2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission brake hard pull right

[DEickhoff]

Each time I brake hard the truck dives to the right? Anyone have an idea of why this would happen and how I can fix the problem?



Thanks



Dawna

 

[B.G. Smith]

It's probably one of the front brakes as rears usually won't cause severe pulling. Next time you drive the truck, stop after a few miles and feel the front wheels for heat build up. Sometimes the brake won't release because of binding in the caliper or restriction in the flex line causing that side (left in this case) to get hot and not hold as well as the other resulting in pulling to right. If you don't find the temp. to be unusual then I would pull the calipers and inspect the pads and mounting hardware for binding, also look at the area where the caliper contacts the stationary part of the mounting bracket and make sure it is smoothe. bg.

 

[rblomquist]

Dollars to doughnuts one or both of his rear brakes are either not working at all or at very reduced performance. See my post from earlier today reference what I just found out with mine.

 

[Joe G.]

A sticking caliper is the most likely cause. Rear brake adjustment is the next most likely cause.



I clean and lube the caliper pins every oil change. The caliper slides have been smoothed. I lube them if they look like they need it. The wear is also checked at every oil change. If it is not even from side to side something is sticking. The pads in the caliper won't wear even, but there should not be much difference in pad wear between the inside and out. If there is then the caliper is sticking.



The so-called automatic rear brake adjustment works when it wants to. One side may be good and the other loose. I adjust my rear brakes by hand at every oil change because of that.

 

[DEickhoff]

Ok I'll check what has been suggested. Will my service manual give good instructions or does someone have a step by step worked out? Looks like I will be investing in some jack stands.



Thanks



dawna

 

[Joe G.]

The service manual is pretty good about explaining how to lube the pins, but it stops short of what you need to know. The part of the mounting bracket for the caliper that the caliper slides on is a rough cast. It needs to be smoothed a bit with a file. Not too much, just take the roughness off. The pins should be inspected. Replace them if they are rough. I use a high temp disc brake grease I get from NAPA to lube the pins and the slides. Nasty black stuff in a can made by Stalube. Make sure that you can move the calipers on the slides after they are installed and the pins are torqued to specs. You will have to depress the piston a little to allow a little slack to test this. It's still kind of stiff but you should be able to move the caliper with your hands. If the wheel is off and the steering is hard over you can check the pad wear by looking in the back of the caliper. The outside pad will normally be worn a little bit more than the inside, but the difference should not be a lot.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by Joe G.

caliper slides on is a rough cast. It needs to be smoothed a bit with a file. Not too much, just take the roughness off. The pins should be inspected. Replace them if they are rough. I use a high temp disc brake grease I get from NAPA to lube the pins and the slides.

Ooops..... I forgot to grease the slides last month.



Time to go back and lick my chaps... . Tnx, for the reminder.

 

[Joe Mc]

Loaded Calipers

Had same problem w/mine when I first got it - 75K.



Purchased some Wagner re-manufactured "loaded" calipers. Best $50 ea I've spent. Replaced them 2X's for free, each time getting a new pair of pads to boot. I'm a little extreme - if it pulls a bit I yank em off and take em back complaining about it pulling - no questions asked - replaced. I do smooth of the surfaces and use plenty of "Sli-Glide" upon installation and every oil change.



Do a search for "Death Pull" or "Sticky Caliper" you should yield a great deal of reading material. I had copied and placed in my PC instructions found on TDR from a few years back but, my hard drive crashed and I lost it.



Good luck.

 

[DEickhoff]

OK from reading past posts concerning this issue it sounds like I need to do the front brakes. So my question to everyone is where can I get good calipers and brake pads? Any recommendations? sources? prices? best folks to deal with?



thanks



Dawna



edited for spelling