Why My Car Pulls to One Side When Braking: Do I Need Brake Service?

Why My Car Pulls to One Side When Braking: Do I Need Brake Service?

When braking, does your car pull to one side? This drifting to the right or left upon braking is a potentially dangerous problem. Sometimes the cause of problem is not a big one. However, take no gambles at all with your braking system. If you suspect your car or truck brakes are bad, immediately seek brake service. In Winston-Salem, NC, visit Cloverdale Auto Service for all your auto repair needs. Our auto mechanic technicians will get you back on the road safely and quickly.

How My Brake System Works

Your vehicle has one of the two types of brake systems. These are disc and drum. Both effectively stop your vehicle using resistance and friction when you apply the brakes. When you take your vehicle in for brake service, the ASE-certified technician checks all working parts to ensure they perform properly and show no defects. If you need new parts, your mechanic replaces the old ones and installs new parts to get you safely back on the road.

If you have drum brakes, your brake system includes a small round drum that rotates with the wheel. The drum has brake shoes within it. When you apply your brakes using the floor pedal, this forces the shoes against the drum’s sides. As a result, this slows the wheel.

If your vehicle has disc brakes, this system includes a disc-shaped rotor that spins inside the wheel. Applying your brakes causes a caliper to squeeze brake pads onto the disc, slowing the wheel.

Regardless of the type of brakes on your vehicle, you must take your car into a licensed mechanic for routine brake service. Otherwise, worn parts fail to work as they should and even damage other parts of the brake system. You need brake service at basically the same time as you have your tires rotated. This schedule is about every 7,500 miles.

Worn brake pads, damaged rotors or stuck calipers are among the leading potential causes of your car pulling to one side when braking. Not keeping up with your brake service schedule can also cause your car, truck or SUV to not stop as it should.

Potential Reasons Why Your Car Pulls to One Side When Braking

Problems within your brake system are among the leading potential causes of your car pulling to one side when braking. Overall, possible causes include:

  • Uneven tire pressure
  • Worn brake pads
  • Worn or warped rotors
  • Stuck caliper
  • Collapsed brake hose
  • Worn suspension parts

Your braking problems could come from something as simple as uneven tire pressure. Obviously, your mechanic fixes this problem in a hurry and sends you back on your way. But if you have worn, damaged or ineffective parts, you need parts replacement and a certified auto technician’s quality checks before you get in the driver’s seat again.

What to Expect from Your NC Brake Service

When you take your vehicle into a mechanic’s shop for brake service or because your vehicle pulls to one side when braking, you need an auto technician you can trust. After all, you need properly functioning brakes to keep you safe, alive and accident-free. If the problem is not your brakes, other parts causing this problem also need prompt and thorough care.

Your mechanic first listens to how you describe the problem of your vehicle pulling to one side when you apply the brakes. They use this information to consider possible root causes. Then they proceed through a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s brake system and wheels, to determine the actual problem. When they determine the cause of your car, truck or SUV pulling to one side, they report back to you and tell you what repairs your vehicle needs.

Brake service for a car pulling right or left when braking includes inspection of the following parts:

  • Brake pads and shoes
  • Rotor and drums
  • Hydraulic fluid
  • Calipers
  • Hardware, hoses and lines
  • Master cylinders
  • Wheel cylinders
  • Anti-lock system
  • Tires

Where can I get this brake service in Winston-Salem, NC?

Cloverdale Auto Service on Cloverdale Avenue in Winston-Salem provides brake system inspection and brake service you need to keep your vehicle safely driving its best. If you notice your car, truck or SUV pulling to one side when you apply the brakes, call us at 336-331-3448 to schedule your service today.

Cloverdale Auto Service