New calipers and pads, slight pull to right

[philo_beddoe]

Installed new pads and calipers, pedal feels good plenty of meat. After long drive both rotors feel the same temp. Both wheels spin freely.

It only has a slight jolt to the right when brakes first applied, then feels nice and even, does not continue to pull.


Tried posting in the “brakes” forum topic, system wouldn’t let me.

[Rapid Roy]

Bad flex hose was my issue with pulling to right. It was left hose.

Recommend to replace both.

[JohnnyPopper]

How old are the rubber lines?

Sometimes they breakdown internally and retain fluid pressure, which may act as a preload of sorts.

[frotosride]

I had this same problem. For me the driver's side caliper was hanging up on the upper slide bolt. If you still have your old pads and remember their orientation (left ,right, inside, outside) check them for uneven wear. May lead you to the problem. Also I found that the anti squeel plates on the back of the pads had come loose, shifted and caused the pistons contact to be in even.

If those slide pins have even the slightest bent in any of them replace them as a set.


**Edited to remove lady calipers.... I'm sure they'd hang up on something too!

[JohnnyPopper]

What's a 'lady caliper'?

Been drinkin? 

[philo_beddoe]

Yeah, what’s a lady caliper? Anyway, they came with new pins, maybe I’ll put the old ones back in just to see. The hoses are good, I examined for wear and and cracks.

[JohnnyPopper]

The breakdown can happen internally.

I stood on my '73 so hard one time the right rotor locked up, I mean locked.

I changed out the rotor and it turned out to the hose.

[Rapid Roy]

The breakdown can happen internally.

I stood on my '73 so hard one time the right rotor locked up, I mean locked.

I changed out the rotor and it turned out to the hose.

Yes, internal breakdown is correct. In other words, the inside swells restricting fluid flow to caliper. Therefore, applying more pressure to the other side. External inspection will not reveal this. The pulling to one side or the other will. If it pulls right, left hose is bad. If it pulls left, right hose is bad. If you only replace one, you could have pulling in the opposite side that you could not tell previously because of the defective hose.

I have had this happen 2 times on 2 different trucks.

Replace both at same time.

[philo_beddoe]

I probably will regardless. But, it never pulled before installing new calipers and pads.

- both wheels spin free
- I had someone gently apply brakes and I could not turn either wheel.
- no uneven wear on previous pads at all

I guess it must be a hose then....

[VileZambonie]

Make sure you don't have the caliper flipped around and the hose piggy tailed. If the calipers move freely, wheel bearings and front end is tight, then you have a restriction. Most likely hoses.

[philo_beddoe]

Make sure you don't have the caliper flipped around and the hose piggy tailed. If the calipers move freely, wheel bearings and front end is tight, then you have a restriction. Most likely hoses.

No kink or “hose twist”, but perhaps some “gunk” got in where the banjo bolt (if that’s the right name) goes when I was cleaning and wiping them down. I am going to replace both hoses.

On another note; I had nearly a 1/8” thick of “gunk” under the entire front end, when I noticed doing these brakes. I had to scrape it off with a putty knife. I am going to soak the entire front end , frame and engine bay in engine degreaser and head to the hot steam power wash.

No more fluid film, wd-40, oil, or any sticky petroleum substance. I’m quitting that stuff. So,,,does anyone know of a good metal coating rust preventative that won’t build up and get grimy gritty and gunky? I don’t even know why I bother, this truck hasn’t even seen water since we finished it’s nearly frame off restoration.

[VileZambonie]

Yeah,  I don't use that crap. Keep it cleaned off and painted nice. A couple gallons of truck bedliner or body schutz is another good option.

[philo_beddoe]

Update, replaced front hoses AND brake lines and bled the heck out of it. Stops nice and straight and tight. Took all day for that stinkin job! It wasn’t tough, just dang hard to get at! Why did they have to put the break lines THROUGH the frame!!??? 

[JohnnyPopper]

Good on you Phil!!

Take an air hose and blow through each hose from both ends, see if there is blockage.

Please report findings if any