Steered Molecular dynamics of a ligand moving towards bilayer membrane

GROMACS version: 2025.3
GROMACS modification: No
; Pull code
pull = yes
pull_ncoords = 1 ; only one reaction coordinate
pull_ngroups = 2 ; two groups defining one reaction coordinate
pull_group1_name = Chain_B(Memb)
pull_group2_name = Chain_A(Lig)
pull-pbc-ref-prev-step-com = yes
pull_coord1_type = umbrella ; harmonic potential
pull_coord1_geometry = cylinder ; simple distance increase
pull_coord1_dim = N N Y ; pull along z
pull_coord1_groups = 1 2 ; groups 1 (Chain A) and 2 (Chain B) define the reaction coordinate
pull-coord1-vec = 0.0 0.0 1.0
pull_coord1_start = yes ; define initial COM distance > 0
pull_coord1_rate = -0.0005 ; 0.01 nm per ps = 10 nm per ns
pull_coord1_k = 500 ; kJ mol^-1 nm^-2

These are my pulling simulation, i tried using negative sign in the pulling vectors but had no luck. I tried different combinations like direction , direction-periodic , cylinder. I interchanged the pull groups but eveerytime the ligand moves upwards i.e away from the membrane and then exits the box and enters the box from the opposite side. I tried reducing the rate and the force but no luck. When i had placed the ligand just above the membrane surface, I had no issues in getting the ligand pass and atleast reach the middle portion. But now since I intent to pull ligand from the water phase and then bring it toward the membrane , i fail in doing so. Any kind of advice at this point of time will be very helpfull. Thanks in advance!!!

Your pull rate is extremely small. It seems like you think it is nm/step, but it is nm/ps.

Your force constant is on the small side.