Pulls to the right?

Tiny
JCGILLILAND
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
While accelerating between 30-40 MPH, the car jerks to the right quickly and then straightens back out. What could be the cause of this? It started doing this when we pulled out of a gas station and went onto a road that was being repaired on one side so the pavement from exit of gas station to road was uneven.
Saturday, November 14th, 2020 AT 5:22 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This would most likely be a power steering pump issue but I am not sure I completely understand what is happening. I get that the steering is pulling when accelerating but does this do it while driving straight? Meaning the vehicle is driving straight and between 30-40 you feel a sudden jerk to one side or does it start pulling?

I think if you can get a video of this that would really help get us on the same page.

Here is a guide that will help with general power steering issues but depending on the video, this may be a suspension issue. Especially since it started after hitting rough patch of road.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems

Let's try for the video and we can go decide what to do next. Thanks
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Saturday, November 14th, 2020 AT 6:03 AM
Tiny
JCGILLILAND
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  • 2 POSTS
When driving in a straight line, my car will violently jerk quickly to the right and the straighten back up. The power steering pump was replaced a year ago. Someone said it was the control arm. Another has said ball bearing. And another said CV axle.
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Saturday, November 14th, 2020 AT 6:39 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay, that helps. We can check the CV axle and control arm. If it were the bearing grabbing like this, it would most certainly be making noise so I would think the other two first.

Here is a guide on a CV axle:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-cv-joint-works

The control arm we can check by lifting the tire off the ground and grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock and push and pull with opposite hands in and out of the tire. It should feel real tight. If it feels like it has play in it then the ball joint is the issue.

The odd thing with any of this is that these things normally don't cause an issue only at a certain speed. Does this do this every time when reaching this speed?
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Saturday, November 14th, 2020 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
TORY23
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 100,000 MILES
I was driving on the highway going 70MPH. My car was pulling to the right while it was raining. Its been slightly pulling to the right for about 3 wks but thought I just needed an alignment. I was coming up to a car that was going much slower then I. So I tried to slow down and my breaks weren't working. I ended up swerving and hit a gaurd rail to try and miss the car in front of me. Now my car is shaky and pulls to the right, it is unsafe to drive on the road. What is wrong with my car, and what can I do?
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,212 POSTS
The shaking is likely due to a bent wheel if that started right after hitting something, but it can also be caused by a broken belt in a tire. When the belt is just starting to come apart, it can cause a pull to one side.

You need to be more specific about the brakes "not working". Did the brake pedal go all the way down to the floor? Was it high and hard like normal but the car just didn't stop?
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TORY23
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My grandpa said it sound like the control arm or idol arm needs to be adjusted. The brakes where high and very hard and would not break at all
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,212 POSTS
Your car doesn't use an idler arm. The lower control arm could be bent causing the pull but it won't cause a shaking in the steering wheel.

The brakes had water on the linings. Normally disc brake pads scrape water off but you have to use them occasionally to keep them dry. Even if that brake fade does occur, the rear drum brakes should have slowed the car down. Those only do about 20 percent of the stopping but that should be enough to stop.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:24 PM (Merged)

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