pull to right with brakes
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
pull to right with brakes
Car tracks straight as an arrow while driving, but will jerk the steering wheel to the right when I hit the brakes. It doesnt' do it if I hit the brakes very lightly. Also it only pulls to the right when I first hit the brakes then it goes straght. I can even let go of the wheel after it first jerks to the right. I know typically when you have a brake pull to the right that the left caliper is usually bad. My problem is I know these calipers are famous for leaking, but both are dry as a bone. Where do they usually leak from, around the pistons? Naturally I've been driving the car all summer with no problems, but now, right before Carlisle, I have a problem. I've only got this week and next to get it fixed because I'm going to the beach the week before Carlisle. Any help or suggestions on what to look for would be great.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I've had a TA bushing replaced, the rear was jumping to the side with that problem. I wish I knew enough to have done that repair myself. This i'm almost 100% sure is a problem in the front end since I feel it in the steering wheel, where the bad TA bushing was not felt in the steering wheel.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cailpers can be leaking without puddling brake fluid on the drive or the backside of the rim. Pull the pads out of your problem caliper and check to see if there is fluid on the backside of the pads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
Usually when they leak they suck in air and don't necessarily leak juice on the caliper, this is caused by runout.
But if your pulling air in I would expect the pedal to be getting lower and lower
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Rhineland MO
Here is my theory:
1. When braking, make sure you put the same amount of pressure on the left foot as you did on the right foot.
2. You have uneven soles on the bottom of your shoes.
Just kidding guys.........
I would think the following:
1. Check your brake pad wear. Make sure they are both wearing evenly.
2. Check for a stuck piston in the left calliper. Could explain your delay.
3. Check to make sure you are getting the same amount brake fluid out of both callipers by bleeding one side at a time. This could be a sign of a collapsed brake line.
4. Check to make sure your rotors are real close to the same thickness.
Hope this helps......
1. When braking, make sure you put the same amount of pressure on the left foot as you did on the right foot.
2. You have uneven soles on the bottom of your shoes.
Just kidding guys.........
I would think the following:
1. Check your brake pad wear. Make sure they are both wearing evenly.
2. Check for a stuck piston in the left calliper. Could explain your delay.
3. Check to make sure you are getting the same amount brake fluid out of both callipers by bleeding one side at a time. This could be a sign of a collapsed brake line.
4. Check to make sure your rotors are real close to the same thickness.
Hope this helps......
Last edited by 75BrownC3; Aug 7, 2006 at 03:38 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
I had a similar problem that came on suddenly. When I hit the brakes there was a clunk and the wheel would jerk to the left. Turns out the left side upper rear stack of camber shims had fallen out.
The bolt was double nutted so apparently the idiot who aligned it for me didn't tighten things down very well. The other side was also fairly loose. Went to the parts store and stuck some new shims in and all is well now.
The bolt was double nutted so apparently the idiot who aligned it for me didn't tighten things down very well. The other side was also fairly loose. Went to the parts store and stuck some new shims in and all is well now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by C3 4ME
solid pedal every time, no fade at all.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Thanks for the ideas guys. Brand new pads, I just put them on the other night, I saw something on the old ones that I thought might be causing this problem, but obviosuly it didnt' fix it. I'm going over the guys house who helped me buy the car (he's forgotten more than I'll ever know) so hopefully we'll come up with a resolution. I have a a feeling I"m going to be replacing front calipers, so I'll definitely put new rubber lines on if that's the case.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 929
Likes: 5
From: Marietta GA
Look at the brakes first as the most obvious suspect, but I can tell you for sure that a pull as you describe can be caused by bad front control arm bushings. I had a severe pull to the left in my '68 and it turns out it was a wheel bearing problem (the inner bearing race was spinning in the hub). This to me sounds like a bad control arm bushing, a friend of mine had an identical issue with his Alfa where the car would jerk when you hit the brakes and then straighten out, and it was a bad control arm bushing.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I took it to the guys house last night for him to drive the car and the RF caliper all but locked up while he was driving it. It wasn't that bad before, but it got progressively worse in the 15 min drive to his house. Fortunately I was able to leave the car in his garage (right next to his 62!) New front calipers and hoses will be going on the car right away. Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I'm afraid now the car won't run after the new calipers because his garage is a luxury suite compared to my garage, and my car may not want to leave.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Originally Posted by C3 4ME
I'm afraid now the car won't run after the new calipers because his garage is a luxury suite compared to my garage, and my car may not want to leave.
I'd highly recommend getting the VBP O ring calipers. I've got a set on the front of mine & they're totally maintainance & trouble free (unlike the stockers on the back
).
