A car that pulls to one side when braking usually has more braking force on one side than the other. A sticking caliper or slide pin, a collapsed brake hose that holds pressure, a pad contaminated with oil or brake fluid, or unevenly worn pads and rotors are the common brake causes. Worn suspension bushings, tie rods and ball joints let the wheel shift under braking and cause pull too. If the car also pulls when you are not braking, look at tire pressures and alignment first.
Causes
| Cause | Which way it pulls |
|---|---|
| Sticking caliper or slide pins | Toward the sticking side; that wheel runs hot; see sticking brake caliper |
| Collapsed brake hose | Often away from the affected side when braking, then a drag toward it after release |
| Contaminated pad | Away from the contaminated side, which grips less |
| Uneven pads or rotors | Varies; often with vibration |
| Worn suspension or steering | Shifts under load, with clunks; see loose steering |
| Tire pressure or alignment | Pulls whether braking or not |
Pulls when braking hard
Hard stops multiply small differences. A caliper that is slow to apply, worn control arm bushings that let the wheel move rearward, or tires of different wear or type on the same axle show up most under hard braking.
Pulls at high speed when braking
At speed, vibration with the pull usually points to uneven rotor thickness; see car vibrates at high speed. Without vibration, check the calipers, hoses and suspension.
How to find it
- Check tire pressures and look for uneven tire wear.
- After a short drive, carefully compare wheel temperatures near the hubs: a much hotter wheel has a dragging brake.
- Lift the car and spin each wheel; a wheel that drags has a caliper or hose problem.
- Inspect pads for uneven wear and contamination; look for leaking axle seals or calipers.
- Check bushings, ball joints and tie rods for play.
Fixing it
Replace pads in axle sets, service or replace sticking calipers, replace collapsed hoses, and fix any leak that contaminated a pad. Bleed the system after hydraulic work; see how to bleed brakes. A pull that remains after brake work calls for an alignment and suspension check.
Pulls after a brake job
A pull that starts right after new pads or rotors often comes from mismatched pads side to side, a caliper slide that was not cleaned and lubricated, a hose twisted during installation, or air left in one caliper. Pads also need bedding in; until then one side may grip differently. Recheck the installation before suspecting other parts.
Why to fix it soon
A pull under braking reduces control in an emergency stop and wears tires and pads unevenly. Related: grinding noise when braking and death wobble.
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