Auto Repair Help by Professional Mechanics
Troubleshooting
/ Car Pulls
Right or Left When Driving
Car Pulls Right or Left When Driving or Braking
A vehicle when driven down a straight flat road should go straight ahead with
a slight drift to the right for safety. A slight right hand drift was designed
into US and other left hand drive vehicles to avoid head on collisions when a
driver falls asleep or is rendered unconscious. In right hand drive countries a
car is designed to have a slight left hand drift for the same reason. If the car
has an excessive pull to the left or right while driving or braking, this could
be a signal that there is a problem with a worn or failed steering or suspension
component. We have listed some common reasons for this below:
Troubleshooting Procedure/Inspection
- Inspect Front Strut Rod Bushings - If strut rod
bushings are worn or missing it will allow the suspension control arm to
shift while driving and braking. When inspecting suspension bushings look
for cracking, dilapidation or shiny surfaces showing that suspension
components have moved. When bushings wear they can allow the suspension
components to move causing the car to dart from one side or the other when
braking or traveling over bumps in the road.
Cracked Strut Rod Bushing
- Inspect Upper/Lower Ball Joints - The ball joints act
as a universal joint that is connected to solid suspension arms and
spindles. Ball joints have little to no clearance to hold suspension
components in-line while steering or traveling over rough roads. If the ball
joints become worn they will allow suspension components to move out of line
causing the car the wander from one side to the other. When checking the
suspension components lift the car slightly but leave the wheels on the
ground, this will take pressure off of the ball joints to allow proper
inspection. (Heavy pressure on ball joints will make it difficult to test
for play in the ball joint). Use a large pry bar and insert between
the ball joint components rock back and forth while checking for excessive
movement in the ball joint. Little to no play should be observed. If
excessive play is observed the ball joint has worn and needs to be replaced.
- Check for Tire Tread Separation - The tires on your car
are designed with many separate layers that can become dislodged internally.
The tire will act one way when the car is driven normally, a shift can occur
within the tire when the brakes are applied causing the car to pull one way
or the other. Tires can also
cause a pull that will change if the tires
are swapped from side to side to change
direction (rotation).
- Check for Brake Hose Operation Blockage -
Your car has flexible brake hoses that are
reinforced rubber hydraulic pressure hoses. These hoses are needed to
compensate the vehicles suspension travel. Solid metal brake lines
will not bend with the suspension travel. (This travel will cause a solid
metal brake line to fail) These brake hoses are capable of holding thousands
of pounds of brake fluid pressure without failing. Because these hoses are
made of rubber they can fail internally allowing a small part of the inner
hose liner to become dislodged and act like a one way check valve that will
either hold full brake pressure from getting a particular wheel or not
allowing the brake pressure to bleed off. This condition with cause the
brake to not work as hard as the other wheels or cause the wheel to drag and
not fully release. Either of these conditions will cause a brake pull
condition. If you suspect this problem use a pocket IR thermometer
laser
temperature reader. Drive the car for a short distance with repeated braking
then park the car and use the pocket IR thermometer to test each wheel. You
must test each wheel in the exact same place (I like to use one lug nut on
each wheel). You are monitoring temperature differences from side to side,
not from front to rear. Front to rear temperature differences are normal,
side to side is not. (both front or both rear wheels) If a measurable amount
of temperature differences exists replace both brake hoses involved. (Note:
most brake pull problems of this nature are front brake related). Example:
if both front wheels are tested and the right temperature reading is 190
degrees and the left side is 80 degrees, there is a problem.
Pocket IR Thermometer Laser Temperature
Reader
For exact specific repair procedures for any of the steps above visit our
online repair
manual page.
Troubleshooting
/ Car Pulls
Right or Left When Driving
Check Manufacturer Specific
Car
Pulls Questions and Answers
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