Why Is My Car Lower on One Side? How to Fix It

Why is my car lower on one side is a common question and the causes, most of the time, are inconsistent tire pressure and bad suspension components. It could also be that your passenger side was designed to be lower than the driver’s.

Unless caused by a factory defect, having a car lower on one side can be alarming. This article discusses why your vehicle is lower on one side and how to fix this problem.

Why Is Your Vehicle Lower on One Side?

Your vehicle is lower on one side because of factory design, a contorted chassis, or uneven passenger weight. It could also be possible that there’s uneven pressure on either tire, a problem with the string and strut, or a faulty brake system.

– Manufacturing Design

Although quite rare, your car is lower on one side because the manufacturer made it that way. Many claim that most cars have lower passenger seats because it bridges the gap between the wheels and the car’s bodywork. In another vehicle, the fuel tank location could be slightly lower than other parts of the vehicle.

– Issues With the Factory Camber Settings

If you’ve ever had to change your car’s suspension, there’s a high chance you may have messed with the camber’s factory setting.

Hence, the inward and outward tilt of the car tires and wheel assembly will be affected. The factory camber setting could also be messed up if your car was involved in an accident with a forceful impact.

– Uneven Tire Pressure

An uneven tire pressure is a common reason your car is lower on one side. Uneven tire pressure happens when some tires are underinflated or overinflated. Those tires will distort the vehicle’s height, causing it to be lower on one side. Aside from this, uneven tire pressure increases the chances of tire wear.

– Faulty Brake System

If you notice your car leans lower on one side, it could result from a faulty brake system: stuck brake calipers, damaged brake hose, and problematic brake guide pins. If your brake calipers become stuck, a tilt in your car’s alignment is inevitable. Similarly, an improperly installed brake will also affect your vehicle’s alignment, causing it to be lower on one side.

– Worn Out Struts and Spring

The spring and struts are essential suspension parts. The spring provides a cushioning effect for the car when it hits objects on the road. On the other hand, struts, also known as shock absorbers, reduce the impact of collision and bumps while limiting spring movement.

When either of these becomes too worn or damaged, it can cause your car to tilt low on one side. You will also notice that driving becomes uncomfortable with many rattling noises.

– Worn or Contorted Chassis

Worn or contorted chassis are common reasons your car appears lower on one end. The chassis is a housing or frame for the engine, suspension, transmission, running gear, etc. Significant causes of damage to the chassis are natural wear or forceful collision. When this happens, you’ll notice a severe misalignment, especially in the front area of your vehicle.

– Defective Steering Linkage

A defective steering linkage can also cause your car to sit lower on one side. Your steering components can get defective from natural wear or when you drive roughly, hit curbs, or make sharp turns.

A weak tire rod, for instance, will interfere with the steering operation. You may also notice that your steering wheel becomes loose or functions erratically.

– Tire Conicity

If your car is misaligned, it doesn’t necessarily have to do with uneven tire pressure. Tire conicity or radial tire pull, a factory defect, is where properly inflated tires cause the car to pull to one side. Unfortunately, you may not notice a radial tire pull until you start driving.

– Stress Cracks

Another common cause of misaligned vehicles is stress cracks. Over time, your vehicle’s body can get worn and even have cracks in the wheel area. In this case, the wheels will continuously rub on these cracks. Subsequently, your tire contact patches will become pinched.

In some cases, the wheels may get stuck and cause your car to pull slightly lower on one end.

– Uneven Passenger Weight

An imbalance in the passenger weight will make your car sit lower on one end. For instance, carrying a huge passenger at a time can cause your vehicle to tilt to one side. Similarly, towing heavy items that are not well placed can cause your car to appear lower on the end where the bulk of the weight is situated.

Solutions To Fix Your Vehicle if It’s Lower on One Side

Some solutions to fix your vehicle if it’s lower on one side include restoring camber factory settings, proper tire inflation, and replacing worn suspension components. You may also need to fix the brake system and any steering-related issues and avoid hauling heavy items as well.

– Restore Camber Factory Settings

You can realign the height of your vehicle correctly by restoring the camber factory settings. Fixing the camber factor setting can be very difficult unless you have the technical knowledge to do it accurately.

We recommend contacting a professional mechanic or taking your car to the nearest auto repair shop to resolve the issue. Ensure Tires Are Properly Inflated

You would need to ensure your tires are inflated so that they’re even. Doing so will improve wheel alignment and ensure the vehicle’s weight is evenly distributed. It will also make your tires more durable. Evenly inflated tires will also reduce the chances of an accident occurring.

– Fix Brake System

Fixing the brake system is essential to improve the alignment and performance of your vehicle. You should fix these immediately if you’re dealing with a stuck brake caliper or a damaged brake hose.

You may also want to check the guide pins to be sure they’re well-lubricated to avoid corrosion. Finally, consult a professional mechanic to be sure the brake is installed correctly.

– Replace Worn or Damaged Suspension Components

Another essential solution to fixing a misaligned vehicle is to replace worn or damaged suspension components. If your spring and strut don’t work, you should replace them immediately.

 

New springs and shock absorbers will help restore your vehicle’s standard height. You may also check if other components, like the ball joint or axles, are in good shape.

– Replace Chassis

You may also need to replace the chassis if it is worn or distorted. A new chassis will not only restore the vehicle’s alignment, but will also improve your driving experience. You can also be confident that driving with a new chassis offers significant safety benefits compared to going with a bad chassis.

– Fix Steering-related Issues

You may need to fix all components of the steering that may be contributing to a bent car. Inspect the tire rods, steering column, racks, and shaft. If any of these do not work correctly, you should replace them as soon as possible. You may also need to pay more attention to how you drive; it pays to drive responsibly.

– Avoid Excess Weight on Your Car

If you can, avoid placing excess weight on your car, especially if it’s small. This will only lower the car significantly and cause damage to the wheels. If you must haul heavy cargo on a small vehicle, ensure it is only for a short distance. That way, you protect your car’s components from damage.

Frequently Asked Question

– Why Is Your Car Looking Lower Than Normal?

Your car looks lower than normal because there’s a problem with your suspension components. It could be that your spring or strut is worn or damaged, or you may also be dealing with a flat tire. Driving in this state feels unsteady because the tire pressures are uneven.

Alternatively, your wheels may be stuck in car body cracks. There could also be a problem with some parts or steering.

Conclusion

Several factors can cause your car to be lower on one side.

Here is a summary of the key points discussed in this article:

• The causes of your car being lower on one side include uneven tire pressure and issues with the camber factory settings. It can also be caused by a defective suspension or excessive weight on the vehicle.
• You can fix this problem by ensuring your tires are properly inflated. You can also restore the camber settings and replace worn or damaged suspension components. If you can, avoid placing heavy weight on your wheels.
• Always consult a professional mechanic to give the proper diagnosis before repairs.

With the simple solutions provided in this article, you should be able to quickly carry out a proper vehicle realignment.