Front end pulls when brakes applied
Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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My 81 drives straight as an arrow, even with my hands of the wheel, but as soon as I touch the brakes she pulls to the left. Suggestions?
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Send PMFrederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
You could have a sticking caliper or a rubber brake hose that's collapsing internally or otherwise restricted. Those are the first places I would check. Rebuild or replace calipers and/or hoses in pairs to equalize the pressure if either proves to be your problem.
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It could be brakes, or it could be an alignment or worn suspension issue, even tho you say it does drive straight. My guess would be brake related, tho. A front brake problem can cause the front to pull, but remember a rear brake can do it also. A pass side rear(or front, for that matter) brake that is not working will cause it to pull to the left(driver side).
Without installing pressure gauges at all 4 corners, it's gonna take a little detective work to determine where the problem is.
Raise the front of the car off the ground, and check to see if one of your front wheels is harder to turn by hand than the other. Another tip is to remove all of the brake pads
and see if one corner is worn more than the rest. You can sometimes just look down into the calipers with the wheels of and compare brake wear, but not always...it depends on how new the pads are...
You can try to lightly apply the parking brake while driving in a straight line. If it does not pull, then you'll have a pretty good idea that the rear brakes are not causing the pull.
Without installing pressure gauges at all 4 corners, it's gonna take a little detective work to determine where the problem is.
Raise the front of the car off the ground, and check to see if one of your front wheels is harder to turn by hand than the other. Another tip is to remove all of the brake pads
and see if one corner is worn more than the rest. You can sometimes just look down into the calipers with the wheels of and compare brake wear, but not always...it depends on how new the pads are...
You can try to lightly apply the parking brake while driving in a straight line. If it does not pull, then you'll have a pretty good idea that the rear brakes are not causing the pull.
Joel Adams
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When mine was pulling to the left it was because the right front brake caliper was hanging up (sticking and not applying pressure to the rotor). Replaced both calipers, put new pads on and it was good as new.
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Thank you everybody for your suggestions, I will see what I can find this weekend.
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Send PMOak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Scott81:
I have an 81 also. Had the same problem. Turned out to be a caliper on passenger rear. So I put SS all the way around, new pads and calipers. Next problem?
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[QUOTE=DSKOPP]Scott81:
totally agree had same problem with mine years ago got rid of stock calipers installed SS ones all around, problem never came back. Good luck
I have an 81 also. Had the same problem. Turned out to be a caliper on passenger rear. So I put SS all the way around, new pads and calipers. Next problem?
[/QUOTE]
totally agree had same problem with mine years ago got rid of stock calipers installed SS ones all around, problem never came back. Good lucksgm2004 AKA Guy
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I had the same problem with my 75. Replaced front & rear rotors, calipers (ss), pads and all brake lines.
Rebult the trailing arms sent the rotors and they turned them with the hubs. ( Corvette Central )
AND STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT
Took the hubs and rotors off the front and had the truned as a unit . took care of the broblem.
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[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]... You can try to lightly apply the parking brake while driving in a straight line. If it does not pull, then you'll have a pretty good idea that the rear brakes are not causing the pull. [/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]
Which model years had the parking brake actually working the rear calipers? On "The Toy" (MY '70) the parking brake is a mechanical drum type set-up inside the rear rotor. Regular braking is the normal hydraulic caliper/rotor set-up.
Jim Olson 
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
[QUOTE=Norsky] [QUOTE=Adams' Apple]... You can try to lightly apply the parking brake while driving in a straight line. If it does not pull, then you'll have a pretty good idea that the rear brakes are not causing the pull. [/QUOTE]
Which model years had the parking brake actually working the rear calipers? On "The Toy" (MY '70) the parking brake is a mechanical drum type set-up inside the rear rotor. Regular braking is the normal hydraulic caliper/rotor set-up.[/QUOTE]
While others have pointed out this same theory, the point is still valid. If you're not using the front brakes, and it still pulls, then the problem will be rear related...it eliminates the front brakes as the source of the pull.
It am true that this method doesn't really tell if there is a caliper issue, but it can point to a rear suspension problem, such as a bad bushing, if the car still pulls using only the parking brake.
I should've been more specific.
[/QUOTE]
Which model years had the parking brake actually working the rear calipers? On "The Toy" (MY '70) the parking brake is a mechanical drum type set-up inside the rear rotor. Regular braking is the normal hydraulic caliper/rotor set-up.[/QUOTE]
While others have pointed out this same theory, the point is still valid. If you're not using the front brakes, and it still pulls, then the problem will be rear related...it eliminates the front brakes as the source of the pull.
It am true that this method doesn't really tell if there is a caliper issue, but it can point to a rear suspension problem, such as a bad bushing, if the car still pulls using only the parking brake.
I should've been more specific.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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