitably causing the car to pull to one side while driving. 7. Overall frame deformation: If the wheelbase difference between the two sides exceeds the maximum allowable range, it can be measured with a tape measure. If it exceeds the range, a correction bench must be used for alignment.