Brake pulling
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Brake pulling
Took my car out today and noticed the car pulling left when braking. I decided to bleed the brakes to see if that would help. As I pulled off the front right wheel I noticed what looked like black grease splattered around the inside of the wheel. After bleeding all wheels the car still pulls a little to the left. My guess is the splattered grease on the inside of the front right wheel might be a clue.
Any ideas?
Ed
Any ideas?
Ed
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 395
From: Australia
Time for new front pads, repack the bearings and maybe new bearing caps.
It probably wouldn't hurt to replace the flexi lines while your at it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
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From: El Dorado Hills CA
Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,003
Likes: 1,509
From: Prescott Arizona
Ed - How old are your calipers? If you find greasy looking radial spray on the backside of the rim and tire, it could be a leaking caliper. Sometimes old brake fluid can turn dark and when it leaks out and mixes with road dust, it can look more like grease than brake fluid.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Mike T - Prescott AZ
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Ed - How old are your calipers? If you find greasy looking radial spray on the backside of the rim and tire, it could be a leaking caliper. Sometimes old brake fluid can turn dark and when it leaks out and mixes with road dust, it can look more like grease than brake fluid.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Mike T - Prescott AZ
I have DOT 5 brake fluid which is purple. This was black and was very different.
If it was grease from my bearings, how is it getting out? If the front cap is on I assume somehow it's coming through a seal on the back?
Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,003
Likes: 1,509
From: Prescott Arizona
Ed - I would have expected the rear grease seal to keep the grease contained but we're all guessing until you can tear it down enough to check it out. Did you notice any 'play' when you pulled the wheels up front?
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Ed
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 60
From: Buffalo New York
On my '66 with non power brakes I had a hard pull to the right after winter storage. The left front pads were hung up. I removed them and cleaned things up and they are just fine now. Something else to consider.
Dennis
Dennis
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Thanks. I don't think that's it because when I bled the brakes the week seemed to spin freely and all that black grease splattered on the inside of the wheel leads me to believe I have another issue.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 60
From: Buffalo New York
Dennis
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Update: I pulled off the wheel and quickly saw what appeared to be grease all over the rotor. So we now can confirm why the car is pulling left. What I'm not 100% sure of is whether it's grease or brake fluid.
I pulled off the caliper and have pictures attached.
First Questions is, how do I confirm if it''s brake fluid to not? If you look at the brake pads you can see that the paint is coming off which leads me to believe it is brake fluid.
One thing to consider is I did swap out my master several months ago and when I did I switched to DOT 5 synthetic fluid. Not sure if it's related or not.
Second question is if it is the caliper where can i get it restored?
Thanks for all the help!!
Ed
Rotor
Brake Pad
Caliper 1
Caliper 2
I pulled off the caliper and have pictures attached.
First Questions is, how do I confirm if it''s brake fluid to not? If you look at the brake pads you can see that the paint is coming off which leads me to believe it is brake fluid.
One thing to consider is I did swap out my master several months ago and when I did I switched to DOT 5 synthetic fluid. Not sure if it's related or not.
Second question is if it is the caliper where can i get it restored?
Thanks for all the help!!
Ed
Rotor
Brake Pad
Caliper 1
Caliper 2
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 1,283
From: Horsham Pa
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Rebuild them fast, better check the others, I say brake fluid because it removes paint and all the paint is off your pads. You must still have dot 3 fluid in your system, that is not ever good. Flush everything out.
Last edited by 65 Pro Vette; Sep 6, 2014 at 02:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,539
Likes: 1,972
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Brakes
Without question, the fluid you are seeing, is brake fluid. When you switched to synthetic fluid did you thoroughly flush the lines and calipers? You cannot mix the two fluids. Have the calipers ever been sleeved in stainless steel. If not, now is the time to have them sleeved. If they have been sleeved, consider rebuilding with O rings. I have done 6 cars with them and have had zero problems. I got mine from Vette Brakes and products. They are local for me. In any event a thorough flushing and cleaning of your system is in order. Good luck. Jerry