You have driven vehicles for years, and every part still operates smoothly. But a sudden issue arises: the car pulls left when accelerating and right when decelerating.
You have no clue what is happening inside the system and keep wondering, why does my car pull when I accelerate?
Despite the continued operation, the inconvenient pulling will distract your concentration. Also, running the car directly can make you feel irritated and exhausted.
Still, no need to worry any longer. We are here for your help. In addition to finding the underlying triggers, a bunch of optimizing fixes is available for you to apply.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Why Car Pulls Left When Accelerating And Right When Decelerating?
It is unusual when your car suddenly pulls to one side. And the culprit mainly comes from torque steer.
This part gets into trouble for numerous different reasons. Most relate to engine mount, suspension, or new tire installation malfunctions.
Follow us to enter into details in the following part.
What Triggers Torque Steer?
Torque steer error results from various inside component malfunctions, then causes effects on the acceleration. Here are some common reasons we will mention today:
Damaged Engine Mounted
The FWD includes the engine, drivetrain, and transmission, all located at the front end when the differential and transmission are prone to hang over one side, making the two half-shafts unequal.
By then, the difference in half-shaft lengths will change the torque inputs, causing one wheel to perform more powerfully over its peer.
Plus, the front wheel system connects closely to the steering wheel. So that unequal power can work out why your car pulls when accelerating.
Worn Tire Components
Several flaws in tire components can contribute to causing torque steer inequality.
Speaking of the sidewall, a small defect can disfigure its typical shape. With this deformation, the traction fluctuates greatly between the two wheels in the front.
Another similar situation – worn treads may trigger the car pulling to left when accelerating. Uneven tread wear creates a gap in contact patch size.
So the two wheels receive different road surface contacting areas, making chaotic torque steer.
In addition, you should not pass up the improper air pressure inside the tire. Overinflated or underinflated one wheel will unbalance the loading.
As a consequence, the steering wheel spins out of control at ease. That’s why the car pulls to the left when accelerating.
One more torque steer issue may stem from wheel alignment. If the wheels are out of the straight line, they will obtain unequal loading, which causes excessive steering.
Then, it is not unusual once a car pulls to the right when accelerating
Poor Suspension
Finally, the pull may occur if your car suffers a poor suspension compression that shifts the position.
In particular, damaged control arm bushings lose the arm when you brake, moving the wheels out of the track. Subsequently, the car pulls to the right when accelerating.
Diagnose Torque Steer
To diagnose the steering drift, drivers can perform a DIY approach. The ideal rest place would be quiet and along non-crown roads. So you can remove all the outside factors and focus on the inner ones.
Check the wheel alignment first if the car pulls to the right while driving at normal speed.
After alignment car still pulls right once accelerating, which would relate to the torque steer problems. After which, you should consider the correct underlying issues we have provided above.
Then apply a list of solutions below to fix the issue.
How To Stop Torque Steer?
To ease the car drifting to the right, many effective methods will work out their respective reasons. What are they?
Equal Driveshafts
When transversely mounted engines happen, it’s best to change to equal driveshafts instantly. Most automakers suggest a pair of long driveshaft alternatives, while others offer intermediate ones.
All you need to do is buy a new pair of even driveshafts. Then, connect each to two sides of the gearbox.
Word of caution, choose a guaranteed auto store to ensure quality and durability.
Improve Suspension Components
To improve the damaged suspension, technicians have offered a practical way that helps separate the steering from the front-axle suspension.
It is quite easy to undertake. Buy knuckles from any auto shop and attach them to the front wheels.
With this addition, the steering movement will no longer relate to the operation of suspension arms.
Improve Current Tires
If the tires are having one of these troubles in tire pressure, poor alignment, balance, or treads, do not hesitate to install a new set of tires.
Qualified tires ensure the wear level, alignment, and front wheel traction.
Install A New Differential
Another efficient but pricey idea is installing your car with a limited-slip differential.
This new change will enhance the power delivered to the front wheels, ensuring full control. Also, the stability and traction rise greatly to keep the wheels straight.
Once the torque steering gets improved, other components will work well accordingly.
Other Reasons Causing One Side Pulling
Aside from common issues we have mentioned earlier, there are still other minimal situations that may lead to chaotic steering drift:
Braking System Errors
When a car pulls to left when accelerating, it may originate from the errors relating to the braking system – stuck brake caliper.
First of all, take a glance at how calipers on wheels work. The hydraulic brake provides power to the calipers. Then, an appropriate pressure will go into the brake pads, forcing the car to stop.
Technically, each wheel has a brake caliper hanging over it. If one of them gets stuck, your car pulls right when accelerating, or the other side once decelerates.
Here are several measures to handle when both front brake calipers get stuck.
Consequently, that hydraulic issue or wheel cylinder error will create unneeded friction, increasing the wheel surface temperature.
If the situation worsens, the tire may burn and cause unwanted accidents for drivers.
Remember to take an annual inspection of your car. Bring it to a pro auto mechanic immediately if the error mentioned happens.
Wrong New Tires Installation
Non-fitted new tires also influence the steering pull. Each tire has distinctive tread patterns or endurance regardless of the brands in common.
Replacing fresh tires whose features perform differently from the current ones will pull the tire to one side.
Tire balancing, particularly, affects the drifting greatly. Here are some tips for how to balance tires at home.
So, tire shops always suggest installing a new pair instead of solely one tire. Otherwise, alternative tires for the rear axle will help reduce the steering pull.
Shaking Steering Wheel
The imbalanced wheels will threaten the steering wheel, like shaking or out of control on the rough terrain.
The shaking steering wheel added to the overweight load on one side of the wheel.
At that point, suddenly, putting an overweight load on one side of the wheel can aggravate the pulling issue.
Take Away
Now you have figured out clearly why your car pulls left when accelerating and right when decelerating.
Malfunctions in torque steer may happen easily, but the measures to fix them are all doable.
Still, it would be best to take regular auto checks at reliable auto stores.
Caution always helps to protect you against all unintended conditions.