Car pulls - Brakes or Suspension
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Car pulls - Brakes or Suspension
OK. I searched the archives and can't find anything directly on point.
My Corvette is a '68 427/390. I have a problem that my car pulls severely to the left whenever I apply the brakes. I have gone through the brake system and rebuilt both front calipers as I suspected either the right front caliper was not grabbing or that the left caliper was grabbing too quickly (the obvious first suspect). I also changed all four of the brake hoses and bled the brakes. This did not solve the problem although the brakes feel very good.
A friend of mine fairly well versed in maintaining cars told me that if the steering wheel is straight when I brake but the car still pulls, then I have a suspension issue and not a brake problem. The car was aligned less than a month ago. When driving down the road, the car tracks straight as an arrow but when the brakes are applied, on a straight road, the car pulls severely left but the steering wheel remains straight ahead. I am about to tear into the front suspension but wanted to get opinions/ideas from the Forum. Do you guys think this is a suspension issue or should I still suspect the brakes? Thanks for any replies.
My Corvette is a '68 427/390. I have a problem that my car pulls severely to the left whenever I apply the brakes. I have gone through the brake system and rebuilt both front calipers as I suspected either the right front caliper was not grabbing or that the left caliper was grabbing too quickly (the obvious first suspect). I also changed all four of the brake hoses and bled the brakes. This did not solve the problem although the brakes feel very good.
A friend of mine fairly well versed in maintaining cars told me that if the steering wheel is straight when I brake but the car still pulls, then I have a suspension issue and not a brake problem. The car was aligned less than a month ago. When driving down the road, the car tracks straight as an arrow but when the brakes are applied, on a straight road, the car pulls severely left but the steering wheel remains straight ahead. I am about to tear into the front suspension but wanted to get opinions/ideas from the Forum. Do you guys think this is a suspension issue or should I still suspect the brakes? Thanks for any replies.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
A couple thoughts...
-Corvettes are 4 wheel steering cars. The problem may be in the rear.
-Most alignment shops don't properly align C3 Corvettes. The rear is too much work for the average shop to do right. So they charge a normal rate, and only adjust the front toe and camber. Sometimes they will adjust the rear camber, but rarely will adjust the rear toe. If the alignment didn't take them half a day, then chances are you didn't get it done right.
-Another reason a '68 will pull- sometimes the power steering will move on it's own. I don't think this is your problem.. but it's just one of the many demons in our beloved cars I thould I should bring up
~Jay
-Corvettes are 4 wheel steering cars. The problem may be in the rear.
-Most alignment shops don't properly align C3 Corvettes. The rear is too much work for the average shop to do right. So they charge a normal rate, and only adjust the front toe and camber. Sometimes they will adjust the rear camber, but rarely will adjust the rear toe. If the alignment didn't take them half a day, then chances are you didn't get it done right.
-Another reason a '68 will pull- sometimes the power steering will move on it's own. I don't think this is your problem.. but it's just one of the many demons in our beloved cars I thould I should bring up
~Jay
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Thanks for the thoughts. I have a regular shop that I have brought the car to for years (Gran Turismo in Atlanta, GA), they do a good job on the alignment and very highly regarded in the area. It actually took about 3 hours to do the alignment last time I brought it in. Anyway, I got the printout and the rear toe and camber were adjusted and are now in spec.
I would normally suspect the rear but the pull is too severe, I think. And it can't be my power steering because I have manual steering.
So, you guys are thinking more suspension than brakes?
I would normally suspect the rear but the pull is too severe, I think. And it can't be my power steering because I have manual steering.
So, you guys are thinking more suspension than brakes?
Last edited by BB68Vett; Jun 29, 2006 at 03:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
I had a similar issue. After replacing brake calipers, lines, etc.. the problem was still there. turns out the lower a-arm bolt was loose. the large one. When I applied the brakes the lower arm shaft would move and change the direction of the wheel.
robert
robert
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Prior comment is correct, don't overlook what you think is right, something may be shifting under load.
That said, silly as this sounds I have experienced it first hand, tire pull. In desperation I swapped the front tires side to side and it freakin stopped straight. I replaced the tires at that point becuase I was concerned there was something wrong in the cords and didn't trust it to not seperate.
That was not on a vette, but sure it could happen to any suspension setup.
That said, silly as this sounds I have experienced it first hand, tire pull. In desperation I swapped the front tires side to side and it freakin stopped straight. I replaced the tires at that point becuase I was concerned there was something wrong in the cords and didn't trust it to not seperate.
That was not on a vette, but sure it could happen to any suspension setup.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
My 70 454 pulled to the right even after i changed the calipers.I brought it to a good alignment shop,even though 6 months earlier i had one done.This guy did a tremendous job and now when i hit the brakes it is straight as an arrow.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Dollars to doughnuts, what happened is the shime came out when the bolt jiggled it's way loose, which is why I hold mine in with a dap of black RTV, so I don't loose the shim pack....just find the correct amount/thickness of shims to tap into the place on the upper inner controll arm shaft and tighten down the nut tighter than whale puzzy...and that's waterproof....
glue it down along with rest of the shim packs, and you good to go...
GENE
glue it down along with rest of the shim packs, and you good to go...
GENE
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
OK guys. Thanks for the comments. The problem didn't arise after the alignment, I had it aligned because I figured I needed to eliminate that as an issue.
There were some really good ideas, I will check the A-arm bolts but I am leaning toward worn A-arm bushings. The last time I did the A-arm bushings was 20 years ago. I am thinking the A-arms or an A-arm is shifting under load as was mentioned. I will also check all of the shim packs front and rear for tightness.
With respect to a tire pulling, I would think that the steering wheel would be turning as well. My steering wheel is straight ahead when the car is pulling to the left. Thanks again.
There were some really good ideas, I will check the A-arm bolts but I am leaning toward worn A-arm bushings. The last time I did the A-arm bushings was 20 years ago. I am thinking the A-arms or an A-arm is shifting under load as was mentioned. I will also check all of the shim packs front and rear for tightness.
With respect to a tire pulling, I would think that the steering wheel would be turning as well. My steering wheel is straight ahead when the car is pulling to the left. Thanks again.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by BB68Vett
With respect to a tire pulling, I would think that the steering wheel would be turning as well. My steering wheel is straight ahead when the car is pulling to the left. Thanks again.
check the bolts, shims, and bushings..
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Originally Posted by Bluewasp
My steering wheel never moved. It was always straight ahead that is why I assumed brakes, but i was wrong.
check the bolts, shims, and bushings..
check the bolts, shims, and bushings..
GENE
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
My reference was that if it was a tire pulling or a brake problem, it would probably shift/move the steering wheel. Since it doesn't move the steering wheel and I am sure the alignment is within spec., I am leaning toward A-arm bushings. I just can't think of anything else.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by BB68Vett
My reference was that if it was a tire pulling or a brake problem, it would probably shift/move the steering wheel. Since it doesn't move the steering wheel and I am sure the alignment is within spec., I am leaning toward A-arm bushings. I just can't think of anything else.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Worn out bushings and an alignment within spec are mutually exclusive. The movement in the bushings will cause the alignment settings to wander all over the place. A good alignment tech will never align a car with worn-out bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc. - the alignment will never stay.
