2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Pulling to the right

[Berrigan]

The truck pulls to the right while braking. This happens at the first braking event of the day (cool brakes) and happens all day long as the brakes warm up. If I let go of the wheel and apply the brakes the steering wheel will turn. The calipers are fairly new and pads are about 1/2 gone. I checked the temp of the rotors after a few stops and the right side rotor is much hotter than the left. Is it possible the left side is being starved of hydraulic pressure? I never smell overheated pads. The search I did didn't turn up much. Any thoughts?

 

[fest3er]

The truck pulls to the right while braking. This happens at the first braking event of the day (cool brakes) and happens all day long as the brakes warm up. If I let go of the wheel and apply the brakes the steering wheel will turn. The calipers are fairly new and pads are about 1/2 gone. I checked the temp of the rotors after a few stops and the right side rotor is much hotter than the left. Is it possible the left side is being starved of hydraulic pressure? I never smell overheated pads. The search I did didn't turn up much. Any thoughts?

Sounds like my truck a couple year ago. Apply the brakes and it would dive to the left; release and it would dive to the right. Turned out to be a two-part problem. The right-rear axle seal was leaking, soaking the shoes and drum with Amsoil gear lube and greatly reducing the effectiveness of that brake; the right front piston was rusted and pert near seized. The result was that the left brakes would apply first causing the leftward dive. And the left brakes would release first, thus causing the rightward dive.



Truck's been much more predictable to drive since I fixed that.

 

[JR]

If your front brake hoses are original or even several years old it would be a good idea to replace them. They will collapse internally over time and cause the truck to pull one way or the other. Dorman makes them, Napa also carries them and I'm sure other major parts chains do as well.

I also wouldn't rule out a stuck caliper, especially if the truck sits for any length of time. I had 2 aftermarket units stick within a year on my truck, and I drive it most everyday.

Also flushing your brake fluid every 2 years is essential and often over looked. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it draws moisture, and moisture is corrosive to calipers and wheel cylinders, not to mention it drastically lowers the boiling point of the fluid.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

My 1997 came with a 1/8" thick spacer between the wheel and the hub on the right front for a similar reason.

 

[Bob4x4]

The Factory tsb for 2nd gen pull issues paid up to 8hrs labor on warranty. It is not always straight forward to diagnose a pull. A diy attempt would start at a good visual then move to the brakes and on down stream from there

 

[VolsFan]

Had the exact same thing on my 99. I ended up flushing the whole brake system with synthetic, new wheel cylinders and shoes in the rear, and my problem was solved. As stated though, could be a host of other things too. On mine, replacing calipers and pads did not help anything.

 

[justinemmons]

my '08 grand caravan recently did this and it was a caliper. it got to the extreme, during driving it would heat up to the point of the rotor smoking, pull to the right while breaking and death wobble going down the road.

 

[Berrigan]

If your front brake hoses are original or even several years old it would be a good idea to replace them. They will collapse internally over time and cause the truck to pull one way or the other. Dorman makes them, Napa also carries them and I'm sure other major parts chains do as well.
I also wouldn't rule out a stuck caliper, especially if the truck sits for any length of time. I had 2 aftermarket units stick within a year on my truck, and I drive it most everyday.
Also flushing your brake fluid every 2 years is essential and often over looked. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it draws moisture, and moisture is corrosive to calipers and wheel cylinders, not to mention it drastically lowers the boiling point of the fluid.

That's what I was thinking. The front rubber lines are original. The reason being the first braking event being cold and it pulls means a binding caliper would not have created enough heat to cause it to fade and pull the opposite direction yet. The hotter disc is the direction it is pulling so that makes me think its a problem on the other side. Perhaps a restricted line or caliper that's not compressing properly. I think that's where I will start. Thank you all for replying. Bill

 

[JR]

The hoses are a good place to start if theyre original. Bob brings up a good point with giving everything a good look while your in there. Sometimes it's the things that aren't so obvious

 

[JR]

My 1997 came with a 1/8" thick spacer between the wheel and the hub on the right front for a similar reason.

Mine has one as well. Did yours come from the factory like that? I just assumed it was a band aid warranty fix.