We saw in a previous article the reasons why a vehicle can start to vibrate on the road and make you feel it in the steering wheel, the pedals or the seats, for example. Another disturbing behavior while driving is when the car does not drive in a straight line or deviates from its trajectory, as if a force is pulling it to one side or the other of the roadway.
This phenomenon can have different causes. Here are the main ones:
1. Tire pressure
If your left and right tires don’t have the same air pressure, especially in the front, it’s entirely possible that your car won’t stay on course and pull to one side. This is another good reason to check your tire pressure periodically, ideally once a month (or more if temperature changes are significant). Warning: over-inflated tires can cause other problems. Stick to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
2. Wheel parallelism
Of course, a vehicle whose four wheels are no longer perfectly parallel due to repeated impacts or damaged suspension/steering components will also tend to pull to one side. It is then necessary to realign the wheels in a mechanical workshop. Once the work is done, take it for a test drive to make sure the problem no longer occurs.
3. Brakes
Does your car pull to one side only when pressing the brake pedal? If so, this is a sign that the brakes are not working well. For example, the calipers may not fully release the discs, the discs may be bent, or the brake lines may be compressed/sagged. An inspection of the braking system will clear everything up.
4. Wear
Finally, excessively worn or damaged suspension and steering parts can prevent a vehicle from driving in a straight line. Ditto for wheel bearings that have had their day. Generally, you will hear suspicious noises and you will feel vibrations in the steering wheel as well. Don’t wait any longer and visit a mechanical workshop for an in-depth inspection and the necessary part replacements.