Why Does My Car Pull to One Side? Causes and Fixes for Redding Drivers
Get Your Car Driving Straight Again
A car that drifts or pulls is wearing out its tires and making you work to keep it in the lane. Alignment is the usual cause, but not the only one.
A gentle drift: book soon before it wears out your tires. A strong pull, or a pull only when braking: book now.
Why does my car pull to one side? The usual causes are wheel alignment that's out of spec, uneven tire pressure or wear, worn steering or suspension parts, or a sticking brake caliper. If it only pulls when you brake, the brakes are the most likely cause.
If you have to hold the steering wheel off-center to go straight, or the car drifts when you let go on a flat road, something is pulling it. When it only pulls while you're braking, the cause is usually in the brakes rather than the alignment.
Common causes of a car pulling to one side
- Wheel alignment out of spec. Potholes, curbs, and worn parts knock it out over time. Wheel alignment
- Uneven tire pressure or wear. A low tire alone can make the car pull. Tire rotation
- Worn steering or suspension parts. Tie rods, ball joints, and control arm bushings let the wheels shift. Steering and suspension repair
- A sticking brake caliper. Causes a pull when braking, and sometimes all the time. Brake repair
Fighting the steering wheel?
Book an alignment check before uneven wear ruins a set of tires.
How we find the cause and fix it
- We check tire pressure and wear patterns, which often point straight to the cause.
- We inspect steering and suspension parts for play, since aligning worn parts doesn't last.
- We measure and adjust the wheel angles to your vehicle's specifications.
- We road test the car to confirm it tracks straight.
Drive straight and save your tires.
Book a wheel alignment and stop the pull before it wears out another set of tires.
Is it safe to keep driving?
A gentle drift is safe to drive on for a short time, but it's wearing your tires out. A sudden or strong pull, a pull while braking, or a clunk with it means book now: it can be a brake or suspension problem that affects control.
Services we offer that could fix your problem
We confirm the cause first, then recommend only the repair you need.
- Wheel AlignmentStop Pulling and Uneven Tire Wear With a Precision AlignmentLearn more
- Steering And SuspensionRestore Safe, Responsive Handling on Every DriveLearn more
- BrakesStop Safely and Confidently Every Time You Hit the BrakesLearn more
- Tire RotationMake Your Tires Last Longer and Save MoneyLearn more
Common questions
Why Does My Car Pull to One Side?
The usual causes are wheel alignment that's out of spec, uneven tire pressure or wear, worn steering or suspension parts, or a sticking brake caliper. If it only pulls when you brake, the brakes are the most likely cause.
Why does my car pull to the right?
The most common causes are alignment, uneven tire pressure, or a worn suspension part. Roads are also crowned to drain water, which can cause a slight drift to the right.
Why does my car pull only when I brake?
That's usually a brake problem, such as a sticking caliper or uneven pad wear, rather than alignment.
How often do I need an alignment?
Have it checked every year, after hitting a big pothole or curb, and whenever you get new tires.