Pulling L when braking question
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 23
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Pulling L when braking question
I have a '99 F350 w/ over 200k Kms. I don't drive it that much. This past summer I noticed when braking it got stuck and would pull to the left. I would have to pump several times to release it.
Got to a shop who said my left caliper, pad and rotor were done, maybe got stuck closed. Both front calipers and rotors were replaced. When they were done, I noticed the truck was pulling to the left when braking. Took it back, they said everything was fine and maybe needed a front end alignment. The steering was fine when driving in a straight line.
Took it to Ford shop who did document the problem (front left caliper closing more than right) and said I probably need a new master brake cylinder. Did not have that done, took it back to original shop who said that didn't make sense because the brake cylinder does not regulate "left vs right" instead, the entire brake system would go out.
They then replaced both calipers under warranty (i think because ford dealer documented problem). I'm still noticing the same problem under certain driving conditions.
Does it now make sense that I do need a new master break cylinder? Could this effect the front left more than the front right? Anything else anybody can think of? Thanks.
Got to a shop who said my left caliper, pad and rotor were done, maybe got stuck closed. Both front calipers and rotors were replaced. When they were done, I noticed the truck was pulling to the left when braking. Took it back, they said everything was fine and maybe needed a front end alignment. The steering was fine when driving in a straight line.
Took it to Ford shop who did document the problem (front left caliper closing more than right) and said I probably need a new master brake cylinder. Did not have that done, took it back to original shop who said that didn't make sense because the brake cylinder does not regulate "left vs right" instead, the entire brake system would go out.
They then replaced both calipers under warranty (i think because ford dealer documented problem). I'm still noticing the same problem under certain driving conditions.
Does it now make sense that I do need a new master break cylinder? Could this effect the front left more than the front right? Anything else anybody can think of? Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
Replace all rubber brake hoses for the Fronts...
small amount of rubber and junk collect in the hoses and become a little BALL.. and acts like a check valve in the brake line/hose...
have seen it many times... mostly in cars that SIT a lot...
small amount of rubber and junk collect in the hoses and become a little BALL.. and acts like a check valve in the brake line/hose...
have seen it many times... mostly in cars that SIT a lot...
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2014
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OK, thanks, sounds like I'll eliminate the M/C.
I don't think the rear breaks have been checked for this issue because when it does happen, it is such a sharp turn to the left. I didn't think the rear breaks could be causing this.
It' doesn't happen 100% of the time, of course.
Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. I'll have the rubber hoses checked, and the rear breaks. Glad to hear it's probably not a M/C issue.
Thanks again.
I don't think the rear breaks have been checked for this issue because when it does happen, it is such a sharp turn to the left. I didn't think the rear breaks could be causing this.
It' doesn't happen 100% of the time, of course.
Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. I'll have the rubber hoses checked, and the rear breaks. Glad to hear it's probably not a M/C issue.
Thanks again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Since the hoses have to be removed anyway and it doesn't make any sense to re-install them it does make sense to replace them.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Like mentioned above, check the rear brakes. Might be a bad rear caliper.
I know you have disc brakes, but on my old 96 F350 with drum brakes, I had a noticeable, but not severe, pull to the left when braking. When I inspected the rear brakes, I found that I had installed the right side star wheel in backwards. Each time I backed up, it would loosen up the right brake star wheel. It was then applying more left brake pressure than the right side and would pull to the left.
I know you have disc brakes, but on my old 96 F350 with drum brakes, I had a noticeable, but not severe, pull to the left when braking. When I inspected the rear brakes, I found that I had installed the right side star wheel in backwards. Each time I backed up, it would loosen up the right brake star wheel. It was then applying more left brake pressure than the right side and would pull to the left.
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 23
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an update
I forgot to post an update:
I took the truck to another brake specialist. After a long inspection, they decided to try to check if brake fluid was making it to both front calipers. When they unplugged the front right one, no fluid came out. Their theory was that when the front calipers were replaced, it was not bled properly and only air was getting to the front right caliper. If that wasn't the case, the only other option was replacing the master brake cylinder, even though they didn't know how that could direct fluid to the front left, but not front right.
They bled and filled up the brake system again. Sure enough, a few weeks later, the truck is leaning to the left again.
I haven't taken it back yet because of my schedule and I don't use it that much during this time of year.
I'll post an update when I do take it back.
I took the truck to another brake specialist. After a long inspection, they decided to try to check if brake fluid was making it to both front calipers. When they unplugged the front right one, no fluid came out. Their theory was that when the front calipers were replaced, it was not bled properly and only air was getting to the front right caliper. If that wasn't the case, the only other option was replacing the master brake cylinder, even though they didn't know how that could direct fluid to the front left, but not front right.
They bled and filled up the brake system again. Sure enough, a few weeks later, the truck is leaning to the left again.
I haven't taken it back yet because of my schedule and I don't use it that much during this time of year.
I'll post an update when I do take it back.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
I'm not sure how, why, or what, but when I put new stainless flex lines on my Excursion the right front would not bleed. I was underneath it and my buddy said he had to STAND on the brake pedal as hard as he could - pulling the wheel with both hands - and no fluid was coming out except a dribble. I had the bleeder completely off the caliper. Finally after 3-4 hard pumps a huge spurt of brake fluid shot out and it was fine after that.
I used to work in a brake shop and I've bled a LOT of brakes. Never seen anything like that before.
I used to work in a brake shop and I've bled a LOT of brakes. Never seen anything like that before.
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2014
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I'm not sure how, why, or what, but when I put new stainless flex lines on my Excursion the right front would not bleed. I was underneath it and my buddy said he had to STAND on the brake pedal as hard as he could - pulling the wheel with both hands - and no fluid was coming out except a dribble. I had the bleeder completely off the caliper. Finally after 3-4 hard pumps a huge spurt of brake fluid shot out and it was fine after that.
I used to work in a brake shop and I've bled a LOT of brakes. Never seen anything like that before.
I used to work in a brake shop and I've bled a LOT of brakes. Never seen anything like that before.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 2
From: SW ON, Canada
From what I understand ... what he told you doesn't make sense. Bleeding the brakes is not done through gravity ... it is done using brake pedal pressure (pumping). So, not sure how some ups and downs in the hard brake line will make it harder to bleed ... unless I'm missing something.
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