So I just switched back to my summer tires from my winters, and after putting them on I've noticed a bit of a pull to the left.


This pull was not there at all with the winters on, and the pull only happens when I'm driving 30km/h or lower with the summers on. Any faster, and it drives straight as an arrow when my hands are off the wheel.

Winters are 175 and summers are 205 width fwiw. Inflation is even on both sides. I also did an alignment less than 6 months ago.

I'm wondering if its a brake caliper issue, it doesn't yank when I brake, so who knows.

Anyone have any ideas what the issue could be?

 

I'd rotate the tires and see if it still pulls. If yes then have the alignment checked. If no then something strange with the tire wear pattern.

If the wheels/tires are different sizes summer to winter and the alignment was done on the winter set maybe that had something to do with it. Or it was that block of ice you hit in January.

 

make sure you pressure up the tires correctly too.

i usually let my summer (or winter) set sit in the garage for at least a day, pressure it up to the right psi, then install on the car. this way sunlight (heat) will not affect it.

 

Hmm, I did "rotate" my tires to their new positions since the last time they were on. They're single direction rotation, so the fronts from before are now on the back etc. Perhaps the thread wear was uneven, and I should wait for it to level out? FYI, there was an alignment issue the last time I had them on which I had fixed after I put the winters on.

Wheels are a different size, but the diameter should be very close. 175/65r15 to 205/45r17.

I'll keep regular checks on the pressure too. So far, everything looks even but maybe heat is affecting it.

Would any of that explain why it's only there at low speeds?

 

Cars change geometry as speed increases. At rest, the front tires are actually toed-in (toe-inned?) when aligned to spec as the forces at speed cause the front end to stretch a bit making the wheels parallel.

Or there's a weird wear pattern at work that you didn't notice until putting them back on in their new positions.

I'd have the alignment checked.

 

is you brake dragging at all? might explain the low speed only issue?

 

Interesting, I did not know the toe changes as speed increases. That would be a good explanation.

Would either of you recommend waiting for a few days to see if the wear evens out before checking the alignment? With all the potholes here, I suppose it could have been an alignment issue. It's just strange that with the winters on everything felt fine. I supposed the increased traction is what's making it noticeable now.



I was worried that it could be a brake thing, but I did not experience any additional pull while braking. It does feel reluctant to steer right though.


Thanks for your help.

 

yah, drive it around some and see. since you swapped the wheels/tires your contact patch difference from previous use might be giving you a little bit of drag.

or rotate it again to where it was previously and compare.

im not sure if toe changes that much at speed to where you will feel the difference in toe angles.

 

checking the shop manual toe is 0 (zero) when set correctly. My 2nd hand alignment stories are from the days of RWD only so toe-in isn't required. But there is play in suspension bushings etc. that gets exercised when under acceleration and speed that might change how it behaves between slower and higher speeds.

Front toe is the only easy adjustment. Camber adjustment bolts are available but should not normally be necessary. Caster isn't adjustable. There are no rear adjustments.

If it bothers you, you should have the alignment checked.

 

Thanks guys, I'll see how this plays out in the next week or so and if its still doing this ill get the alignment done.