Brakes pulling to side
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Brakes pulling to side
I have a 89 E-150 that has a recurring problem with the brakes pulling to the side. I have done the following:
Bled brakes numerous times.
Replaced calipers, pads, rotors, front hoses, wheel bearings, tires, rear wheel cylinders.
Adjusted rear brakes several times.
When I first start to drive, it brakes straight 3 or 4 times, then pulls to the left when brakes are applied after that.
The pulling went away for a couple of weeks after replacing pads and rotors, then came back with a vengeance.
Since it takes 3 or 4 stops for this to start, I don't think it's related to steering, suspension or alignment, all of which is in pretty good shape anyway.
Any suggestions, no matter how farfetched, would be welcome!
Bled brakes numerous times.
Replaced calipers, pads, rotors, front hoses, wheel bearings, tires, rear wheel cylinders.
Adjusted rear brakes several times.
When I first start to drive, it brakes straight 3 or 4 times, then pulls to the left when brakes are applied after that.
The pulling went away for a couple of weeks after replacing pads and rotors, then came back with a vengeance.
Since it takes 3 or 4 stops for this to start, I don't think it's related to steering, suspension or alignment, all of which is in pretty good shape anyway.
Any suggestions, no matter how farfetched, would be welcome!
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
Brakes pulling to side
c96, I just finished redoing the front brakes on my '92. I had similar issues as you when I bought this truck so hense the new brake job. I put on new rotors, calipers, pads, hoses,repack the bearings etc. When I pulled the old calipers off, the caliper support pins (those stainless steel diamond shaped caliper locating pins) were corroded and not letting the caliper float and caused the truck to pull. The bottom pin was even bent. The inside face of the rotor was wore big time. My new calipers came with new caliper support pins. What I did was lightly lube the new pins and grooves (and any other contact points) with Raybestos brake lube (just a skin coat, don't want any on the pads or rotor) and reassembled. The truck brakes like a dream now. Hopefully your 89 is similar to mine. Just something to check. P.S. Wasn't replacing that driver's side brake hose a treat? Hopefully the engineer who designed that is pushing a broom at GM!
Later, Charles
Later, Charles
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Brakes pulling to side
It's most likely in the rear brakes since they're more mechanical and less reliable. What have done when you "Adjusted rear brakes several times"? When you pull the drums off, is either of the autoadjuster cables slack?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Brakes pulling to side
Yeah, Red, I did the same as you, new pins, lightly lubricated. Worked great for a few hundred miles, don't think there's a problem there, it's something else, but thanks for the reply! BTW, I think all engineers should be required to work as mechanics for 5 years before working as engineers. Maybe these things would be a bit easier to maintain.
Steve, the adjuster cables have never been slack. What I did today was tighten up the adjustment on the right rear shoes to see if that would affect the pull to the left. No change. I wonder if I've got a whole new problem, contaminated rotors/pads or something. Been doing my own brakes for 25 years, never seen anything like this.
Steve, the adjuster cables have never been slack. What I did today was tighten up the adjustment on the right rear shoes to see if that would affect the pull to the left. No change. I wonder if I've got a whole new problem, contaminated rotors/pads or something. Been doing my own brakes for 25 years, never seen anything like this.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Brakes pulling to side
?????????????????
Since last post:
Cleaned rotors/pads-no change
Replaced drums/shoes in rear- no change
Replaced right front caliper again- no change
Mental stability...slipping....away....please...help..... .
Since last post:
Cleaned rotors/pads-no change
Replaced drums/shoes in rear- no change
Replaced right front caliper again- no change
Mental stability...slipping....away....please...help..... .
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: near harrisburg
Brakes pulling to side
I have had a simular issue with another vehicle. A VW Golf, I know it is not a Truck, Sorry.
The problem came from the master Cyclender. I had a valve sticking internally.
Have the MC checked or replaced
The problem came from the master Cyclender. I had a valve sticking internally.
Have the MC checked or replaced
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Brakes pulling to side
Thanks for the input, guys. The master cylinder output is one line to the front brakes and one to the rear, so there is no possibility of a side to side hydraulic imbalance involving the MC.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Brakes pulling to side
I would pull the whole assembly apart and anit-sieze the pins, it will last a whole lot longer that any other type of grease, do this every time you take it apart even if you just replace the pads and don't touch the rotors, I have a pulling problem in my 92 van it is just because I didn't follow my dads advice which I just gave you.....
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Brakes pulling to side
Yessir, I have been lubricating the pins.
Now an interesting thing happened this morning. I switched the pads across to see if the pull would follow the pads. What happened is, the truck stopped straight for the first couple of stops, as usual. Then the next couple of stops it pulled right a bit. (pulling left is the problem) Then it went straight again a couple of times. Then it settled back into the old familiar left pull. Wierd.
Now an interesting thing happened this morning. I switched the pads across to see if the pull would follow the pads. What happened is, the truck stopped straight for the first couple of stops, as usual. Then the next couple of stops it pulled right a bit. (pulling left is the problem) Then it went straight again a couple of times. Then it settled back into the old familiar left pull. Wierd.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Brakes pulling to side
Could one of the calipers be bad? Raise the front wheels off the ground apply the brakes and release. See if both wheels spin freely or if one does not release.
Clean the pads/rotors with brake cleaner to remove any grease or other material that can be on either.
Clean the pads/rotors with brake cleaner to remove any grease or other material that can be on either.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Brakes pulling to side
Not yet. It's been on the back burner due to fishing season, things like that, but I'm back into it and hopefully will have some useful info within the next few days. Will post.
Have you checked all that stuff suggested to me in this thread? The most common thing to cause this is a hanging caliper. I'd go after that first.
Have you checked all that stuff suggested to me in this thread? The most common thing to cause this is a hanging caliper. I'd go after that first.