What is "Car pulling to one side"?
When properly maintained, your car will brake in a straight line. That is, if you press the brake pedal, all four wheels slow down at the same time, and the car will continue to move in a straight line.
If the car jerks to either side suddenly, something in the brakes or wheels is not balanced. It may be a hydraulic, mechanical, or tyre issue.
The main reasons why a car veers to the side while braking
There are several reasons why your car will tug during braking. Understanding them is also a means to diagnose the trouble further.
Uneven braking pad wear
Brake pads rub against the discs to decrease the car's speed. Gradually, a single pad can rub at a faster pace than the other, making that wheel grip harder. This difference in braking pulls the car toward the side.
How to resolve it:
• Look at both sides brake pads.
• Interchangeable sets of pads instead of single ones.
• Ongoing maintenance to avoid uneven wearing.
Seized or jammed brake calliper
It pushes the pads against the disc. A calliper may jam with rust, dirt, or insufficient lubrication, and a wheel will then brake slowly. The result is that the car pulls to the side with the working calliper.
Symptoms of a jammed calliper:
• Burning smell from brakes.
• Non-uniform warming up of brakes.
• The car veers to a side during braking.
How to fix it:
• Lubricate calliper slides and clean.
• Replace the calliper if cleaning is not capable of correcting the issue.
Brake fluid issues
Brake fluid relays pressure throughout the pedal to the brakes. A side with a low fluid level, contamination, or an air bubble can react differently from the opposite side.
How to solve it:
• Change brake fluid per the manufacturer's advice.
• Locate leaks on brake lines, callipers or wheel cylinders.
Uneven tyre pressure
Non-equal pressure in tyres creates variations in the rolling resistance that induce lateral force during braking, causing the automobile to pull to a side. Even a small variation will alter stability.
How to address it:
• Always verify and adjust tyre pressure.
• Your guide to your car's maximum tyre pressure as specified.
• Always check the spare tyre as well.
Wheel alignment issues
Driving across potholes, speed humps, or fender benders can upset wheel alignment. Out-of-line wheels will not roll true and will tug the vehicle during braking.
How to fix it:
• Have your wheel alignment inspected every six months or whenever replacing tyres.
• Align wheels at once following significant impacts or replacing the tyre.
Worn or damaged suspension parts
It steadies your vehicle and distributes braking forces evenly. A worn bushing, arm, or strut can result in a patchy braking force that pulls the vehicle to a side.
How to repair it:
• Examine suspension components for wear or tears.
• Repair broken areas promptly.
• Avoid rough roads or high-velocity shocks to prevent suspension damage.
Dirty brake discs or brake pads
Pads or discs that are dirty with oil, grease, or brake fluid no longer have friction and experience uneven braking. This will make the automobile pull to that side with regular contact.
How to fix it:
• Wipe discs and pads clean.
• Replace any contaminated pads.
• Fix any leakage resulting in contamination.
Warped brake discs
Discs can warp due to overheating or poor-quality materials, resulting in uneven contact with brake pads. Warped discs can also result in vibrating while braking.
How to resolve it:
• Replace or resurface the brake discs.
• Avoid braking hard or frequently to prevent warping in the future.
Faulty wheel bearing
A degraded wheel bearing may limit the freedom of a wheel's spin. A wheel that resists turning more than the others can cause the car to tug side to side while braking.
How to fix it:
• Look for wheel bearing noise or wear.
• Change defective bearings early to secure soundness.
Tyre or wheel parts variations
Variation in the tyre size, tread pattern, or wear can generate non-homogeneous grip, causing the car to pull on braking.
How to correct it:
• Ensure that the tyres are the same in both size, make, and tread pattern.
• Alternate tyres every 8,000–10,000 km.
How to check if your car is pulling
There is also a simple test that can tell if a car pulls either way:
1. Locate a wide open road.
2. Drive at a constant 40 km/h.
3. Slowly press the brakes.
4. See if the car moves to either the right or the left.
5. Let the brakes off and see if it returns to the centre.
If the car only pulls during braking, then this is most probably a brake malfunction. If the car pulls even during non-braking times, then this can point to wheel or tyre problems. Either way, this must be checked right away.
How to prevent a car from pulling when braking
Routine maintenance of your vehicle can reduce the risk of a car pulling on braking. Some precautions are:
• Always check and keep up tyre pressure.
• Drive slowly and avoid potholes and rough road patches.
• Change brake pads and discs periodically.
• Service brakes and suspension elements during regular maintenance.
• Install original or quality replacement parts.
• Align and balance the wheel periodically.
Final words
If your car pulls to one side when braking, don’t ignore it. It might start as a small annoyance, but it can quickly become dangerous.
In most cases, it's due to imbalanced brake pads, jammed callipers, or wheel misalignment, all of which can be easily remedied if detected early.
So, the next time your vehicle veers to one side as you brake, consider it as your car's humble request for attention. Check it with a reliable mechanic. At our ACKO Drive service centres, we run precise checks and adjustments to correct the imbalance. Our experts make sure your car brakes evenly and safely every time. You can book a service slot online through the ACKO app or the ACKO Drive website.
Frequently asked questions
