Why does the car still pull to one side after wheel alignment?

[MacFaith]

After performing a four-wheel alignment, the car may still pull to one side due to the following reasons: 1. The vehicle's drivability is affected. 2. Damage to the chassis and suspension caused by an accident. 3. Abnormal tire wear. 4. Components of the axle and suspension have been removed. Additional information: 1. The installation of the steering wheels, steering knuckles, and front axle in a car has a certain relative position. This installation with a specific relative position is called steering wheel alignment, also known as front wheel alignment. 2. For the two rear wheels, there is also a relative position in their installation with the rear axle, known as rear wheel alignment. 3. Four-wheel alignment is based on the parameters of the vehicle's four wheels, adjusted to ensure good driving performance and a certain level of reliability.

[Judy]

I've experienced this situation before. That time at the repair shop, I spent several hundred dollars on wheel alignment, but the car still pulled to the right. The technician later discovered it was a chassis issue—the ball joint on the front lower control arm was severely worn, with excessive play making it impossible to maintain the alignment settings. Additionally, if the shock absorbers are leaking or the springs have aged and softened, it can also cause repeated changes in alignment data. After alignment, it's essential to check all bushings and connecting components. If these rubber bushings are aged and cracked, it's like osteoporosis—even if the settings are adjusted correctly, they won't hold. The most troublesome are cars that have been in accidents. If the frame rails have been impacted and deformed, no amount of alignment will help. Next time you go to the repair shop, I recommend having them lift the car and thoroughly inspect the chassis condition before readjusting, otherwise, you'll just be wasting money again.

[LaSarah]

After twenty years of driving, I've found that sometimes the car pulling to one side after a wheel alignment isn't a technical issue. Last time, the young apprentice at the repair shop did the alignment on my car—adjusted the toe and camber, all data met the standards, but the car still pulled during the test drive. The master mechanic checked and found the tires weren't balanced! One tire had been patched three times with way too many balancing weights added. Another time, after alignment, the steering wheel wasn't straight—the left and right wheel alignment angles were correct, but the tie rods on both sides were of unequal lengths, like a person walking with one leg longer than the other, naturally veering off. Tire wear also needs attention; if you're replacing tires, all four must be changed at the same time. Mixing new and old tires with different grip levels can also pull the car to one side.