Why is my steering wheel pulling to one side?
Have you noticed that your vehicle pulls to one side when you are driving or braking? Not only can this be a frustration, but it is also unsafe as it is harder to maintain control of your car. Issues with your steering can be a major safety issue and not something you should not ignore. When your car pulls to one side, there could be a range of problems that could be causing it. We have compiled the top common causes in this simple guide.
Uneven tyre pressure
This is a common reason why your vehicle may be pulling to one side and is much simpler to solve than others. If one of your tyres has less pressure than the others, you may find yourself drifting to one side. To fix this issue, you may need to add more air into the tyre that is underinflated. You can find the recommended tyre pressure level in the manufacturer's handbook.
Wheel alignment
Wheel alignment being off is one of the most common reasons that your car may be pulling to one side. This simply means that your wheels are not pointing in the direction they should be. The correct alignment is when your tyres are in line with the axles, creating a rectangle that is parallel to each other. There are many reasons why your wheel alignment may be off, which include:
- Hitting a pothole
- Not slowing down when approaching speed bumps
- Mounting the kerb
Ensuring your wheels are aligned correctly will not only straighten your drive, but will:
- Reduce steering problems
- Improve fuel economy
- Reduce wear and tear on tyres
- Improve overall driving performance and handling
Book a free wheel alignment check here at Setyres, and get a £5 voucher to save on any work you need to get any necessary adjustments you might need.
Worn out part in suspension or steering
Another reason why your vehicle may be pulling to one side could be your car's suspension. A worn-out suspension may need replacing. Components such as ball joints, shocks, control arms and struts may need to be replaced due to wear and tear. If any of these components become worn, they can begin to shift or slant to one side particularly when you brake. This can cause the vehicle to pull to the side. The best way to avoid this is to ensure you keep on top of regularly servicing your vehicle to prevent any dangers such as your car steering pulling to one side.
Uneven brakes
If your car pulls to one side when braking, this may indicate a problem with the braking system. The braking system is an essential safety component of your vehicle and there may be many parts of the braking system that could be faulty:
- Stuck calliper - callipers are used to apply pressure to the brake pads which brings the car to a stop. If one of the callipers are stuck, then it will cause a pull to that side of the vehicle. You can tell if one of them sticks by listening out for a grinding noise.
- Collapsed brake hose - the brake hose delivers brake fluid to the tyres. If this gets clogged, the fluid will not be pumped around evenly which can also cause your car to pull to one side.
- Unlubricated slide pins - slide pins should always be well lubricated as pins that are not greased have more of a chance of getting stuck. A seized pin can cause the vehicle to pull to one side.
Keep on top of your vehicle maintenance by booking in for a service here. Simply locate your local Setyres branch today or contact our helpful team who will be happy to help.
Posted on: 16/01/2023
