'79 Pulls To Right Except When Braking
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Warren Ohio
'79 Pulls To Right Except When Braking
My '79 just had a front end alignment. It was way out of specs. Before and after the alignment and with new tires it still pulls to the right when driving. When brakes are applied it drives straight with no pulling. My mechanic says that I either have a bad brake hose or a sticking caliper on the right side. I had replaced the hoses about a year ago and couldn't find any sign that the caliper was stuck when I pulled it off to check it. P.O. had installed stainless calipers and there was no sign of a kinked brake hose. Anybody have any ideas??
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 97
From: VT
last october, i drove my new '79 home with nearly no brakes (pedal to the floor, pulled to the right). i replaced all the calipers and pads, drained/cleaned out the brake fluid reservoir, completely flushed the gunky brake fluid, replaced a rubber hose (front, right) and a steel line (left, rear). i pulled and cleaned the rotors, sanded the braking surfaces, painted what wasn't sanded. then i serviced the front wheel bearings and replaced the seals. luckily, the PO had the spindle bearings done <1000miles prior, along with complete refresh of the parking brake.
a hard pedal, stops straight, no probs. you may need to repeat this, depending on your cars' history. anyhow..............
your mechanic may be right.
i'd jack up the front, and spin both wheels, checking for a stuck caliper. caliper could be stuck (caliper body not moving freely on the slides) or a caliper piston could be stuck in the bore (not retracting).
you could have a collapsed brake hose on the left side. crack the bleeder and watch for a good jet of fluid while the brake pedal is depressed. then bleed the brakes.
repeat on the rear.
prob not related, but when was the last time wheel bearings were serviced?
a hard pedal, stops straight, no probs. you may need to repeat this, depending on your cars' history. anyhow..............
your mechanic may be right.
i'd jack up the front, and spin both wheels, checking for a stuck caliper. caliper could be stuck (caliper body not moving freely on the slides) or a caliper piston could be stuck in the bore (not retracting).
you could have a collapsed brake hose on the left side. crack the bleeder and watch for a good jet of fluid while the brake pedal is depressed. then bleed the brakes.
repeat on the rear.
prob not related, but when was the last time wheel bearings were serviced?
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
If you have power steering it could be that. If your control valve is not adjusted correctly it'll force the car to turn one way or another.
Chock the rear wheels and jack the front end up so the front wheels are off the ground.
Start the car.
If the steering wheel starts turning all by itself, it's your power steering control valve.
This is something I need to fix on my car; just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Chock the rear wheels and jack the front end up so the front wheels are off the ground.
Start the car.
If the steering wheel starts turning all by itself, it's your power steering control valve.
This is something I need to fix on my car; just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Warren Ohio
Thanks for the tips! Front wheels do spin free when jacked up. Never even thought about the power steering control valve. I previously did replace the control valve, hoses, pump, and cylinder. I'll try the steering test next. Can the control valve be adjusted?
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
Adjustment of the control valve is actually rather easy. Basically it just involves turning a nut clockwise, or counter-clockwise, until the valve is in a neutral position. There's a how-to in the Chassis Service manual: I actually have the page marked for when I get around to doing it. I'm at work right now but when I get home I'll get back on here and give you the page#.
Alternatively, Willcox has a guide here, though there are no pictures. Not that you really need them, but I know I generally like picture references.
If you don't have an AIM or Chassis Service Manual I suggest buying them: they are both invaluable references when working on these cars. See Here for a list of recommended literature you should consider buying, if you don't have any already.
Alternatively, Willcox has a guide here, though there are no pictures. Not that you really need them, but I know I generally like picture references.
If you don't have an AIM or Chassis Service Manual I suggest buying them: they are both invaluable references when working on these cars. See Here for a list of recommended literature you should consider buying, if you don't have any already.
Last edited by Kris Tunetso; Aug 7, 2014 at 01:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 1,593
Also check your rear suspension and alignment. My 71 was a pig, and all over the road, especially under power. Rear trailing arm bushings and wheel bearings were shot. Had them rebuilt, and aligned, and the car drives straight.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Warren Ohio
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Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
I just realized you have a 79, so the page number might not be the same as in my 74 manual, but its page 9-66. Hopefully that helps. If not, I already posted Willcox's guide and you can Google search for others.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
From: Warren Ohio
A big THANK YOU to all who took the time to respond and thanks also to Wilcox Corvette for putting out some great tech tips! My problem WAS the power steering control valve adjustment. Earlier I had rebuilt the whole assembly but since then I had replaced the idler arm and the front end had been aligned with equipment that was out of calibration. Tire replacement and a correct alignment solved the tire wear and the valve adjustment has cured the pulling to the right.
The old girl now goes where she's aimed!!!
The old girl now goes where she's aimed!!!
