Why is my vehicle pulling after installing new wheels and tires?

If your vehicle is pulling to one side after installing new wheels and tires, you are not alone. This is a relatively common issue after a wheel and tire swap and in most cases it is easy to diagnose and resolve. Here is a breakdown of the most common causes and what to do about them.

Tire pressure

One of the most common and easily overlooked causes of pulling after a new wheel and tire installation is uneven tire pressure. Here is what to check:

• Make sure all four tires are inflated to the same PSI as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer
• Even a small difference in tire pressure between the left and right side can cause your vehicle to pull toward the lower pressure tire
• Always check and adjust tire pressure after installing new wheels and tires before driving

Wheel and tire balance

If your wheels and tires are out of balance, you may experience pulling or vibration, especially at highway speeds. Here is what to know:

• If you ordered a wheel and tire package, your tires arrived already mounted and balanced before shipping
• However, balance can sometimes shift slightly during shipping and transit
• If you are experiencing pulling or vibration, visit a reputable wheel and tire shop to have your wheels and tires rebalanced
• Avoid going to a dealership for aftermarket sensor related issues as they often do not have the equipment to handle aftermarket products

Wheel alignment

Installing new wheels and tires, especially with a different offset or size than your factory setup, can affect your vehicle's alignment. Here is what to know:

• A wheel alignment ensures that all four wheels are pointing in the correct direction relative to each other and to the road
• Running a different offset or wider tire than your factory setup can affect your alignment settings and cause pulling
• It is generally recommended to have your alignment checked after installing new wheels and tires, especially if you have changed the offset or tire size significantly
• A local alignment shop can quickly check and correct your alignment if needed

Uneven torque on lug nuts

If lug nuts were not torqued evenly during installation, it can cause uneven seating of the wheel on the hub, which can result in pulling. Here is what to do:

• Check that all lug nuts are properly torqued to your vehicle's manufacturer recommended specifications
• Always torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a calibrated torque wrench
• Never use power tools or impact wrenches as they can cause uneven torque or damage to the lugs and studs
• Recheck your lug nut torque after the first 50 to 100 miles of driving

Directional tires mounted incorrectly

If your new tires are directional and were mounted in the wrong direction, this can cause pulling or handling issues. Here is what to check:

• Directional tires have a rotation arrow on the sidewall that indicates which direction the tire should rotate
• If a tire is mounted in the wrong direction, it will not perform as designed and can cause pulling or reduced traction
• Visit a wheel and tire shop to have the affected tire remounted in the correct direction if needed

Suspension or alignment components

In some cases, pulling after a new wheel and tire installation can be related to existing suspension or alignment issues that were not noticeable before the swap. Here is what to consider:

• Worn ball joints, tie rods, or other steering and suspension components can cause pulling and may have been aggravated by the new wheel and tire setup
• If pulling persists after checking tire pressure, balance, and alignment, have a trusted mechanic inspect your suspension and steering components

What should I do if pulling persists?

If you have checked all of the above and your vehicle is still pulling, contact us with your order number and a description of the issue and our team will work with you to help diagnose and resolve the problem!