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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 01:48 PM
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My problem is when you hit the brakes firmly, it pulls to the right, what should I be looking for, I would appreciate any advice. (1972 Corvette)
I've had the car about 3 months (really nice car)
Thanks, Jerry
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 02:21 PM
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mine were doing exactly what you describe and i ended up replacing the 4 calipers with rebuilt ss lined loaded ones.replaced the 4 flex hoses and bled the system repeatedly.this was the only way i was able to stop the pulling completely. it was mostly the calipers in my case.if the pads are contaminated or flex hoses weak pulling might occur.
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 02:28 PM
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Also could be alignment and/or tires.....


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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by MrJlr
...Also could be alignment and/or tires...
Yep.

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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 07:09 PM
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You might be getting more braking action on the right side than the left. Possible causes are:
Leaking fluid on the left side.
Stuck caliper piston on right side (not retracting and heating up the brake pads)
Bad hose on right side not allowing caliper to retract
Stuck caliper piston on the left side (not pressing the pads against the rotor)

If any of those has been going on for a lot of miles then you should see the pads more worn on one side than the other.
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by gozsgranie
My problem is when you hit the brakes firmly, it pulls to the right, what should I be looking for?
I would be looking for a wet tire (obviously on the inside), past that I would closely look at the flex hoses.
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by redvetracr
I would be looking for a wet tire (obviously on the inside), past that I would closely look at the flex hoses.
Ditto
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 07:39 AM
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It certainly could be the caliper binding up or a plugged up hose. Let me know if you are looking at replacing the calipers and if you have any questions.

Andrew
800-442-0335
http://www.muskegonbrake.com
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by my 76 ray
You might be getting more braking action on the right side than the left. Possible causes are:
Leaking fluid on the left side.
Stuck caliper piston on right side (not retracting and heating up the brake pads)
Bad hose on right side not allowing caliper to retract
Stuck caliper piston on the left side (not pressing the pads against the rotor)

If any of those has been going on for a lot of miles then you should see the pads more worn on one side than the other.
On mine, a leaky left front caliper created that condition. Check your brake fluid level and, as others have suggested, inspect for wetness around all the calipers.

I upgraded to O-ring pistons (already had SS sleeved calipers) and no problems since.
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Old Jan 4, 2013 | 11:15 PM
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If it has recently had work on the ft brakes, check to make sure the pads are the same type, mine pulled to the left.

Does it pull more when you get the brakes hot, the warmer my brakes got the more it pulled. Difference in pad Autozone/Advance .
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Old Jan 5, 2013 | 02:02 AM
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Everyone above is right.... and then some

It can be anything:
bad tire
bad shock
bad ball joints
bad tie rods (any of them, no matter front, rear, right or left)
broken spring
faulty piston in the brake calipers
oil on the brake shoe (any brake shoe)
glazed pads or overheated rotor(s)
bad or loose roll bars
broken frame, cross member, or even motor mount

to diagnose:
get the car up on a ramp if possible (the type used for alignments where the tires are still holding the car up)
look for leaks - antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid that is near a brake shoe
take a large pry bar and test every joint by prying on them - not huge effort, if something doesn't look right -it isn't
check the rear suspension as well because it literally could be any of them.

If those checks fail to bring up the issue:
check the body mounts and motor/transmission mounts

If those checks fail:
put the car up, off its wheels and check the bearings,
pay close attention to the trailing arm bushings

hopefully it's something simple, but if you methodically go through each suspension point, you should find it.

and the super benefit is; you'll know your car stem to stern so you'll see problems before the happen
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