Pulling to the side after I let off the accelerator?

Tiny
JAY0318
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  • 2015 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
My car listed above is pulling to the side after I left off the accelerator mainly at high speeds and I have to correct my steering wheel the opposite way it’s pulling. It’s like there’s too much play in the steering wheel or something like that. I recently Put some used tires on here (I know not so smart) and they so happened to be 18inch instead of 20. Could the tires be the problem?
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 AT 5:22 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,978 POSTS
Are all 4 tires the same or do you have one size on one end? The pull could be caused by a bad tire or worn suspension parts. The first thing I would try is to swap the tires front to rear and see if the condition changes. If it does you have a bad tire. If not, then you would want to put the car in the air and look at the various bushings in the front suspension.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2025 AT 10:50 PM
Tiny
JAY0318
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They are all the same size but they are different brands and they are used so different tread on them as well.
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Friday, February 28th, 2025 AT 6:10 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Different brands are also commonly different actual sizes as well. So, say you have 205-75 18 tires, those are the "nominal" size. However, the actual tire can be different depending on how they actually measure the tire and how closely they follow the standards as well as the type of tire. I've seen two tires tagged as the same size actually be an inch different when installed on the same rim. It's especially bad in the lower end tires. Being you are not driving an AWD it shouldn't damage anything but if they are worn different and different brands that could be the reason.
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Friday, February 28th, 2025 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
JAY0318
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So what you’re saying is that tires that are different brands, but “same size” are most likely not the same size?
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Monday, March 3rd, 2025 AT 7:40 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Very likely they are not. The tire measurements are supposed to be a standard thing, however where the tires are actually measured for those is not a standard. So an 18" rim size is a standard, it will fit a 18" rim. 235 would be the section width. However that width only applies if the tire is on a specified rim width. So say you have a Goodyear and they measured that 235 width on a 6" wide rim. However the Yokohama tires are 235 but measured on a 5.5" rim width. The rule of thumb is that the section width changes approximately one quarter of an inch for every half inch of rim width change. Now the aspect ratio is based on that section width multiplied by a factor of the section height. The section height is determined by mounting the tire and inflating it to service pressure and then measuring from the bead area to the tread surface. So take two manufacturers and two 235 75 18 tires. So a 235mm section width multiplied by 75 percent for section height on a 18 inch rim. That tire can be mounted on a variety of rim widths in the real world. So your car could come stock with 18X8 or 20X8 rims. Now you buy 18" tires all in the "same size" but one brand used a 7" rim to measure the width and the other used an 8" rim. The tires won't actually be the same size. That really matters on an all wheel drive because it can strain the drivetrain. On a front wheel drive it can cause handling issues because of the size, plus the tires may not be the same compounds and tread patterns. All of those combine to make interesting issues depending on the vehicle. For instance I drive an AWD Journey, I have three full sets of tires, all are branded as 225-65 17. However the 4 Firestone snow tires are 29.6" in diameter, the Goodyears are 27.74" in diameter and the Yokohama tires are 28.5" in diameter, all mounted on the same factory rims.
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Monday, March 3rd, 2025 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
JAY0318
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Okay that makes sense. Also, I have my alignment paperwork, can you take a look? My caster is way off, but they did the alignment with the used (all different) tires I have on. I’m replacing with brand new tires this weekend. But my question is how do I get my caster to be in spec? Because I think that’s what’s causing the pull under acceleration. That and tires. It’s just that I’m getting so many different answers I don’t know where to start.
(First pic is before alignment. Second is after)
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Caster typically won't cause a pull. Camber and toe can. The rear camber could be enough to cause an issue but that might not be adjustable without an add on kit to allow adjustment.
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Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 AT 11:57 PM
Tiny
JAY0318
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I was looking under my car and I saw this on the passenger side. I believe that’s the rack and pinion. (Pic below) Could that be what’s wrong? The loose sensation in the wheel and it pulling to one side. The higher the speed the more my steering wanders back and forth.
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Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
JAY0318
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Or would that be the inner tire rod? I’m new to all this I don’t fix cars but being a women shops try and recommend things I don’t need sometimes so I’m trying to pinpoint myself with the help of you of course.
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Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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That is the inner tie rod end and the boot that covers it is off. That isn't a good thing as it can cause a lot of wear, however if you can try to "steer" the tire and don't see or feel play in that joint it isn't what is causing this. The thing is you will want the boot repaired to keep any more damage from happening. It might just need a new clamp ring installed.
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Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 AT 5:45 PM

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