Pulling Brakes
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: NJ
Pulling Brakes
I looking for some suggestions as to what to try next. I have a 94 Bronco that pulls to the left only under hard or high speed braking. The truck has had this problem since I've owned it. I've replaced Brake rotors,calipers (2 times),installed SS brake lines,all front end bushings(installed a 4" lift kit),ball joints.I have had wheel alignment bushings installed and the alignment is right on.I don't know what else could be causing this. The truck has 4 wheel ABS and I'm wondering if the problem could be caused by the ABS system. Does anyone know if I can just bypass the unit and go without the ABS(I hate it anyway)? Does the ABS unit double as a proportioning valve? Any advice or suggestion would be appreciated
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
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Pulling Brakes
Joe ,
What kind of caliper slide pins does your Bronco use ? Id also have a look at the rear brakes . Ive seen where they were adjusted too tight and or lots of brake dust ....this will cause proprtioning problems . Also make sure the rear brake cylinders arent leaking and that all the shoes move freely . Adjudt the shoes so that they have almost zero clearnace .
Paul
What kind of caliper slide pins does your Bronco use ? Id also have a look at the rear brakes . Ive seen where they were adjusted too tight and or lots of brake dust ....this will cause proprtioning problems . Also make sure the rear brake cylinders arent leaking and that all the shoes move freely . Adjudt the shoes so that they have almost zero clearnace .
Paul
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: NJ
Pulling Brakes
My truck has pins with sleeves and bolts not the old style wedges.I have checked the rear once a mechanic friend also told me to not only check for leaks but also to make sure the piston slides freely inside the wheel cyl.I didn't find any leaks or problems but maybe it's time for another look.I know back brakes last longer than fronts but it appears I have almost 90K on the original pads. I'm thinking of replacing them anyway.
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 29
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From: Eddy county, New Mexico
Pulling Brakes
Try looking at your radius arm bushings.
The one nearest the cat sometimes will melt due to heat from the catalytic converter. The driver's side on my '93 Bronco has some sort of black goo squishing out of it... wierd...
but if the bushings are bad, when you apply brakes, the bushings will compress too much, and introduce some unwanted toe-out, ergo a pull to one side or the other.
Bushings are cheap, about $3.00 each, but the labor is about an hour per side...
Good luck.
Mike
The one nearest the cat sometimes will melt due to heat from the catalytic converter. The driver's side on my '93 Bronco has some sort of black goo squishing out of it... wierd...
but if the bushings are bad, when you apply brakes, the bushings will compress too much, and introduce some unwanted toe-out, ergo a pull to one side or the other.
Bushings are cheap, about $3.00 each, but the labor is about an hour per side...
Good luck.
Mike
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: NJ
Pulling Brakes
Thanks for the reply. I've installed Energy Suspension radius arm and axel pivot bushings in my truck already. The passenger side radius arm bushing was exactly as you described it. I thought for sure that was my problem but it's still there. Interesting enough my buddy's 94 F-350 2wd with the same engine has an extra heat shield between the cat and the bushings. I don't know why Ford didn't put them on the lighter duty trucks.
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 29
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From: Eddy county, New Mexico
Pulling Brakes
Hey Joe, how do you like those Energy Suspension bushings you installed? How's the ride (other than the brakes pulling...)
Have you looked at TSB 94-20-13? It addresses radius arm pivot rivet replacement and/or torquing the bolts to spec(if the truck pulls under braking with no torque felt in the steering wheel).
Also in there is a procedure to check the brake hydraulics for residual pressure after making 10 hard stops from 30 MPH - they say to:
- jack the front up
- make sure the hubs aren't locked
- check the front wheels for dragging
- if one is dragging, crack the bleeder
- if fluid squirts out, then perform the master cylinder pushrod adjustment
I can't email the TSB, but will be happy to print it and mail it to you. Good luck.
Mike
Have you looked at TSB 94-20-13? It addresses radius arm pivot rivet replacement and/or torquing the bolts to spec(if the truck pulls under braking with no torque felt in the steering wheel).
Also in there is a procedure to check the brake hydraulics for residual pressure after making 10 hard stops from 30 MPH - they say to:
- jack the front up
- make sure the hubs aren't locked
- check the front wheels for dragging
- if one is dragging, crack the bleeder
- if fluid squirts out, then perform the master cylinder pushrod adjustment
I can't email the TSB, but will be happy to print it and mail it to you. Good luck.
Mike
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From: NJ
Pulling Brakes
The Radius Arm bushings made the most difference in handling(my passenger side was really bad) I don't know if the axel pivot bushings are worth the trouble(it was a real pain to get the old ones out) On the road the truck doesn't wander as much as it used to and I don't notice any difference in the ride. I had to have a wheel alignment after installing them as my old bushings where really bad.
I haven't seen the TSB your talking about but I doubt it would apply since I have installed a 4" skyjacker lift and replaced the radius arm brackets.The Brake problem existed before I installed it.
I'm going to have to try and do your Brake test as soon as I have time. I think I saw a similar test procedure in my service manual. I'll let you know how I make out.That seems like exactly the type of thing that would cause my problem. It never pulls on the first stop.
I haven't seen the TSB your talking about but I doubt it would apply since I have installed a 4" skyjacker lift and replaced the radius arm brackets.The Brake problem existed before I installed it.
I'm going to have to try and do your Brake test as soon as I have time. I think I saw a similar test procedure in my service manual. I'll let you know how I make out.That seems like exactly the type of thing that would cause my problem. It never pulls on the first stop.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,345
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From: NorCal
Pulling Brakes
I have a similar problem, only my 90 F-150 pulls to the right. It seems to be intensified after going through a puddle, after driving on wet roads, or after a long drive. I'll replace my radius arm bushings with Energy Suspension's Polyurethane bushings and see if that helps. Also, i found this to be a bit curios...
Pulled from the Alldata TSB Report:
98-5A-46 MAR 98 Left Pull/Drift -Negative Caster Split- Replace Radius Arm
Anybody else heard of this??
Pulled from the Alldata TSB Report:
98-5A-46 MAR 98 Left Pull/Drift -Negative Caster Split- Replace Radius Arm
Anybody else heard of this??
