Today's Dumbest Question (Hands down)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Today's Dumbest Question (Hands down)
Okay. What exactly does it mean when you hit the brakes hard and your car pulls to the left or right. I notice my car does this a bit...
Yes, I know absolutely nothing about cars. And believe it or not, I'm pretty content about that. :p
Yes, I know absolutely nothing about cars. And believe it or not, I'm pretty content about that. :p
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: chandler az
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (Sal Collaziano)
not necessarily. you could have a bad tie rod or bushing that deflects on deceleration. But most likely it is air in one of the calipers. Air compresses and brake fluid does not - so there will be more pressure on the one with no air.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,676
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (Sal Collaziano)
If its pulling to one side, id start by replacing pads. Might be a good idea to check rotor thickness too. if it still does it, bleed the system.
it means learn to do the work on your car yourself, or you will continue to get ripped off by repair shops (sorry couldnt resist) :jester
it means learn to do the work on your car yourself, or you will continue to get ripped off by repair shops (sorry couldnt resist) :jester
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Surprise AZ
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (Sal Collaziano)
Hey, let’s not point the finger at the brake so soon; there are a lot of unknowns here. If the car in out of alignment, even a little bit, jamming the brakes is only going to magnify the problem. You could have uneven tire wear which points back to an alignment problem. As mentioned earlier, ball joints or tie rod ends could be going, bad shock or shocks, etc. You might want to bring the car to someone that specializes in vettes, and more importantly someone you trust. Avoid Midas, Meineke, Just Brakes and places like that. To them everything that comes in with brake issues needs rotors, pads and an alignment! :D Good luck!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (RM 4 TWO)
Thanks all. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.. Wierd.. But, the front tires are worn unevenly - so maybe that's contributing to the problem...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay Fl
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (RM 4 TWO)
I would guess that your rotor on that side is heating up, causing the brakes to slip. This is usually caused from a caliper that is binding so that it never lets go all the way.
One way to test is after you have driven and made a few stops, once the car is pulling to the side under braking, stop, get out, and either squirt a little water out of a windex type bottle on the wheel/rotor or just feel it with your hand (the WHEEL, not the rotor or you'll burn your hand off) If the side that it pulls to feels alot hotter than the other side then this is most probably your problem.
-Dave C.
One way to test is after you have driven and made a few stops, once the car is pulling to the side under braking, stop, get out, and either squirt a little water out of a windex type bottle on the wheel/rotor or just feel it with your hand (the WHEEL, not the rotor or you'll burn your hand off) If the side that it pulls to feels alot hotter than the other side then this is most probably your problem.
-Dave C.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 5
From: CASTLE ROCK CO
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (Sal Collaziano)
Does it pull both ways? At different times.
If it pulls left the swap the front tires and see if it pulls right.
While you got tire tire off see if you see anything funcky.
You don't have to be a mechanic to pull and take a look.
Once you have an idea of what you're talking about then you can probably bring it into a shop and not get ripped.
If it pulls left the swap the front tires and see if it pulls right.
While you got tire tire off see if you see anything funcky.
You don't have to be a mechanic to pull and take a look.
Once you have an idea of what you're talking about then you can probably bring it into a shop and not get ripped.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (Sal Collaziano)
Before you spend any money, is it random left/right? Is it perhaps that these cars are well known for tracking in ruts under braking? Almost every intersection in the USA has enough rut in the braking/approach area to send our cars darting around (exageration, but you get the point). Left or right is just a matter of where in the rut you are. It is important that if you're going to do any testing/fact finding you do it on various road surfaces. What you find out will be important to whoever does the work, if any is needed. That's how you avoid getting ripped off by service stations and internet shadetree mechanics.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (grapeknutz)
I disagree with it being a brake pressure problem.
The front brakes on your vette share the same fluid. If there is a bubble ANYWHERE in the fluid, it doesn't matter, equal pressure will always be applied to both brakes. Ask Newton.
I'd suspect maybe the pads are twisted or binding, or the caliper bolts need to be lubed. But... most lilkly it's not the brakes, but alignment. You can measure alignment yourself, all you need is flat ground, a small level, a measuring tape, and a ruler with small increments.
There is no danger in switching your tires temporarily, but i doubt that will tell you anything, unless one wheel is bent.
The front brakes on your vette share the same fluid. If there is a bubble ANYWHERE in the fluid, it doesn't matter, equal pressure will always be applied to both brakes. Ask Newton.
I'd suspect maybe the pads are twisted or binding, or the caliper bolts need to be lubed. But... most lilkly it's not the brakes, but alignment. You can measure alignment yourself, all you need is flat ground, a small level, a measuring tape, and a ruler with small increments.
There is no danger in switching your tires temporarily, but i doubt that will tell you anything, unless one wheel is bent.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 617
Likes: 14
From: Loudon, TN
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (Sal Collaziano)
Thanks all. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.. Wierd.. But, the front tires are worn unevenly - so maybe that's contributing to the problem...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 18
From: Panhandle FL
Re: Today's Dumbest Question (GlennS87)
I get tha tsometimes if the pavement is very uneven/rutty. Does it ever happen on smooth roads?
