Brakes pulling to left.. any ideas?

ASSISTANCE Suspension, Brakes & Wheels
1

Just had all 4 brake pads and rotors and calipers changed last October, so they are under 13 months old. However, when I brake, even lightly, my car pulls a bit to the left. As soon as I let go of the brake, the car goes straight again…

Any idea why this is? Need a quick fix. Out of car money this month. :frowning:

BTW: My right (passenger) side outer tie-rod needs replacing I was told, BUT, that is on the opposite side of where the car is pulling, so it doesn’t make sense that this is the culprit, does it? Also, wouldn’t it affect it all the time and not just during braking??

Thanks
~Eric

2

any of the calipers leaking fluid? might have a bad r/f piston or slide.

3

either one of the calipers is weized or your alignment is off.Mine pulls tp the right but i am prety sure its because of my alignment

4

Originally posted by tegereg
either one of the calipers is weized or your alignment is off.Mine pulls tp the right but i am prety sure its because of my alignment

These problems are 99% related to suspension problems or a sticky caliper. Get a 4-wheel alignment and if everything checks out, I’d look for a faulty caliper.

Keep in mind, that tons of people have had this problem, and most people never figure out exactly what the problem is…but calipers or alignment are usually to blame.

5

Wierdly enough, the problem “seemed” to go away this morning… altohugh it could be due to many things, such as temperature, the caliper (or semi-seized part) un-sticking, etc…

I’ll reactivate this thread if the problem comes back later, which it hopefully won’t. :slight_smile:

Thanks for the info everyone!
~Eric

6

Originally posted by curls
[B]Wierdly enough, the problem “seemed” to go away this morning… altohugh it could be due to many things, such as temperature, the caliper (or semi-seized part) un-sticking, etc…

I’ll reactivate this thread if the problem comes back later, which it hopefully won’t. :slight_smile:

Thanks for the info everyone!
~Eric [/B]

A crowning on the road, or rutted roads will also cause the car to pull one way or the other. Depending on the surface of the road the “problem” may present itself, but it may not be a problem at all.

Negative camber and toe-out will make the car more darty also, but are not necessarily a problem.

7

I tested it a bit more today on the way to work (flat, newly paved road by the way)…
Anyhow, whenjust going at a normal pace, it drives straight. When I brake, it pulls LEFT. When I am driving and give it some decent gas, it goes RIGHT.

Does this sound like my already semi-damaged tie-rod end is on its last legs? I know I have to fix it, but I can’t remember which one it is (any way to check?), and have no money until at least Christmas :frowning:

Any help appreciated. It seems to be getting a bit worse everyday. :frowning:

~Eric