truck pulls to the right when braking - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72supermike · 05-05-2011, 09:24 AM

Hello. I have a 1972 4x4 1/2 ton 4 speed. It's lifted like 3 inches or so. My question is, It pulls to the right when braking, so what is the most likely reason? I bled the brakes a while back in an attempt to fix the problem but that didn't help. any input is appreciated. Thanks!

mike

68gmsee · 05-05-2011, 09:44 AM

Depending on how bad it pulls it could be serveral things.

Restricted rubber fuel hose. These swell internally and restrict the flow of fluid.

Binding piston. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy complete asm than to mess rebuilding one.

Grabby or defective disk pads. If you recently replaced them this could be the problem.

Sliding portion of brake needs to be cleaned and lubed.

Worn ball joints or tie rod ends.

Any of the steering linkages and even A frame bushings.

A few other things I can't think of right away.

hugger6933 · 05-05-2011, 11:56 AM

also check the left brakes. They could be not working at all and the right one works fine that could explain why it pulls right. I had a customer several years ago that knew enough just to be dagerous. He had a similar problem he kept having me look at the right and the problem was on the left. I am not saying that is your problem but you may want to look into it if the right hand brake stuff all checks out. Jim

mrein3 · 05-05-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugger6933

also check the left brakes. They could be not working at all and the right one works fine that could explain why it pulls right. I had a customer several years ago that knew enough just to be dagerous. He had a similar problem he kept having me look at the right and the problem was on the left. I am not saying that is your problem but you may want to look into it if the right hand brake stuff all checks out. Jim

As hugger6933 pointed out when this happens it is usually the OTHER side's brake being the problem. It is probably hung up.

After a drive when you notice this occurring, pull over to a safe location and CAREFULLY see if the left rim/hub is hot. A stuck left front caliper will get hot and fade. Then when you apply the brakes you have nothing on the left and the right, doing all the stopping, pulls that way.

7T2 · 05-05-2011, 12:48 PM

Pretty much been covered here, but pulling consistently to one side = problem with OTHER sides brakes (possibly same side, but not as likely). Pulling randomly to one side or the other when braking = swelled rubber hoses.

northerngmc · 05-05-2011, 01:51 PM

Check if either the right side wheel seals or brake cylinders are leaking. Grease, oil or brake fluid on the pads or shoes can cause them to grab.

Crawl underneath and take a look. A good leak will be fairly obvious on the backing plate.

BIGKEV · 05-05-2011, 08:25 PM

Warped drum, or leaky wheel cylinder. Did you check adjustment when you bled the brakes?

fastwillie 696969 · 05-05-2011, 08:26 PM

caliper hanging up ?

72supermike · 05-05-2011, 09:50 PM

Thanks guys for all the input. I will agree that I think that problem is with the left side. That's what I figured at least. I haven't seen any fluids leaking on the right side. I'm hoping that it's just that it needs cleaned up good cause the caliper isn't sliding or something of that nature. Once again, thanks,

mike

05-05-2011, 09:24 AM	#1
72supermike Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Harrison, Idaho Posts: 214	truck pulls to the right when braking Hello. I have a 1972 4x4 1/2 ton 4 speed. It's lifted like 3 inches or so. My question is, It pulls to the right when braking, so what is the most likely reason? I bled the brakes a while back in an attempt to fix the problem but that didn't help. any input is appreciated. Thanks! mike

05-05-2011, 09:44 AM	#2
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: truck pulls to the right when braking Depending on how bad it pulls it could be serveral things. Restricted rubber fuel hose. These swell internally and restrict the flow of fluid. Binding piston. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy complete asm than to mess rebuilding one. Grabby or defective disk pads. If you recently replaced them this could be the problem. Sliding portion of brake needs to be cleaned and lubed. Worn ball joints or tie rod ends. Any of the steering linkages and even A frame bushings. A few other things I can't think of right away.

05-05-2011, 11:56 AM	#3
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,261	Re: truck pulls to the right when braking also check the left brakes. They could be not working at all and the right one works fine that could explain why it pulls right. I had a customer several years ago that knew enough just to be dagerous. He had a similar problem he kept having me look at the right and the problem was on the left. I am not saying that is your problem but you may want to look into it if the right hand brake stuff all checks out. Jim

05-05-2011, 12:48 PM	#5
7T2 Active Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Marysville, OH Posts: 667	Re: truck pulls to the right when braking Pretty much been covered here, but pulling consistently to one side = problem with OTHER sides brakes (possibly same side, but not as likely). Pulling randomly to one side or the other when braking = swelled rubber hoses. __________________ 1957 GMC Ambulance 1962 Belair Wagon 1963 C80 Truck Cab FOR SALE 1969 Chevy C10 Short Bed 1972 Chevy C10 Long Bed SOLD 1996 C3500 Dually SOLD

05-05-2011, 01:51 PM	#6
northerngmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whitehorse YK Canada Posts: 2,651	Re: truck pulls to the right when braking Check if either the right side wheel seals or brake cylinders are leaking. Grease, oil or brake fluid on the pads or shoes can cause them to grab. Crawl underneath and take a look. A good leak will be fairly obvious on the backing plate. __________________ Blaine 59 GMC 9314 a.k.a. Whoopee 68 C20 50th Anniversary a.k.a. The Rat http://www.flickr.com/photos/northerngmc/ http://www.members.tripod.com/P-wee/index_032.htm 1.61803 is one H of a lot better than 3.14159, no really it is!

05-05-2011, 08:25 PM	#7
BIGKEV Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Prescott AZ Posts: 112	Re: truck pulls to the right when braking Warped drum, or leaky wheel cylinder. Did you check adjustment when you bled the brakes?

05-05-2011, 08:26 PM	#8
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: truck pulls to the right when braking caliper hanging up ? __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

05-05-2011, 09:50 PM	#9
72supermike Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Harrison, Idaho Posts: 214	Re: truck pulls to the right when braking Thanks guys for all the input. I will agree that I think that problem is with the left side. That's what I figured at least. I haven't seen any fluids leaking on the right side. I'm hoping that it's just that it needs cleaned up good cause the caliper isn't sliding or something of that nature. Once again, thanks, mike



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