Causes of car misalignment

This is a dangerous phenomenon that can have serious consequences. The article will analyze the cause and give appropriate treatment.

If a driver sees his vehicle turning left or right while driving in a straight line, it can be very dangerous. There are many reasons why cars can experience this phenomenon, but one thing remains true regardless of the cause, which is that losing control of the vehicle is not only uncomfortable but can also cause accidents. problem. Determining what the problem is and fixing it as soon as possible is a top priority, so here are the various potential causes that explain why the vehicle may veer to one side.

The reason why cars skew left or right while driving

There are a number of reasons why a vehicle can shift to one side while the owner is driving. Here are 5 potential causes and their symptoms – most will have to be repaired by a professional mechanic or service center, unless you’re a mechanic.

– Defective steering or suspension: Bracing, strut bearings and ball joints are just a few of the many components that make up an automobile’s steering and suspension system. All of these components endure wear and tear over time and can fail, which is why they should be checked annually. One of the possible outcomes of these components failing is the sensation of the vehicle pulling in one direction, and a phenomenon known as ‘memory steer’. It is the phenomenon that after turning, the car continues to move in that direction.

– Damaged wheel bearings: There are several signs that will show up before a vehicle begins to skew in one direction if its wheel bearings are damaged or degraded. The first is the noise coming from around the wheels. Sometimes the steering wheel can also start to vibrate and then the car will start to skew one way or another. If the steering wheel is shaking a lot while driving and there is noise coming from anywhere, avoid driving and have it checked as soon as possible.

– The wheel is misaligned: If drivers notice that their steering wheel pulls left or right while they’re driving, or if the vehicle pulls left or right even after letting go of the steering wheel, this could be an indication of wheel misalignment. car. This is one of the most common causes, and misaligned wheels can lead to uneven tire wear at a faster rate, which makes changing tire owners really inconvenient. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be easily repaired by a mechanic with the right equipment and tools.

– Uneven tire pressure: If the pressure of one tire is higher or lower than that of the other tires, especially those on opposite sides of the vehicle, the vehicle can be pulled to the left or right. Tires showing wear around the center area may be overinflated while tires showing wear around the outer edge may be underinflated. Drivers can easily fix tire pressure problems by keeping all of their tires at the manufacturer’s recommended PSU (pressure unit), which is usually specified in the manual. use.

– Tire shrinkage: Although extremely rare, tire shrinkage is a possible problem in the manufacturing process. Sometimes the rubber spikes on a tire can harden in a cone but not a cylinder. The vehicle will then shift toward the faulty tire. Fortunately, most tire manufacturers spot these defects quickly and will replace them.

What causes the car to deviate left or right when braking?

If the vehicle pulls over to the left or right side of the road when the brake is applied, chances are it’s having a brake-related problem.

– Brake pads are damaged or stuck: If one of the car’s brake pads is damaged or of poor quality, the car can be pulled in a certain direction when the brakes are applied. When car brake pads begin to deteriorate, braking performance will also deteriorate. Therefore, it is important that car owners use good quality brake pads and replace worn parts as quickly as possible because ineffective braking is very dangerous.

– Malfunctioning brake calipers (calipers): The brake caliper is the part of the brake that applies pressure to the wheel to stop. If not properly maintained, brake calipers can begin to jam; when that happens, braking force is impeded and the brakes will begin to cause a sense of swerving. This problem requires the help of a mechanic or a repair center to solve the problem with the brake immediately.