Problem With Front Caliper?
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Problem With Front Caliper?
When towing the 5th wheel if I have to get on the brakes a bit hard the truck pulls to the left. Normal (gentle) braking it tracks straight. Applying the trailer brakes alone it stops straight so I don’t think it’s the trailer’s brakes. I suspect one of the front brake pistons may be stuck in the right side caliper.
I’d like to hear your opinions.
Also, is there an issue replacing one caliper only?
I’d like to hear your opinions.
Also, is there an issue replacing one caliper only?
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From: Stephensville WI
FWIW: I had an F-150 that had a fairly bad pull while braking. I went through the front brakes but it continued to pull to right under braking. It seemed the more forceful the braking the more it pulled.
I finally admitted defeat and had a brake specialist at a tire/suspension shop look at the truck. He looked at the truck and told me the brakes were fine, no issues. Now I was even more puzzled. He went on to explain the cause of the pulling while braking was the front tires, a condition known as RADIAL PULL.
You can Google that if you want the technical explanation, all I know is that they rotated the tires front to back and the pull vanished.
I finally admitted defeat and had a brake specialist at a tire/suspension shop look at the truck. He looked at the truck and told me the brakes were fine, no issues. Now I was even more puzzled. He went on to explain the cause of the pulling while braking was the front tires, a condition known as RADIAL PULL.
You can Google that if you want the technical explanation, all I know is that they rotated the tires front to back and the pull vanished.
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Dog and Red, thanks for your input! Was kinda thinking I should replace them in pairs.
“Radial Pull”, I’d never heard of it. I read the info you forwarded and it’s very interesting. I’m thinking that’s not my issue tho since I’ve noticed this behavior before and after a tire rotation and it only shows up under heavy braking with the 5th in tow.
I also noticed I didn’t identify my truck, ‘13 F-350 SB 2WD 6.7, I doubt that sheds any additional light on my problem but there you are.
“Radial Pull”, I’d never heard of it. I read the info you forwarded and it’s very interesting. I’m thinking that’s not my issue tho since I’ve noticed this behavior before and after a tire rotation and it only shows up under heavy braking with the 5th in tow.
I also noticed I didn’t identify my truck, ‘13 F-350 SB 2WD 6.7, I doubt that sheds any additional light on my problem but there you are.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
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Sounds the typical and very common issue of stuck slide pins on the brake caliper.
Very easy to fix. Remove pins, clean them well, lube them up and re-install.
I had the same issue, pull to one side. After fixing the pins it completely resolved the issue.
If you've kept the brake fluid clean I seriously doubt the brake lines are bad.
While you are cleaning the slide pins, bleed the calipers.
Very easy to fix. Remove pins, clean them well, lube them up and re-install.
I had the same issue, pull to one side. After fixing the pins it completely resolved the issue.
If you've kept the brake fluid clean I seriously doubt the brake lines are bad.
While you are cleaning the slide pins, bleed the calipers.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
Sounds the typical and very common issue of stuck slide pins on the brake caliper.
Very easy to fix. Remove pins, clean them well, lube them up and re-install.
I had the same issue, pull to one side. After fixing the pins it completely resolved the issue.
If you've kept the brake fluid clean I seriously doubt the brake lines are bad.
While you are cleaning the slide pins, bleed the calipers.
Very easy to fix. Remove pins, clean them well, lube them up and re-install.
I had the same issue, pull to one side. After fixing the pins it completely resolved the issue.
If you've kept the brake fluid clean I seriously doubt the brake lines are bad.
While you are cleaning the slide pins, bleed the calipers.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 922
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The harder you brake the more noticeable it is.
You should clean and lube them anyways if it hasn't been done for a long time.
You should clean and lube them anyways if it hasn't been done for a long time.
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RedHorse1, did you end up getting the braking issue resolved?
I’ve got a 2000 F250 that pulls hard left when braking. Took it in and the mech said right front brake caliper wasn’t grabbing at all, so I had him replace the caliper. No issue for about 4 days then started happing again. Mech then said it might be my ball joints. Took it to another shop and he said the new caliper wasn’t grabbing. I doubt the new caliper is bad, so beginning to think I have an issue with my ABS module. Thoughts?
I’ve got a 2000 F250 that pulls hard left when braking. Took it in and the mech said right front brake caliper wasn’t grabbing at all, so I had him replace the caliper. No issue for about 4 days then started happing again. Mech then said it might be my ball joints. Took it to another shop and he said the new caliper wasn’t grabbing. I doubt the new caliper is bad, so beginning to think I have an issue with my ABS module. Thoughts?
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Geek, thanks! I’ll put this on my “do” list.
Dino, no it’s still going on. Do you have ball joints? I figure you have I beams which doesn’t have ball joints (I think). It’s odd that the new caliper worked for a bit. There’s folks probably better equipped to help sort this out than me. Hope some of them will check in.
Dino, no it’s still going on. Do you have ball joints? I figure you have I beams which doesn’t have ball joints (I think). It’s odd that the new caliper worked for a bit. There’s folks probably better equipped to help sort this out than me. Hope some of them will check in.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
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Geek, thanks! I’ll put this on my “do” list.
Dino, no it’s still going on. Do you have ball joints? I figure you have I beams which doesn’t have ball joints (I think). It’s odd that the new caliper worked for a bit. There’s folks probably better equipped to help sort this out than me. Hope some of them will check in.
Dino, no it’s still going on. Do you have ball joints? I figure you have I beams which doesn’t have ball joints (I think). It’s odd that the new caliper worked for a bit. There’s folks probably better equipped to help sort this out than me. Hope some of them will check in.
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