When driving on highways or main roads, the steering wheel …… pull left and right on its own.
The symptom of such a “rut” is one of the problems that are often consulted in VW cars.
This is not only due to the influence of the road surface, but also due to a combination of factors such as undercarriage, alignment, and tires.
Being sensitive to ruts is a sign that straightness is starting to collapse, and if left unattended, it can lead to uneven tire wear and reduced driving stability.
In this article, we will explain the causes and countermeasures of ruts, DIY checks, and estimated repair costs.\
▼Driving problem diagnosis guide▼
👉Comprehensive summary of causes of poor running
- Common symptoms
- There are four main causes (by structure)
- Cause (1): Misalignment (most common cause)
- Cause (2): Deterioration of lower arm bushings, stabilizers, etc.
- Cause (3): Posture is not stable due to loose shock absorbers
- Cause (4): Poor tire condition (groove shape, uneven wear, air pressure)
- Points that can be checked in DIY
- Is it okay to drive? (Urgency)
- Approximate repair cost
- Related parts to check at the same time
- Conclusion
- What to read next
- Defect details by vehicle type
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common symptoms
- The steering wheel is taken to the left and right in the rut
- The steering wheel center is not stable and flows subtly
- It is easy to become lightheaded when driving at high speeds
- It doesn’t bother me at low speeds, and the symptoms are strong only at high speeds.
- The feeling of tires trying to run along the grooves on the road surface
- Tires are often lost
There are four main causes (by structure)
- Misalignment (especially toe angle)
- Deterioration of the undercarriage bushing (lower arm stabilizer link)
- Shock/suspension stool (worsening of shaking)
- Poor tire condition (uneven wear, groove shape, pressure difference)
Cause (1): Misalignment (most common cause)
When does it happen?
- The steering wheel center is slightly misaligned
- Even if you run straight, it will move to the left and right
- Inner and outer tire reduction
Why do I have that symptom?
Alignment is the value that adjusts the direction of the car’s “feet”.
In particular, if the toe angle is off, the direction of the tire and the direction of the car body will not match, and it will be easy to be pulled into a rut.
Symptoms often appear after jacking up, bumps, and changing tires.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven tire wear progresses rapidly
- High-speed wobble
- The steering wheel is restless and tired easily
Cause (2): Deterioration of lower arm bushings, stabilizers, etc.
When does it happen?
- On the steps, “Kotokoto” and “Gissing”
- The steering wheel runs amok on rough road surfaces
- Wobblingness in ruts becomes particularly strong
Why do I have that symptom?
The rubber bushing plays the role of a “foundation” that keeps the position of the undercarriage accurate.
When this deteriorates, the movement of the arm becomes blurry, and the posture when going straight is disturbed, and it becomes strongly affected by ruts.
VW cars tend to be affected by bush deterioration because the undercarriage is delicate.
What happens if left unattended?
- Unstable straight
- Uneven tire wear
- Driving hazards due to bush breakage
Cause (3): Posture is not stable due to loose shock absorbers
When does it happen?
- The car body is easily shaken by uneven road surfaces
- Fluffy at high speed
- The shaking does not subside easily after the step
Why do I have that symptom?
When the shock deteriorates, the up and down shaking cannot be controlled, and
the car body cannot maintain its posture, making it easier for the car to be pulled along the rut groove.
What happens if left unattended?
- Greater shaking and unstable driving
- Increased braking distance
- The overall undercarriage deteriorates faster
Cause (4): Poor tire condition (groove shape, uneven wear, air pressure)
When does it happen?
- Only the inside of the tire is extremely reduced.
- Worn tires are more likely to be rutted
- The car pulls to one side due to the difference in air pressure
Why do I have that symptom?
The groove shape, stiffness, and wear of tires are directly related to the behavior of the steering wheel.
In particular, if there is uneven wear, the tires will move as if they are stuck in the grooves of the road surface, so they react sensitively to ruts.
If the air pressure is different on the left and right, the contact area will change, and there will always be symptoms of slipping to one side.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven wear is further
- Danger of the worst burst
- Straightness is extremely deteriorating
Points that can be checked in DIY
- Tire pressure (the same on the left and right)
- The difference between tire fragmentation and beard remainder
- Steering wheel center position on flat surfaces
- Abnormal noise over steps
- How symptoms change at high or low speeds (note it)
*Jacking up and undercarriage inspection are dangerous, so do not overdo it.
Is it okay to drive? (Urgency)
- Can be driven for a while: slight air pressure difference and mild uneven wear
- Risk of worsening symptoms: misalignment and bush deterioration
- Driving NG (towing recommended): Symptoms of shock oil leakage, large suspension rattling, and loss of control at high speeds
When a driving problem occurs, it may be necessary to tow the truck depending on the situation.
In these cases, it may be covered by road assistance or riders of automobile insurance, so it is safe to lightly review the contents of your current contract.
If you may not have a proper understanding of the coverage, you can use a comparison service to check the coverage details and premiums of multiple companies at once. Since you can get a complete picture in a short time, many people use it for repairs and inspections.
👉 Free Car Insurance Bulk Quote Service
Approximate repair cost
| Work Description | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Alignment Adjustment | 10,000 to 18,000 yen |
| Lower Arm Bushing Replacement | 20,000 to 45,000 yen |
| Stabilize link replacement | 10,000 to 20,000 yen |
| Shock absorber replacement | 60,000 to 120,000 yen |
| Tire Change | 30,000 to 80,000 yen |
| Air pressure adjustment | Free to 1,000 yen |
| Diagnosis fee | 5,000 to 10,000 yen |
You can scroll
*If you adjust the symptoms while they are mild, there are many cases where the problem can be resolved without replacing parts.
👉Summary of maintenance and custom costs & working days of VW specialty store Nile Plus
Related parts to check at the same time
- Lower Arm Bushing
- Tie Rod
- Hub Bearings
- Stabilize Link
- Shock mount
- Tire condition (uneven wear)
- Alignment angle (especially toe angle)
▼List of individual pages about undercarriage repair and maintenance▼
Conclusion
Most of the causes of ruts on the road surface are misalignment, deterioration of the undercarriage bushing, loose shocks, and poor tire condition.
VW has a delicate undercarriage, so be careful if you become sensitive to ruts. If left unattended, uneven wear, poor straight driving, and high-speed wobble will worsen.
It is most effective to have the alignment adjustment and undercarriage inspection mild.
Even if the symptoms are similar, the causes vary from vehicle to vehicle.
Even if there are similar abnormal noises and malfunctions, there are various causes such as turbo belts and sensors.
If you are unsure, it is safe to have it inspected at a maintenance shop without overdoing it.
What to read next
Please proceed to the article below that best describes your symptoms.
- Steering Wheel Jerks on Bumps? How to Diagnose Undercarriage Rattles and Play
- Steering Wheel Flutter at High Speed: Causes and Loss of Straight-Line Stability
- Steering Wheel Pulls to One Side: Alignment vs Tire Issues and How to Tell
- Car Pulled by Road Surface Bumps? Causes of Tramlining in VW and How to Fix It
- Why Won’t My Car Drive Straight and Why Is It Making Noise? Common Causes Explained
- Causes of increased steering play|If you feel “rattling” on the steering wheel
- Why Doesn’t My Car Track Straight After New Tires? Alignment and Setup Issues Explained
- Car Won’t Track Straight? Symptoms of Worn Undercarriage Bushings and How to Tell
- Why Doesn’t EPS Correct Steering? Straight-Line Instability in VW Without a Warning Light
- Car Feels Floaty or Unstable? Causes of Suspension Failure and Shock Wear Symptoms
Defect details by vehicle type
Although the “way of getting out” the defect is similar, “which model has many problems” is slightly different for each car model.
Trends by vehicle model and common breakdown cases among other owners are summarized on the following page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is it dangerous to be caught in a rut?
A1. Although it is rare to become unable to drive immediately, it is a sign that straightness is declining. If left unattended, it will lead to uneven wear, high-speed wobbling, braking instability, etc., and safety will be reduced. Early inspection is safe.
Q2. What should I check first?
A2. As much as you can do with DIY, it is effective to check “tire pressure”, “left and right difference”, “depletion”, and “steering wheel center misalignment”. If that doesn’t improve, alignment measurement is the first choice.
Q3. Can there be any improvements with alignment alone?
A3. If there is a slight misalignment or the bush deterioration has not yet progressed, there are many cases where the experience is greatly improved just by adjusting the alignment. It is cheaper to adjust the symptoms while they are mild.
Q4. Is it better to repair at a dealer or a specialty store?
A4. Both can be handled, but VW has a delicate undercarriage, so VW specialty stores that are accustomed to alignment and bush diagnosis tend to identify the cause faster. If you suspect multiple parts, you can rest assured that a specialty store is safe.
Q5. Is there anything that can be improved just by changing the tires?
A5. In tires with strong uneven wear or at the end of wear, rutting can be greatly reduced just by replacing them. However, if the cause is misalignment or bush deterioration, tire replacement alone will not fundamentally solve the problem.
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