Why Is My Car Pulling to One Side?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 12 days ago
5 min read
- Diagnostic
FixMyCar explains why your car might be pulling to one side.
Feeling like you’re not in control of your car is a scary experience, especially regarding your ability to steer properly. When your car starts veering to one side, you know something isn’t right.
This guide explains why it can happen, how to fix it, and - where data is available - how much it’s likely to cost.
Contents
Reasons your car is pulling to one side
In a nutshell: Your car might pull to one side due to misaligned wheels, unbalanced wheels, tyre issues, faulty suspension or a problem with the brakes. Read on to learn more about these issues and how much they cost to fix.
Reasons your car is pulling to one side
These possibilities apply whether your car is pulling to the left or right.
1. Misaligned wheels
Even if your wheels are only slightly misaligned, it can have a knock-on effect on the ride quality and handling of your vehicle, as we discuss in our guide to wheel alignment. That’s why, when you feel your car pulling to one side, incorrect wheel alignment is one of the most likely culprits.
Other signs of misaligned wheels include:
Uneven or rapid tyre wear.
Loud/squealing tyres.
A vibrating steering wheel.
Hitting potholes, kerbs and speed bumps when driving fast are common causes of wheel misalignment.
How much does it cost to fix?
The solution is to book a wheel alignment, which doesn’t take very long - a couple of hours at most - and costs £45.90 on average.
2. Unbalanced wheels
When your wheels are out-of-kilter, it usually makes your steering wheel vibrate or wobble excessively, and your car pulls to one side. Wheel balancing aims to ensure the weight of each wheel is distributed evenly on each axle.
How much does it cost to fix?
You can expect to pay around £40 for wheel balancing.
3. New tyres
It sounds counterintuitive that a new set of tyres might be causing your car to pull to one side, but it’s true. There may be a manufacturing fault with one of the tyres, known as tyre conicity, when steel belts beneath the tread aren’t correctly aligned.
How much does it cost to fix?
If tyre conicity is to blame, you will notice as soon as the new tyre is fitted, and it should be covered under warranty, so you won't have to pay. Contact the dealer who sold you the tyre as quickly as possible.
4. Tyre pressure
When was the last time you checked your tyre pressure? If it wasn’t recently, then uneven tyre pressure could be to blame for your car’s steering problems. When one tyre has less pressure, it can cause your vehicle to veer to one side.
How much does it cost to fix?
Topping up your tyre pressure is a free and easy fix you can do at home, as we explain in our ultimate guide to tyre pressure.
5. Suspension
Once you’ve determined your car’s brakes aren’t to blame, the next thing to look at is the suspension. Loose suspension components can move and impact the steering. Lower control arm bushings that are worn out may allow the arm to move when you brake, changing the wheel's position.
Learn how to diagnose common suspension problems.
Other suspension and steering components that could be to blame include:
Sway bar
Drive shaft
Steering rack
Coil spring
Inner tie rod
Read this guide for more information about how your car's suspension works.
Suspension is likely to be blamed if you notice a quick tug on the steering when you brake, which then subsides. The solution in this case is to book a repair.
How much does it cost to fix?
Suspension repairs cost £135.29 on average, according to our data.
My car pulls to one side while braking
In this case, there is a problem with the braking system. A stuck calliper or wheel cylinder issue is likely the cause, making a brake on one side grab harder than the other.
Diagnosing the cause of brake problems is challenging without mechanical know-how, so it’s best to consult a mechanic who will be able to pinpoint the source of the problem and suggest a repair.
We also have a range of brake-related guides to help you get clued up before taking your car to the garage.
My car pulls to one side while accelerating
Torque steer occurs primarily in front-wheel drive cars, making them pull to one side as they accelerate. It can be caused by numerous things, including a ball joint or tie rod with too much movement.
Either way, if torque steer is why your car pulls to one side, you’ll need to book it into a garage for repairs.
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