What causes "radial tire pull" in vehicles?

Radial tire pull is primarily caused by tire conicity, which refers to a slight cone shape in the tire construction that can lead to uneven contact with the road surface. When a tire has conicity, it will tend to pull to one side due to the way it interacts with the suspension and alignment of the vehicle. This pulling effect can be exacerbated by factors such as differences in tire pressures or even variations in tread wear.

Tire conicity can result from manufacturing tolerances or defects, and its impact on vehicle handling can be significant, especially during straight-line driving. As the tire rotates, the conical shape can create an imbalanced force that makes the vehicle drift toward one direction. Correcting this issue might involve replacing the tire or sometimes rotating it to a different position on the vehicle to see if the pull changes.

Understanding tire conicity is crucial in diagnosing steering and suspension problems, as it directly influences how tires perform together as a set. Proper identification of radial tire pull caused by this factor is essential for effective alignment and handling corrections.