Branch 1
Antwerpen / Merksem
Bredabaan 1052170 Merksem
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:30 Sat 10:00–17:00
Brakes, steering and handling
Car pulls to the left or right
A car that drifts to one side without you steering it rarely has just one possible cause. Tyre pressure, wear, brakes and suspension can all play a part. It helps to know whether it happens when driving straight, when braking or when accelerating.
Recognisable signs
What you may notice.
- You have to keep correcting the steering to stay on a straight course
- The car pulls mainly when you brake
- The steering wheel is not straight when driving straight ahead
- The tyres wear faster on one side
- The pulling is new after a tyre change, a pothole or bumping a kerb
Possible causes
What may be behind it.
These are possibilities, not a diagnosis. A technician identifies which cause fits your car after checking it.
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Uneven tyre pressure or tyre wear
Lower pressure or a worn tyre on one side can make the car pull away. This is relatively easy to check.
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A sticking or unevenly working brake
If one caliper does not release properly or brakes unevenly, the car can steer towards one side.
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Wheel alignment
After hitting a kerb, or through wear, the position of the wheels can change.
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Worn suspension or steering parts
Play in the suspension, bushes or steering links can make the car drive unsettled or off line.
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An outside influence
A cambered road, wind or the slope of the road can also cause pulling. It usually goes away on a different road.
Keep driving?
Can I keep driving with this?
If the pulling is slight, you can often keep driving carefully until your appointment, with the tyre pressure as the first thing to check. If the car pulls hard or the steering feels uncertain, it is better not to drive on.
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At WeFix
What WeFix can check.
This is what our technicians can look at to find the cause.
- Checking tyre pressure, tread and wear pattern
- Assessing the brakes and calipers
- Inspecting the suspension and steering links for play
- A test drive to recognise the behaviour
If we find something, you hear it first. We only repair after your approval.
Services
Related services.
This is where WeFix Auto’s can help with this symptom.
Branches
Call or drop by.
Not sure, or is it urgent? Call the branch near you and describe what you notice.
2170 Merksem
Branch 2
Brasschaat
Bredabaan 7372930 Brasschaat
Mon–Fri 08:30–18:00 Sat 09:00–12:00
Also read
Related problems.
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Book an appointment
Tyres wearing unevenly
If a tyre wears more on the inside, the outside or in the middle, that says something about the cause. Pressure that is too low or too high, the position of the wheels and wear in the suspension often come into it. The sooner you spot it, the better the chance of saving the tyre. Read the explanation -
Book an appointment
Steering wheel vibrates while driving
A steering wheel that vibrates often comes from the wheels and tyres, for example because the wheels are unbalanced. The suspension or brakes can also play a part. Notice when it happens: all the time, at certain speeds, or only when braking. Read the explanation -
Check soon
Car vibrates when braking
A vibration that only occurs while braking often points to the brakes themselves, for example brake discs that are no longer smooth and even. The suspension or wheels can also play a part, so it is worth checking the whole chain. Read the explanation -
Check soon
Tyre pressure warning light stays on
The light tells you that the system has detected tyre pressure that is too low, or that the system itself has a fault. A tyre that is slowly going flat is one of the most common causes. Pressure that is too low affects grip, stopping distance and wear. Read the explanation
Have your car checked.
Request a no-obligation quote or call a branch. You hear what we find first.
Please note: This explanation is general information and does not replace a technical diagnosis. The cause can only be established after your car has been checked. If you are worried about your safety, stop and ask for professional help.