Front brakes pulling badly

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Dec 29, 2005 | 01:28 PM

islandlife

Thread Starter

8th Gear

Joined: Dec 2005

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Front brakes pulling badly

My second post...

1980 fastback with t-tops. Had a mechanic replace all 4 rotors, 4 brake hose lines, and 2 front calipers. Now the car pulls heavily (right) when braking. My mechanic did the best he knew and is out of ideas.

Any suggestions from the group?

"Too dangerous to drive fast"

Dec 29, 2005 | 01:33 PM

big_G

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 5,752

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From: Austin Texas

The problem can be 2 things. A blocked brake line or sticking pistons on the left front caliper.

Dec 29, 2005 | 01:37 PM

Glass Act

Melting Slicks

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From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_G

The problem can be 2 things. A blocked brake line or sticking pistons on the left front caliper.

Take it back to the mechanic, tell him to fix it right this time.

Dec 29, 2005 | 07:36 PM

MYBAD79

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 5,269

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From: Orlando Florida

St. Jude Donor '05

The mechanic is already out of ideas ???

- check if the calipers leak

- remove the caliper, remove the pads, push the pedal and check if all pistons move - push pistons slowly back into the caliper and 'feel' how easy they move

- If pistons don't move freely remove brake line from caliper...push pedal (slowly) and see if fluid drips from that line

g/l

Last edited by MYBAD79; Dec 29, 2005 at 07:38 PM. Reason: spelling - one or two p in calip(p)er LOL

Dec 29, 2005 | 08:10 PM

stingraymaniac

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Umeå Sweden

did he get all the air out of the system??

Dec 30, 2005 | 12:03 PM

Bigredwing

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Leonardtown Maryland

I am working on the same problem on my '82. I did all my own brake work some years ago and installed stainless sleeved calipers , new lines, and DOT 5 fluid. Everything worked for a while until I replace my trailing arms and rotors. I bled the whole system gat that time and have checked for leaks. The car did/has set for a while so the possiblity is a left front caliper. One thing I noticed is that the left front hub could be spun more easily than the right. With everything still assembled I can retract the disk pads by hand and they slowly return to their static positions. I also removed the pads and noticed what looked like an oily sheen so I cleaned them with a commercial brake cleaning product. Then after reassembly they both seemed to spin and stop about the same. Unfortunately when I drove the car it still pulled to the right. My next step will be to pull the caliper and check for blockage in the lines or caliper internals. I'm a little worried about blowing the pistons out. Is that a possiblity and if so what precautions should I take? Thanks.

Dec 30, 2005 | 12:14 PM

Bigredwing

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Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Leonardtown Maryland

I've also read that pulling can be a result of front end suspension damage, worn out parts, miss-matched tires, low air pressure. What condition is yours in? Your mech may not have noticed a suspension problem or he may have installed something wrong. Good luck!
-Chris

Dec 30, 2005 | 12:38 PM

IDOXLR8

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,044

Likes: 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandlife

Assuming the suspention is ok and you have a good firm brake pedal I would say by the sound of what you saying about a heavy pull I would look to the front brakes. Check the easy things first kinked or damaged brake hoses on lines, condition on rotor and pads, missing or incorrectly installed hardware. Then have some one lightly push the brake petal just so the front wheels can turn and see if one is harder to turn then the other. My guess would be to install two new front brake hoses if you see the all the pistons move okay on both front calipers, AL.