What Is Likely Wrong with My Car?

cloudy on 28/05/2025 - 21:04

So whilst travelling on dead straight roads I often loosen my grip of the steering wheel. I notice sometimes it has a slight steer to the left, and i correct it straight and it shifts left again when i let go. I assume it needs a wheel alignment, but sometimes now it does the same thing but steering right sometimes. Basically, sometimes the steering tilts to the left and sometimes to the right, but mostly left.

So is it a wheel alignment issue? ( I kind of thought it'll only tilt one direction if it was) or could it be something else?

Automotive

Comments

  • Hybroid on 28/05/2025 - 21:06
    +27

    Alignment, uneven tyre air pressure, uneven tyre tread, tyre conicity, bad wheel bearing, worn-out steering, worn-out suspension, brake issue, engine torque. Lots of potential reasons. Book it in for an inspection, start with alignment.

    • Wiadro on 28/05/2025 - 21:18

      this

    • cloudy on 28/05/2025 - 21:44

      All but brake issue makes sense to me, but how can a brake issue lead to steering moving one side or another whilst driving?

      Or are you saying the movement occurs during braking? (my issue does not occur during braking)

      • Hybroid on 28/05/2025 - 22:11
        +8

        Uneven friction between the right and left front brakes can cause the steering to pull right or left. Coupled with road gradient and maybe combination of other things. Start with alignment & safety check of tyre condition though.

    • EightImmortals on 29/05/2025 - 06:45

      But mostly like just needs an alignment and possibly tires. :)

    • Dr Phil on 29/05/2025 - 09:22
      -6

      yep Sums it up 100%

      Though front end repairs will need to be carried out first before doing a wheel alignment

      Botom line is that OPs car is "DANGEROUS TO DRIVE!

      Never mind what anyone thinks the problem is……we are not going to fix it here …

      OP should stop driving the car and take it to a mechanic as a matter or URGENCY!

      • 2025 on 29/05/2025 - 12:36
        +2

        So in other words, OP should expect that after letting go of the steering wheel, the car will forever go straight, not veer left or right. And anything else means it should not be driven and taken to a mechanic ASAP?

        Imagine saying that, and that the road camber has nothing to do with it. I’m embarrassed for you.

        • MS Paint on 29/05/2025 - 14:33
          +2

          Dr Dill strikes again with "thier" words of wisdom.

  • hothed on 28/05/2025 - 21:14
    +3

    The road camber and tramlining.

    Does it do it on a freeway or very flat road / carpark?

    • cloudy on 28/05/2025 - 21:19

      Does it do it on a freeway or very flat road / carpark?

      Yes to flat roads, I usually hold on tigher on freeways, but I might try letting go when safe to see.

      But I usually let go on slower roads, ie 50-60km straights.

      • Protractor on 28/05/2025 - 22:12
        +10

        I usually let go on slower roads

        God help us

      • apsilon on 29/05/2025 - 05:26
        +2

        There's very few flat roads, they're supposed to be cambered for drainage. Sometimes there's very little camber or even cambered just to one side. Get a wheel alignment anyway, you should be doing that regularly anyway so it won't hurt but unless this is something new that the car has just started doing, road camber is likely the answer. Just hold the steering wheel like you're supposed to.

    • LanceVance on 28/05/2025 - 21:34

      This can affect some cars more than others. I used to have this but to the left when driving on suburban streets on roads with a steeper camber. Given yours is doing it in both directions I'd suspect more likely to be worn or mis-aligned components.

    • Dr Phil on 29/05/2025 - 09:27
      -5

      Sorry but this is irrelevent
      The car has the problem..not the road

      • GordonD on 29/05/2025 - 10:15
        +2

        The car has the problem..not the road

        You're right, the road doesn't have a "problem" if its cambered. They need to be to drain water off. But its not irrelevant because it can shed light on what the problem is with the car.

  • MS Paint on 28/05/2025 - 21:19
    +2

    As above plus knackered inner tie rods or tie rod ball joints could also have you drifting all over the road.

    • Protractor on 28/05/2025 - 22:09
      +1

      Based on the vacuum of info, and which car it is,it could also be an idler arm or steering rack,seizing front brake calipers,shit condition tyres, and a least a dozen other things. Including the worst mech problem of all.Overthinking the symptoms and under informing the peers.

    • OzBoganer on 29/05/2025 - 00:26

      drifting all over the road

      This requires sports tyres on the front and eco tyres on the rear.

      • MS Paint on 29/05/2025 - 14:34
        +1

        This is an old reference for such a new member. I'm suspicious.

  • arkie0 on 28/05/2025 - 21:34

    What car is it?

  • George Washington on 28/05/2025 - 21:35
    +1

    wouldnt happen to the ozbargin camry/corolla

    • 30year old Camry on 28/05/2025 - 21:41
      +2

      I can confirm an empty tissue box on the rear parcel shelf can cause this problem.

      • George Washington on 28/05/2025 - 21:59
        +4

        uneven weight distribution move tissue box to the center

      • Ade99 on 29/05/2025 - 07:50

        similar issue with my fluffy dice hanging from my rear view mirror until I re hung them…

  • Euphemistic on 28/05/2025 - 21:53
    +1

    Get it checked asap. Start with a wheel alignment, be prepared for something worn in the suspension/steering area.

  • Protractor on 28/05/2025 - 22:04
    +4

    It's the nut behind the wheel.
    Also the fact this almost normal phenomenon (dead straight roads are still cambered) has surprised you I think you should sell the car & use public transport.

  • oscargamer on 28/05/2025 - 22:31

    Road camber

  • JIMB0 on 29/05/2025 - 00:17

    Cheap tyres can pull to one side. Does it have Winruns on it?

  • bbinc on 29/05/2025 - 08:45
    +1

    FGS. So good you are asking OZB and not bothering a car mechanic.
    We’ll fix it, ‘n it’ll cost you nothing.

    • LFO on 29/05/2025 - 10:20

      Well, better free than paying to a car mechanic to get absolutely the same.
      Or worse. Nothing could be broken when asking …

  • kohno83 on 29/05/2025 - 09:14

    First step is to bring it in to a tyre shop (not a dealer or a workshop)… They'll check on the tyre wear and definitely do a wheel alignment..

    They will usually be able to tell whether there's anything wrong with the suspension, linkbars, etc anyway when carrying out the alignment. Some tyre places can sort that out for your too, else, off to a workshop.

  • 2esc on 29/05/2025 - 09:21
    +1

    Get a wheel alignment they will inform you if problems.

    Anything else is speculation.

    • AustriaBargain on 29/05/2025 - 09:55

      He knows there is a problem already, it's pulling slightly to the left.

      • LFO on 29/05/2025 - 10:18

        And to the right.

        Typical with inexperienced voters.

      • Protractor on 29/05/2025 - 10:18

        and then some.

  • wannagrababargain on 29/05/2025 - 09:31
    +1

    It's fairly normal. Your car is following the camber of the road. Some alignment settings can help with the feeling of straight line stability at the expense of increased tyre wear. Some cars are set up to drive straight while on the left side of the road for our left driving country which would actually make the car otherwise veer right on a perfectly flat surface. It's a balancing act that all manufacturers and tyre shops have a different opinion on.

  • LFO on 29/05/2025 - 10:16

    Blame it on the road.
    Slanted to one side or the other (rainwater issues).

    If possible drive the same stretch of road on both directions to confirm.

    Research and experimentation always wins.
    Ain't easy but it is a winner.

  • Protractor on 29/05/2025 - 10:19
    -1

    Uncle Ian?!

    Uncle Ian???!

  • Baysew on 29/05/2025 - 10:47
    +2

    Lane keeping assist.

  • racer1234 on 29/05/2025 - 16:51

    Check your tyre pressures. Then wheel alignment and suspension inspection. Could also be a dragging brake.

  • doctordv8 on 30/05/2025 - 21:59
    +1

    Nothing. It is Road Camber. Basic driving knowledge usually…. miss that class or poor instruction perhaps?

    A Wheel alignment without corresponding tyre wear is not OzBargaining.

    Throw your money away at your peril.

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