A car equipped with power steering pulls to the left after a proper alignment. What is the most likely cause?

A car that pulls to one side after being properly aligned can indicate an issue with steering components, and specifically in this case, the power steering gear is a likely culprit. The power steering gear plays a crucial role in translating the driver's input on the steering wheel into movement of the wheels. If the power steering gear is malfunctioning or has internal wear, it may assist in steering unevenly, leading the vehicle to pull to one side.

This pulling behavior can stem from several issues related to how the power steering gear interacts with the rack and pinion or how it distributes force while steering. For example, if the gear is binding or has uneven wear, it might exert more force on the left side than the right, causing the car to drift left.

Considering the other options, while the power steering pump is vital for supplying hydraulic pressure to the steering system, it would typically not cause a pull to one side unless it were failing to provide adequate pressure overall, which is less common. Likewise, the pitman arm is an important part of the steering linkage, but a faulty pitman arm would affect steering feel overall rather than cause a specific leftward pull. Overinflation of tires could alter handling characteristics, but it would usually cause different symptoms,