braking pull to the right

[69gmc69]

Hi there,

So I've been researching quite a bit on here and everyone seems to be saying the same things in regards to the issue I'm having. I still haven't resolved it.

I drive a 1969 gmc 3/4 ton 4x4 lifted 8" on 37" mtrs.
When I'm cruzing on a flat paved surface with no ruts and I brake my truck pulls to the right unless I hold the wheel and correct it by steering to the left. It feels like a braking issue. I have recently within the last month replaced the calipers and pads. I also installed skyjacker steel braided lines all round. After bleeding the brakes mulitiple times and replacing the fluid I'm in need of help. Nothing has worked.

The issue seems to be worse traveling down hill. The wierd thing is if I let go of the steering wheel and brake hard the steering wheel turns counter clockwise but the truck veirs right. I first noticed the issue after installing the lift and braided lines.

I have a drop pitman arm and raised steering arm so my drag link is level. I got an alignment last week no change. the truck tracks fine.

Any advice would be helpfull. Please let me know.

Cheers
Clayton

[jjzepplin]

This has also baffled me for a long time and I just got used to it. Thought maybe the spring bushings or something.
Really weird since I transferred the entire drive line to another truck and it still happens...
4" lift with steering arm block on a D60 with dual stabilizers. And different tires and rims too.
I think it has to be in the suspension or knuckle joints.

[LONGHAIR]

"An alignment" on a straight axle 4x4 is a sketchey thing, and usually just a rip-off.
The only truly adjustable part of it is the toe, which is a pretty minor thing, and can be done in your driveway.
Camber can only get out of the factory spec because of damage, it is not adjustable. It can only move if something is bent or a ball-joint is worn. It can "theoretically" adjusted (shimmed) to compensate for a bent housing, but that is bad practice. It can also be adjusted by "controlled bending".....but that is not ideal either. I would replace the entire housing if it was bent.

Which brings us to caster....and with a 8" lift kit, I would be willing to bet that there are angled shims under the front springs to tilt the pinion upward, reducing the driveline angle. These are your problem, guaranteed. They work against the castor, causing handling problems.
The worst part is that the "alignment shop" ignored this.....as I said before, alignment of a straight axle truck is generally a rip-off.

So why at braking? It probably has something to do with your "lifted" steering parts. You may have overcompensated, this making the wheels and steering wheel work in opposition during suspension travel.

Get this looked at by someone who really knows what is going on with this kind of thing.

[jjzepplin]

That makes sense. If you brake hard the front axle wants to "wrap" or twist and that moves the steering arms around. Is there some way to limit this?
I am going to look for those shims and take them out and try braking without my hands on the wheel in a parking lot. maybe look into fabbing up some sort of heim joint stabilizing device for hard braking. Unless someone knows of one. Sorry to hijack...

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 69gmc69

Hi there,

So I've been researching quite a bit on here and everyone seems to be saying the same things in regards to the issue I'm having. I still haven't resolved it.

I drive a 1969 gmc 3/4 ton 4x4 lifted 8" on 37" mtrs.
When I'm cruzing on a flat paved surface with no ruts and I brake my truck pulls to the right unless I hold the wheel and correct it by steering to the left. It feels like a braking issue. I have recently within the last month replaced the calipers and pads. I also installed skyjacker steel braided lines all round. After bleeding the brakes mulitiple times and replacing the fluid I'm in need of help. Nothing has worked.

The issue seems to be worse traveling down hill. The wierd thing is if I let go of the steering wheel and brake hard the steering wheel turns counter clockwise but the truck veirs right. I first noticed the issue after installing the lift and braided lines.

I have a drop pitman arm and raised steering arm so my drag link is level. I got an alignment last week no change. the truck tracks fine.

Any advice would be helpfull. Please let me know.

Cheers
Clayton

Just a thought, when bleeding did you unbolt the caliper and lift it up higher than the frame? just another way to get all the air out of the lines..

That said i'm surprised to read that a number of people are experiencing this problem.