okay guys, on my 86' I am having some trouble getting the brakes just right. It pulls hard left when you need to make a sudden stop. Its not very noticable when just coming to a normal stop though. Here is what I have done since discovering the issue: New tires, wheel alignment, New hubs/rotors and wheel bearings, new brake pads up front.

Now I didn't put all that money and work into it just to fix that problem, I was going to do all that anyways. I figured that the problem would iron itself out by doing all this work though.

So after all that new stuff it still pulls hard left under a hard stop. What gives? Any clues? calipers? proportionaing valve? fluid? I dunno at this point. Thanks for any help.

 

had the same issue once ended up being a ball joint that was bad. jack it up remove the wheel and jerk on her hard to see if there is any play and or just replace Hope it helps

 

Since you have an alignment done, they *should* have checked for any parts that have a bit of wear, and reported them to you. Of course, they also may not have gotten everything set properly.
Could just be a caliper that's a bit sticky, either internally or where it slides on the spindle.

 

Also with checking the front calipers, check your rear brakes.

If something as simple as the left rear is adjusted tighter than the right, it can cause a pull to the left. Steering brakes on large equipment uses the same principle.

Also check for worn or cracked pads or shoes, warped drums or rotors, leaking or sticking brake calipers or cylinders, contaminated brake fluid or air in the system. Sticking parking brake cables etc....

 

Okay, I will check all the ball joints and tie rod ends later this evening. The alignment has a warranty so I can get them to fix it if they didn't warn me about worn out parts. I will keep yall posted.

 

Check it from a cold start in the morning right after you start out. It may be better cold than after you have driven it a few miles. If one of the calipers is sticking, it will overheat and not stop the truck, so the one that actually is working is the one that is pulling the truck. The one that is overheating because it's stuck is the one that is not doing anything when you press the brake. The calipers sticking is a very common problem with these trucks. The bore behind the piston gets rusty and when you squeeze the pistons back for the new pads to fit, the piston goes right over the rust and sticks.

 

The truck was pulling hard left before I replaced the brake pads. So I don't think its a stuck caliper from compressing the piston back in....hmmm....I am going to check those ball joints and tie rod ends first. Then move to the back brakes. When I step hard on the brake the front end almost steps out to the left. Just using my gut and mechanical experience I would say the problem is in the front of the truck. Today is our wedding anniversary so I will probably be busy relaxing in the new pool I had installed yesterday for an aniversary gift...now that there is a pool I might not ever get around to fixing anything! Hahaha

 

OH, i just remembered when they adjusted the alignment they said they were unable to adjust chamber, just toe. Can the chamber be causing this? How do you adust the chamber on these trucks, I haven't really looked at the front suspension much to figure it out yet.

 

With the twin I Beam, they would have to use spacers and washers at the A Frame axle pivot bushings. Or have the I beams bent back into shape.

It's not a usual adjustment to say the least.

Usually if the camber or Caster is out, you need new components. New bushings, wheel bearings, Twin I beam pivot bushings, new springs etc... Which they should have spotted. What was the Caster, Camber and Toe specs on your truck? They should have at least given you readings on paper of before and after.

I can give you factory specs on what it should be if you tell me your trucks ride hight, and the axle engineering number stamped on the axles. Most likely D7UA-BB.

Minimum to maximum ride hight stock is: between 2" and 4 3/4". Yours should fall somewhere in the middle, using stock tires. Measure top of axle to bottom of frame etc...

A auto accident can cause it too, why the bending or extra washers are usually used as it cannot be adjusted using normal means.

This should cause the truck to pull all the time though, and not just when the brakes are applied.

 

Your truck is an 86, so it has ball joints. Any place that says they cannot set the camber/caster on a ball joint I-beam suspension, is just plain lazy. It's the king pin I-beams that are a royal pain to set, but they went away (in the F100/F150) after 81.

 

Good catch, I assumed, (yeah I know the old saying) that it would have had King Pins because of what the alignment shop stated. The only valid reason why they cant do it.

So I looked it up in my books, anything after a build date of 8/81 had Ball Joint systems on the F-100/F-150. F-250/F-350 had King Pins longer.

The alignment shop was either lazy or ignorant of which front end system he has on his truck. Unless king pin I-beams have been swapped into his truck, it's got ball joints. Those are completely adjustable.

I'd find another alighnment shop that knows what they are doing, or wants to do the work...

 

Cool info, I wasn't aware of the exact build date cutoff for the king pins. All I knew was 80/81 were king pins, and every 82+ (1/2 ton) I have ever seen all had ball joints. I reckon 8/81 would be the cutoff for 81, and anything built after that would have been badged as an 82.

 

Remember it's only pulling when you hit the brakes correct? So if it was a suspension component, it would have to be loose or introduce play when the brakes are applied. Otherwise, I believe it to be a brake problem. Drive it and see if one of the front wheels is hotter than the other.

 

could be a bad rubber brake line to the caliper that's not pulling. I have had them stuck on, and not release from a bad rubber line.

 

Okay guys. I am going to go ahead and say I need to rebuild the front end. I know its due for that anyways. I already replaced the hubs and wheel bearings. So, can any of you tell me exactly what parts to get? What I mean is, can you give me a list of parts to go buy, and I can stay after work one day and use the shop to take everything apart and rebuild it.

Here are pictures of the front suspension

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[IMG]<a href="http://s1044.photobucket.com/albums/b441/hollynicholececil/?action=view&amp;current=DSC_1732.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b441/hollynicholececil/DSC_1732.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]