5 Reasons a Car Pulls to the Right or Left
You may be driving a car and suddenly notice that your car is pulling too far to the left or right when driving or braking.
This can be frightening as you may not be able to get the vehicle back to the original position in time. It feels as if the car is steering automatically, but you have no control over it. This can make you panic and you may end up doing something that could cause an accident. You just need to stay calm and understand what you are dealing with. For most people, the issue of their car pulling to the right or left is just a minor issue at first. They take their hands off the wheel when braking and notice that their car is pulling to one side.
First, they can steer the vehicle back to a center position while keeping their hands on the steering wheel. This means the driver can’t get a drink of water or grab their mobile device because their hands are full.
But if the problem gets worse, eventually the vehicle won’t be able to steer properly.
Top causes of a car pulling to the right or left
There are many different reasons and causes for a vehicle to pull too hard to the right or left while driving, accelerating, or braking. The most common reasons are as follows: If you suspect your vehicle has these issues, repair or replace the necessary parts immediately.
1) Stuck Brake Calipers
Brake fluid flows from the master cylinder to the brake caliper, exerting pressure on a piston that forces the brake pads against the rotating brake disc, slowing and stopping the vehicle. However, if the caliper sticks for any reason, it can pull to one side.
2) Brake Hose Failure
Brake hoses are responsible for supplying brake fluid to the brake calipers. Even if the outside of the hose looks fine and there doesn’t appear to be any leaks, there could be a problem with the inside lining of the hose. Restricted brake fluid flow will cause your car to pull sideways when you press the brake pedal.
3) Poor Axle Alignment
In some cases, the braking system itself may not have anything to do with your vehicle’s traction issues. If the wheels under your car are misaligned, the harder you press the brake pedal, the harder the wheels will be pulled sideways. You may also feel a pulling effect when you press the accelerator.
4) Uneven Tire Tread
It is important that the tread pattern on all four tires is uniform. That is why regular tire rotation is so important. This can be an issue if one side of your car has a tire with a flatter profile than the other side.
Because one side is flat, it creates a pulling effect when you press the brake pedal, especially if you press it too hard. Be careful when braking and replace uneven tires immediately.
5) Carrying too much battery
Some vehicles have weight limits on the amount of luggage you can carry. If you’ve packed your car with a heavy load, don’t be surprised if you notice it pulling from side to side when you press the brake pedal.
You don’t necessarily have to load your vehicle on the ground, but it could be that your suspension coil springs are damaged or missing.
