Worry with brakes
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Worry with brakes
Hi everyone,
Got a quick question that you might be able to help me with. I just bought a '75 Stingray with T-tops. This is my first 'vette so I had no idea how they drove. Anyway, the brakes seem a little strange....whenever I brake the car seem to lurch to the right slightly. Any ideas what causes this? The guy I bought it off said that it had only been driven 500 miles of so in the last few years and that the brakes need bleeding. I just hope I don't need to spend a load of money right away!
Thanks,
Craig
Got a quick question that you might be able to help me with. I just bought a '75 Stingray with T-tops. This is my first 'vette so I had no idea how they drove. Anyway, the brakes seem a little strange....whenever I brake the car seem to lurch to the right slightly. Any ideas what causes this? The guy I bought it off said that it had only been driven 500 miles of so in the last few years and that the brakes need bleeding. I just hope I don't need to spend a load of money right away!
Thanks,
Craig
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Originally Posted by craigbaker
I just hope I don't need to spend a load of money right away!
Thanks,
Craig
Thanks,
Craig
I am hoping the same thing for you, but the odds are not in your favor. Even if the brakes are fine you will need to spend money elsewhere.....once you accept it then its not soo bad. Start with bleeding the brakes and inspect the rotors and calipers and pads when you bleed the brakes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Brake diagnostics start with bleeding...sometimes fresh fluid will recondition the seals and stop the leaks. Sometimes the bleeder valves just need to be removed, cleaned, and re-installed. Sometimes the brake line nuts that attach the line to the calipers just need to be backed off, cleaned then retightened. But, most of the time a rebuilt caliper is needed.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Mason MI 82-93-04CE
If it hasn't been driven much it is going to have a few storage diseases. Brakes are one of them. All the above is correct
, but just for giggles, drive it carefully for a bit and give the caliper pistons a chance to free up and the rotors derust. Bleeding sure won't hurt, and a complete flush would even be better. Mine acts strange every spring, and after a few miles in town, and a few solid stops, it balances out nicely for the rest of the summer. Be Very careful until you are sure it won't do anything unexpected that you can't handle. Keep it slow for a bit. Good luck and enjoy your new toy..
, but just for giggles, drive it carefully for a bit and give the caliper pistons a chance to free up and the rotors derust. Bleeding sure won't hurt, and a complete flush would even be better. Mine acts strange every spring, and after a few miles in town, and a few solid stops, it balances out nicely for the rest of the summer. Be Very careful until you are sure it won't do anything unexpected that you can't handle. Keep it slow for a bit. Good luck and enjoy your new toy..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Usually, brakes pulling one direction means the other side isn't braking as well as the side pulling...if it hasn't been driven for a while, I agree with above....drive it carefully for a while, it may work itself out on it's own, least it did with my vette...and a good brake bleed would be good too...not expensive and may also be your problem..good luck 
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor MI
I have a similar problem. When I hit the brakes, there is a momentary pull on the steering wheel to the left, then everything smoothes out and the car stops well. The car itself doesn't really pull to the left, just the wheel jerks.
I've got my fingers crossed that bleeding the system and driving it some more might help. I didn't notice this happening when I was test driving the car. I just bought this 77, and it had been very infrequently used by the PO.
I've got my fingers crossed that bleeding the system and driving it some more might help. I didn't notice this happening when I was test driving the car. I just bought this 77, and it had been very infrequently used by the PO.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Kennesaw GA
If it is pulling to one side during braking, then it could be that the control arms are deflecting and the bushings are needing replacement. Definitly bleed them first and see if things get any better.
Is this car in original shape, or has someone done any work on it before?
Is this car in original shape, or has someone done any work on it before?
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
My car was the same. It went right when breaking , but the left rotor got really hot. The fault was a blocked brake tube on left side. All the pressure went to the right side. I did not find out until i had replaced both rotor and caliper on both sides and the problem continued.
New brake hose , bleeding and all fine ! Expensive learning .
New brake hose , bleeding and all fine ! Expensive learning .
