Q: Having problems when braking the vehicle the steering wheel pulls to the right

asked by on October 13, 2016

hie, when i do sudden brakes my steering wheel pulls to the right side in jerks what can be the cause

Hey there. If your vehicle pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, it typically means that you have a braking imbalance at one of the front wheels. This may be caused by a collapsed or faulty brake line or otherwise lack of hydraulic pressure getting to one of the brake calipers.

When this happens, this means that one of the brake calipers is doing it’s job at normal or full capacity in terms of stopping power and the other is not. This will cause the vehicle to pull to the side that is working properly since this side is exerting more stopping power than the other side. A certified professional from YourMechanic can verify the cause of the pulling problem and can replace your caliper issue if necessary.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What Types of Trouble Codes Cause Lights to Come On in My Dash?
Different vehicles have a different number of lights on the dashboard to warn you of problems, some with just a few basic lights while others have plenty to distinguish between different issues. This article will cover just the bright yellow...
Jeep died while driving on freeway
Hi there. The engine dying could be caused from many different things. A proper diagnosis needs to be performed on the car where a technician can test the battery, fuel pressure, computer codes and many other things. I would recommend...
Electrical problems with the car that started suddenly
If all these problems started happening at the same time then you will have to get the engine control module (ECM) (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-a-vehicle-s-electrical-control-unit) tested to see if it is causing the problems. The ECM controls all these lights using input from...
Starter will not turn over, nor engage
Hi there, thank you for asking about your 2003 Infiniti FX45. The battery replacement has activated the "immobilizer" security feature. Consult your owners manual for instructions on how to disarm the system. Also, after replacing the battery, there is a...
Car starts fine, runs briefly, sputters and shuts off - 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood
Hi! Yes, I have a couple thoughts for you to hopefully get your Cadillac back to being a reliable driver. From what you've said so far, I agree that the distributor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/distributor-rotor-and-cap-replacement) and the fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) are high probability...
An intermittent misfire has triggered several trouble codes
Hi and thanks for your question. The codes P0201, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206 are the cylinders that are not working. Your vehicle is only running on three cylinders that have fuel and possible fuel with the other cylinders at random...
Console shifter in park position but shows in Drive on dashboard display.
Your car will not crank if the PCM and BCM don't see the transmission is in neutral or park. A part of the gear selector system has failed causing the car to believe it is still in s mode. Located...
Hi, im hearing a creaking noise everytime i turn my wheel on my dodge stratus. Sometimes when it rains, the noise goes away but th
Hello, thank you for writing in. The control arms were a good guess, and there are several other tests you can do. You may be dealing with a failing steering or suspension component. You can start by performing a bounce...
My 2002 mazda protege 5 is flashing the o/d light
Hi There, If your overdrive light is blinking (like a turn signal or hazard light), it is indicating that there is a problem with your car’s transmission. It could be the shift solenoid or possibly the speed or range sensors...

Related articles

Tips on Braking for New Drivers
New New drivers have to spend some serious time behind the wheel before they are ready to go out on their own and drive on busy roads. Situational awareness is tricky to maintain with so much happening around the vehicle,...
Top 10 Brake System Issues Every Car Owner Needs To Know
Every driver should know how to check for problems with car brakes. Warped rotors, leaky brake hoses, and squeaky brakes are among the most common.
How Long Does a Center (Drag) Link Last?
The The center link has ball joints on either end, and connects the pitman arm and idler arm on your car’s suspension. This part is sometimes called the relay rod or the drag link. The main purpose of the center...