A frequent problem for a motorist is driving a vehicle to the side. Driving away from a straight line means that while driving, the driver has to constantly use the steering wheel to align the trajectory. The reason for this movement is the difference in forces that act on the left and right sides of the vehicle. If these forces are in total equal, then the car also drives smoothly, but if these forces do not coincide, there is a drift.
The reasons for this behavior of the car
The most common cause of sideways drift is the wheels. When operating a car, everything is important: the correct choice of tires and disks, wheel assembly, tire fitting and balancing.
What kind of malfunctions during the operation of the wheels can affect the straightness of the movement?
1. Different tire pressures. A flat tire is more elastic and therefore has a higher coefficient of friction. It is important to monitor the tire pressure.
2. There is a different tread pattern on the right and left wheels. Better to change tires or rearrange wheels.
3. Deformation of the cord and the carcass of the tires of the wheels. With a hard hitting on bumps, it is possible to damage both the cord and the tire frame. The result will be diversion. Wheels need to be replaced.
4. Increased wheel imbalance. Balancing needs to be done.
5. Deformation of the disc. We'll have to roll the discs and balance the wheels, or replace the defective disc.
6. The car has hidden defects that were not discovered before the production of the "wheel alignment" work.
7. Another reason may be incorrect assembly of the wheel, that is, the tire sits incorrectly in the rim. It is required to assemble and re-balance.
8. The fastening of the wheel to the guides is done incorrectly. It is necessary to reinstall the wheels on the hub guides.
9. There may be a difference in the weight of wheels, disks, tires and balancing weights on the right and left side. It is required to reassemble and carry out balancing.
10. Unsymmetrical tires can also lead to sideways movement of the vehicle. This is caused by the unidirectional nature of the branch ducts and busbars.
What to do when a sideways drift is detected
Diagnostics of the car, carried out on time and correctly, will make it possible to find the reasons why the car is being pulled aside. An experienced and knowledgeable specialist with technical documentation and the necessary equipment will definitely find the cause and help eliminate it.
