argh, alignment=good, still pulls

[V8BoatBuilder]

Good to know, thank you. Any comments on articulation limits?

Totally off the original topic here... but...The rear flexes awesome, the tires rub the wheel tubs

 

[gavin]

ok... been noticing something over the last week or so, and want to make sure I'm thinking correctly here.

I'm starting to believe it may be the brakes, a sticky caliper, but would like opinions to make sure I'm thinking correctly

Pulling to the right; coming up to a stop and slowly applying brakes, I can slowly center the steering wheel without a pull to the right. As I apply more brake, the starts to pull to the left slightly. If I let go of the steering wheel at a slow speed and apply enough brake pressure, the steering wheel starts to turn to the left.

My thinking.... the right front caliper is sticking. As I apply the brakes, the amount of pressure from the left caliper equalizes with the amount of pressure on the right, causing the steering to be able to get centered without a pull.
Applying more pressure, the left side then applies more pressure, and the right caliper's piston is not extending as it should, causing the slight pull to the left.

sound about right?

 

[dogfriend]

Seems reasonable. You shouldn't be able to steer using the brake pedal in any event.

 

[gavin]

Seems reasonable. You shouldn't be able to steer using the brake pedal in any event.

haha yeah, definitely.

but wintertime the roads around here are always crap, lots of ruts, ice humps down part of the lane, etc, that can make it a pita to figure out if an issue actually exists, or if it's due to ruts and whatnot on the roads.

although I'm sure what I'm feeling isn't due to the roads... might try and change out that caliper this weekend if I can find my tools for bleeding the brakes.

 

[dogfriend]

We have some roads around here that are uneven as you approach stop signs or lights. Its not potholes; it's because its so fricken hot in the summer that the pavement gets ruts where everyone puts the brakes on. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the car is pulling to one side or the wheels are just getting pushed by the ruts in the pavement.

 

[storlied]

That's one thing I noticed about Anchorage roads when I was there, the roads would just grab my steering anyway they wanted. I don't have that problem here, even though the roads are still crap.

 

[gavin]

http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=11697885

Alaska has the worst highway system in the nation, according to a new report from a California-based research group.

The report says the problems are in maintenance, bridge deficiencies and fatalities.

yup.

 

[gavin]

ok... so it wasn't a sticky caliper. Or, atleast not the pass side front.
But I definitely need to flush the rest of the brake fluid... fluid I got out had a nice green hue to it.
That means moisture, right?

so I'm gonna have to replace the dri front caliper also... cannot get the damned bleeder loose.
On the old pass. side one, I ended up rounding the bleeder even with a crow's foot wrench!

gotta wait 'til payday to get the dri front done

 

[dogfriend]

My experience is that the brake fluid will turn dark brown as moisture builds up in it. New brake fluid is a very clear light brown.

 

[gavin]

yeah I used up a 32oz bottle of brake fluid, which yeah is pretty much clear. Emptied the reservoir of old stuff, filled with new stuff.

greenish colored fluid came out of the bleeder on the caliper.
curious what it means when it's greenish