Why Is My Truck Pulling to the Right?
What’s Causing It, Why It Matters, and How to Fix It Before It Gets Worse
If your truck keeps pulling to the right, even on flat roads, don’t ignore it. It’s a mechanical issue—and one that’s quietly affecting your tires, steering, fuel economy, and safety. Whether the problem lies in your alignment, suspension, brakes, or tires, that steady drift is your truck’s way of telling you something is off.
At Tim’s Automotive in Clackamas, we specialize in diagnosing and correcting these kinds of problems with precision. If your truck is veering off-course, here’s what could be causing it—and why it’s worth fixing right away.
A Truck That Pulls Is a Truck Out of Balance
When your vehicle is aligned properly and mechanically sound, it should drive straight with minimal steering correction. But if your truck drifts to the right, especially under acceleration or braking, it means one side of the vehicle is creating more resistance than the other.
Over time, this leads to:
Here are the most common causes—and how we fix each one.
1. Wheel Alignment Is Off
Misalignment is the most common reason trucks pull to the right. It only takes a small shift in your suspension geometry—usually caused by potholes, curb strikes, or long-term wear—to create a constant drift.
Signs of misalignment include:
At Tim’s Automotive, we use precision alignment equipment to measure and correct all key angles: camber, caster, and toe. This ensures your wheels are perfectly positioned for safety, handling, and tire longevity.
2. Uneven Tire Pressure
A low tire on the right side increases drag, causing your truck to pull in that direction. It’s one of the simplest causes—and one of the easiest to overlook.
Why it happens:
Our technicians check and correct tire pressure across all four wheels, then inspect for any damage or irregularities. A few minutes of tire care can prevent thousands in tire and alignment wear.
3. Sticking Brake Caliper
If the pull only happens during braking, the issue is likely a dragging or seized brake caliper. When one side applies more braking force than the other, the vehicle pulls toward the stronger side—in this case, the right.
Additional signs:
Uneven brake pad wear
Excessive brake dust on one wheel
Burning smell near the wheel
Brake pedal vibration or resistance
We thoroughly inspect your calipers, pads, and rotors to ensure balanced braking performance and safe stopping power.
4. Worn Suspension or Steering Components
Even with a perfect alignment, worn or damaged suspension parts can cause your truck to pull. Tie rods, ball joints, control arms, and bushings all hold your front end in place. If one side has play or weakness, your truck will drift.
Symptoms include:
Clunks or rattles over bumps
Sloppy or delayed steering response
Uneven ride height
Progressive worsening of the pull
We don’t guess. We put your suspension and steering under load to detect wear and identify hidden issues before they turn into expensive failures.
5. Tire Tread Problems or Internal Defects
A tire can look fine on the outside but still be the root cause. Internal belt separation, high spots, or uneven tread can throw off your truck’s balance—causing a steady pull that gets worse at speed.
Often caused by:
Skipped tire rotations
Long-term underinflation
Impact damage
Manufacturer defects
We remove and inspect all tires, measuring for tread depth, wear patterns, and internal consistency. If a tire is the problem, we’ll show you exactly what’s happening.
6. Road Slope or Load Shift
Many Oregon roads are slightly sloped for drainage—especially in older or rural areas. A slight drift on these crowned roads is expected. But if the pull happens everywhere—on highways, parking lots, or under braking—it’s not the road. It’s your truck.
We road-test every vehicle under multiple conditions to isolate surface-related drift from mechanical issues, so you’re never left guessing.
Don’t Wait Until It Becomes a Bigger Problem
A pulling truck is a warning—and it only gets worse the longer you ignore it. What starts as a minor steering issue often leads to tire blowouts, brake failure, and expensive suspension repairs.
At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales, we do more than fix symptoms—we find and eliminate the root cause. You get expert service, honest communication, and repairs done right the first time.
Book Your Straight-Driving Inspection Today
Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales
15688 SE 135th Ave
Clackamas, OR 97015
(503) 656-0600
http://tims-automotive.com
If your truck is pulling to the right, don’t fight it at the wheel—fix it where it starts. Schedule your inspection today and let our experienced team bring your vehicle back into balance.
For more information please watch the video
https://youtu.be/qBOBHDmheH4