Braking should be a smooth and easy process whenever you step on the brake pedal. You don’t need to slam your foot on the brake pedal either unless you must stop suddenly. Just gradually apply pressure to the brake pedal and your vehicle should slow down without any issues. However, if you notice your vehicle pulling to the left or right side while you step on the brake pedal, then you may definitely have an issue with your braking system or your tires.
When the vehicle pulling is taking place, you won’t be able to steer the vehicle straight again until you stop braking. At first, you may think something is wrong with your steering system rather than your braking system. But it may become apparent that it is your braking system as soon as you take your foot off the brake pedal and can steer again.
The brake pulling will seem like a minor problem in the beginning. In fact, you may have the ability to steer the vehicle into a straight position as you’re riding the brake. But the problem will eventually escalate into a worse problem where you won’t be able to steer anymore. It is better that you don’t wait for it to get this bad because the repair costs will be too massive if you do.
5 Common Causes
There are many different causes of vehicle pulling that you need to consider if you’re going to know how to fix the problem. Sure, you can pay a mechanic to figure out the cause of the vehicle pulling, but sometimes it is better to save money by finding out the cause yourself.
Below are the top 5 causes of vehicle pulling to the right or left side when braking.
1) Heavy Load – If you’re the type of person who stuffs their vehicle with lots of heavy items to transport around, then this heavy load may cause vehicle pulling to the left or right side when braking. Figure out the weight limit of your vehicle so that you don’t pack too much of a load into it. Otherwise, your suspension spring coil could break and cause this pulling situation to occur.
2) Brake Caliper Issue – If you have a disc braking system then you have brake calipers in it. The job of a brake caliper is to apply pressure to the piston, so the brake pad pushes onto the rotating brake disc. However, sometimes the brake caliper will malfunction or get stuck after a while. Once this happens, braking will cause the vehicle to pull.
Read also:
- How to Adjust Brake Booster Push Rod Properly in Your Car
- 10 Easy Steps to Replace Car Brake Pads at Home: DIY
- 5 Symptoms of Transmission Fluid Leak and Repair Cost
3) Worn Tire Treads – Sometimes the vehicle pulling problem can be attributed to something as simple as having worn tire treads. You don’t even need to go to a mechanic for this. Simple bend down and inspect the treads of your tires. Do the grooves look deep or do they look flat? If they look flat, then you have worn tire treads. This means you need to get new tires pronto.
4) Brake Hose Issue – When the brake calipers receive brake fluid, this fluid comes through brake hoses. Obviously, if these hoses were to become worn out or damaged, they would leak brake fluid. This will disrupt the braking process because the components within the braking system will no longer be lubricated. The result will be difficulty braking and lots of pulling to one side.
5) Wheel Misalignment – Periodically, it is important to get a wheel alignment so that your wheels are even on the road. This will help ensure that you have a smooth driving experience. On the other hand, if you have a wheel misalignment issue, then your vehicle will pull hard to the left or right when you apply the brakes. If this happens, get your wheels realigned.
