What Causes Vehicle Directional Drift?
3 Answers
Reasons for vehicle directional drift: 1. Significant difference in left and right tire pressure: This usually occurs when a tire is punctured or damaged. A large difference in tire pressure causes uneven vehicle height and imbalanced force distribution during driving, leading to directional drift. 2. Damaged left or right shock absorbers: When the shock absorption coefficients on both sides differ significantly, or when one side's shock absorber spring deforms or fails, directional drift may occur. 3. Abnormal four-wheel alignment parameters: Vehicles driving for extended periods with incorrect parameters, especially those frequently traveling on rough roads, are prone to changes in four-wheel alignment. Directional drift is often caused by abnormal camber angles, so it's essential to check camber angles during four-wheel alignment.
Recently, I've been feeling a constant pull to the left when driving, especially on highways where I have to keep steadying the wheel. A shop inspection revealed it's a suspension issue—the left front shock absorber is leaking oil, causing insufficient support and body tilt that leads to the drift. The mechanic mentioned uneven tire pressure is also common; a difference of over 0.2 can make the steering wheel feel tugged. Another time, during a wheel alignment, they found cracked steering linkage bushings, an often-overlooked issue that causes steering mechanism misalignment. Also, significant differences in tire tread depth, especially on front wheels, can cause this. Don't force driving in such cases—long-term misalignment accelerates suspension wear and even compromises safety. I recommend first checking tire pressure on both sides, and if that doesn't resolve it, have a professional technician perform a four-wheel alignment check.
Last time my friend's car kept pulling to one side, and I helped inspect it, discovering some key points. The most easily overlooked is the brake system—a stuck single-side brake caliper can feel like it's dragging one side, often accompanied by abnormally high fuel consumption. Uneven tire tread wear is also common, especially on the front wheels; if the groove depth difference exceeds 2mm when checked with a coin, it can cause issues. Another problem is tire dynamic imbalance—wheel rim deformation or missing balancing weights can make the car pull at specific speeds. I once experienced excessive internal clearance in the steering gear on my own car, where body sway and yaw occurred when there was free play in the steering wheel. Regular maintenance should include checking for loose suspension ball joints, and periodic tire rotation can prevent early uneven wear. If you notice pulling, get it fixed as soon as possible—it's both tiring and dangerous to drive like that.
