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Had my brakes redone around 5 years ago probably have around 5 to 6000 on them . Two years ago when I would take it out after setting for 5 months it would pull to the left when braking . After a few times out and braking hard it would go back to normal . This year it hasn't gone away stops good but pulls hard to the left . I just jacked it up and the front wheels are free no drag or wobble . Any idea what I can look for ?
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I have the same problem.
After sitting for a month the car will pull to one side when braking.
It stops pulling after using the brakes a few times.
I'm all ears for a solution.
Pulls left is worse than pulls right. It is more likely that the right side is not working than that the left side is stuck. Have someone push lightly on the brakes, and you may still be able to turn the right front wheel. My wife's car did this. The left front caliper had failed (pulled right). I replaced all four calipers and hoses.
Did you replace the hoses 5 years ago? Those can fail internally.
Check the (edit) RIGHT front caliper for weeping (including on the pads). Your problem is likely there.
Last edited by Bikespace; Jun 24, 2018 at 03:49 PM.
Reason: Left side, right side, whatever
NOT wanting to stir up any debates so I m just going to give what I have seen and experienced.
YES...the hose can be bad and cause this.
Also. I have installed enough lipped seal calipers that were NEW and when I go to press in the piston so I can get the pads in and the caliper on the rotor. ..The lipped sealed pistons slide easily will very little effort to get them to compress.
When I install a NEW brake caliper from a customer who wants to use the 'O' ring design and supplies them to me,. the amount effort for me to move the piston and get it to move is much greater. They will often times give a 'pop' sound and then begin to move,
SO...if your car is an 'O' ring caliper...it may take a bit of driving to get it to move again due to being stuck..
If your car is a lipped seal one that sits. It can either be like was written. A bad hose or the caliper is leaking.
OR...the caliper is sucking in air due to the rotor is out of spec for run-out. But that will often times show up in a brake pedal not 'feeling' right and seeming to get closer to the floor when pressed.
Fluid wasn't low , brake pedal hard , Had front of car up but no body to apply brakes . Didn't see any leaks , think its froze up . Will try that next . Replaced hoses when I did brake job .
I must have a self healing car . Last year my power steering was leaking , I cleaned it off and greased it and it hasn't leaked since checked it yesterday and it was still full . Today I took it on a 70 mile drive when I was pulling out the drive way I hit the brakes and the left front wheel locked and skidded , on the way back at about 40 mph I hit the brakes hard and the car stopped almost dead nuts straight . Time will tell .