When I was running, the car …… to the right (left) even though the steering wheel was straight. When such symptoms appear, “Alignment misalignment?” or “Tire problem?” You may be worried.
In VW vehicles, “flow” can occur due to multiple factors such as alignment, tires, undercarriage bushings, and hub bearings.
If it is mild, it is caused by air pressure and tire condition, but if left unattended, it may lead to uneven wear and loss of straight-line stability.
In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the causes and distinguishing between the left and right flows, 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 suspicious)
- Cause (2): Poor tire condition (pressure difference, uneven wear, difference in hardness)
- Cause (3): The reference position shifts due to deterioration of the lower arm bush
- Cause (4): Hub bearing wear (pulled to one side)
- 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
- When you release the steering wheel, the car moves to the right (left)
- Difficult to go straight, always need to correct the rudder
- Easy to get caught in ruts
- Symptoms are stronger at a higher speed than at a low speed
- Tire chips may be seen
- There may be light vibrations and abnormal noises at the same time.
There are four main causes (by structure)
- Alignment misalignment (toe, camber)
- Tire left and right differences (air pressure, uneven wear, product differences)
- Deterioration of the lower arm bushing (reference position of the undercarriage is off)
- Hub bearing wear (pulling to one side)
Cause (1): Misalignment (most suspicious)
When does it happen?
- The steering wheel center is slightly misaligned
- Difficult to drive straight
- Tires are unevenly worn
Why do I have that symptom?
Alignment is an important value that determines the “tire direction”.
If any of the toe angle, camber angle, or caster angle is misaligned,
the symptom of running as if being pulled to either the left or right will occur.
VW has a delicate undercarriage, and even a few millimeters of deviation can affect its behavior.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven tire wear progresses rapidly
- Increased wobble at high speeds
- The steering wheel is always restless
Cause (2): Poor tire condition (pressure difference, uneven wear, difference in hardness)
When does it happen?
- Tire reduction/outer reduction
- Strongly taken in ruts
- New tires on one side / Old tires on one side
Why do I have that symptom?
Tires strongly affect the direction of the car.
- Air pressure flows to the lower side
- Uneven wear tires are prone to grooves on the road surface.
- If the brand and wear level are different on the left and right, there will be a difference in handling.
In particular, VW has a large load on the front wheels, so the tire habit behaves as it is.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven wear is further
- Loss of straight-line stability
- Worst of all, the risk of bursts
Cause (3): The reference position shifts due to deterioration of the lower arm bush
When does it happen?
- On the steps, “Kotokoto” and “Gissing”
- Flows stronger in ruts
- Initial steering response is sluggish
Why do I have that symptom?
If the lower arm bushing deteriorates,
the arm will be misaligned, and the tire angle will not be stable when driving straight.
As a result, it is easier to lean on either side or left, which can cause flow.
What happens if left unattended?
- Uneven tire wear
- Worse handling
- Dangerous driving due to bush rupture
Cause (4): Hub bearing wear (pulled to one side)
When does it happen?
- “Go” and “Warn” at 40 to 80 km/h
- Sound changes in curve direction
- Strong force to lean to one side
Why do I have that symptom?
The bearing is the axis of the tire. When
worn, the rotation does not go smoothly, and
the wear side becomes a resistance and the car may flow there.
What happens if left unattended?
- The noise is getting louder and louder
- Increased driving resistance
- Worst bearing sticking→ not running
Points that can be checked in DIY
- Align the air pressure on the left and right sides (be sure to check first)
- Uneven tire wear (internal and external reduction)
- Do the left and right tire brands, wear conditions, and manufacturing years match?
- Checking the steering wheel center on a flat surface
- The direction of flow when you slowly let go of your hand
- Intensity of symptoms by speed (note and tell the factory)
*Judging the rattle of the undercarriage and bearings is difficult to DIY, so do not overdo it.
Is it okay to drive? (Urgency)
- Can be driven for a while: Slight pressure difference, tire loss
- Risk of worsening symptoms: misalignment and lower arm bush deterioration
- Driving NG (towing recommended): Loud noise on the hub bearing/misalignment that interferes with driving
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 |
| Tire change (for 1 car) | 30,000 to 80,000 yen |
| Lower Arm Bushing Replacement | 20,000 to 45,000 yen |
| Hub Bearing Replacement | 25,000 to 45,000 yen |
| Air pressure adjustment | Free to 1,000 yen |
| Diagnosis fee | 5,000 to 10,000 yen |
You can scroll
*In many cases, it will be improved by alignment + tire condition review.
👉Summary of maintenance and custom costs & working days of VW specialty store Nile Plus
Related parts to check at the same time
- Tie Rod Ends
- Lower Arm Bushing
- Hub Bearings
- Shock absorbers
- Stabilize Link
- Alignment angle (toe, camber)
▼List of individual pages about undercarriage repair and maintenance▼
Conclusion
The most common cause of the steering wheel flowing to the right (left) is misalignment and tire condition.
In addition, deterioration of the lower arm bushing and hub bearings can also cause symptoms of leaning to one side.
If left unattended, uneven wear and straight-line failures will worsen, so checking air pressure and measuring alignment as soon as possible can protect safety and cost.
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 there a way to tell which is the cause, misalignment or uneven tire wear?
A. First, check the air pressure and tire wear condition, and if it still does not improve, there is a high possibility of alignment. In particular, if it flows immediately after running, it tends to be more affected by alignment, and if the flow becomes stronger as the speed increases, it tends to be affected by tires.
Q2. Will it flow more easily if I put a new tire on only one side?
A. Yes. If the degree of wear and hardness are different on the left and right, it will affect the straightness and may cause flow. Front-wheel drive VWs are particularly susceptible, so it is basically desirable to replace the left and right sets.
Q3. Is it okay to keep running even if the steering wheel is flowing?
A. It can be driven if it is mild, but if left unattended, uneven wear will progress rapidly, and bushing deterioration and bearing wear may also occur. In particular, the flow at high speed is very dangerous and requires early inspection.
Q4. How often should I adjust the alignment?
A. There is no clear cycle, but it is generally performed when the timing of tire changes, bump collisions, curb contact, and discomfort in the flow or steering wheel center occur.
Q5. What is the first step to isolate the cause in DIY?
A. The first priority is to “align the air pressure on the left and right”. On top of that, it is easier to determine the approximate direction by checking whether there is uneven wear, the difference in tire manufacturing year and brand, and the steering wheel center on flat roads.
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