Pull to left when braking

Issues with shocks/springs, tires, steering box, stopping, etc.
JimmyC
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Pull to left when braking

Post by JimmyC »

My truck pulls to the left when braking, particularly when braking hard. I thought for sure I would find something wrong with one of the front brakes, but all the brakes seem fine. Nothing is loose in the steering or suspension.. Any suggestions?
Jim Chance
710M

All my post fully incorporate the Dunning-Kruger effect
undysworld
Norway
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Location: Blue Mounds, WI

Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by undysworld »

Assuming they're adjusted right. One restricted hose?
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pcolette
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by pcolette »

I just finished fixing the same problem on a 710M except it pulled to the right. In my case the left front brake was out of adjustment and the shoes were dragging and overheating badly. When I applied the brake the left wasn't working as well as the right, so it pulled towards the right.
Things to check:
-make sure both sides have the same tire pressure.
-drive for a bit and then feel the wheel hub for temp. Compare left to right.
-if one is warmer, adjust it as described in the manual. Note there are 2 adjusters on each front brake.

If adjusting doesn't fix it you may have some oil/grease or brake fluid leaking onto the shoes. You'll need to remove the drum to inspect.
Paul C.
_________
'73 Swiss 710M
'89 Puch 230GE
Pinz710m2

Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by Pinz710m2 »

Ummm ... let's ask a few questions before even beginning to field
an answer.

1. When was the last time you serviced your brakes?
2. What was done?
3. Who did it?
4. What type of driving have you been doing? Hard
off-road? Street? Or maybe trail?
5. How many miles have you put on it since that last service
we asked about above?
6. Does it make any noise when braking? (squealing, grinding, or rubbing)
7. And finally, describe "pulling to the left" for us. Does it pull
to the left only when you stop at a stop light? Does it do the same
on a flat street or parking lot or on dirt too?

I mean no disrespect to anyone, but quite often I see people answer
or diagnose somewhat complex problems on the smallest and tiniest bits of
information. I like to ask a few questions first ... and maybe first find out if someone's
kids stuck his Laffy Taffy in your brake inspection hole, or if the brakes are 40,000
miles old. I think the answers to the questions above will help narrow it down to what
YOUR problem is, and not what everyone else might have run into before.
SeattleTom
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by SeattleTom »

Mine started pulling to the right when braking hard - for me the problem is a leaking left front cylinder. I ordered new seals from EI but I am still trying to find a place that will reline the cylinders with stainless steel sleeves before I pull it out. It might not be necessary though but I read here in a post from ProfPinz that the cylinders are chrome lined and the chrome eventually starts to pit.. if i do find pitting I will get all of them done at the same time..
JimmyC
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by JimmyC »

No oil on shoes. Will watch for differential heat.
Jim Chance
710M

All my post fully incorporate the Dunning-Kruger effect
compunerdy
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by compunerdy »

It is because you have not installed the power steering yet 8)
Tim
1975 710K
JimmyC
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by JimmyC »

It is new to me. I have only driven it in town. The pull seems proportional to the braking. It is not noticeable under light braking but under hard braking like when somebody pulls out in front of you it takes a lot of attention and effort to maintain control. I pulled the four drums yesterday and everything looks good. No oil or brake fluid, all pistons moving, drums good, little to no wear on the shoes. I adjusted the shoes and the pedal came up a little.

I checked the steering and suspension while it was up there and all seemed tight. Tires and tire pressure are good.

I will test drive today and see if adjusting the shoes made a difference.
Jim Chance
710M

All my post fully incorporate the Dunning-Kruger effect
undysworld
Norway
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by undysworld »

JimmyC wrote:No oil on shoes. Will watch for differential heat.
Jimmy,
I think Paul was suggesting that you watch for heat buildup in one brake drum or the other, not the differential. It may indicate a manner of failure.

Finding one drum hotter than the other might indicate that the brake components are dragging against the drum and causing heat. It would be expectable to find this excess heat in the left drum, since your truck pulls left. This could be because that side is adjusted too tight, or because something is just stuck or broken.

Another possibility is that the side opposite from the pull (in your case the right side) is not effectively braking that wheel. A clogged brake line, or an internally collapsed brake hose could cause a restriction and decrease that side's effectiveness. (Occasionally you hear of trucks that have NOT had their brakes bled in seemingly forever, and been helped by a good flush with new fluid and proper bleeding. Same thing applies to the locker mechanisms too.)

As Paul above wrote, remember there are TWO adjusting mechanisms in EACH front wheel assembly. They must both be adjusted properly to work right.
JimmyC
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by JimmyC »

I test drove today and the pull seems to be gone. Not sure what I did. Maybe something was stuck and me banging around got it working. The only thing that I did besides inspect it and observe the shoes move was adjust the shoes. The brake pedal was higher.

I understand the temperature difference is the two drums, not the differential. I should have sai difference, not differential.
I did not run long enough to see if this is happening, but will next time I get time.

I also pulled the steering box off to fit the power steering. The box is in my vice awaiting surgery, but I figured I should get a nights sleep before cutting something expensive. So far it is not too difficult, but I think I may have to remove the brake and clutch pedals to get it back in.

Thanks
Jim Chance
710M

All my post fully incorporate the Dunning-Kruger effect
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pcolette
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by pcolette »

I'd bet that your adjustment of the shoes corrected the pulling problem as well as resulting in the brake pedal having a higher initial braking point.

Please post photos of your power steering install. It sounds interesting.
Paul C.
_________
'73 Swiss 710M
'89 Puch 230GE
Jim LaGuardia
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by Jim LaGuardia »

You most likely unstuck a wheel cyl piston. The front uppers like to stick more than the lowers, also a stuck or inop rear brake on one side can also cause pulling :wink:
Cheers, Jim LaGuardia
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boeing7873
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Re: Pull to left when braking (wheel lock)

Post by boeing7873 »

I was reading this post as I am dealing with a bit of the same problem. I adjusted all brakes about 6 month ago. Recently I started to experience a left back wheel lock when braking hard. Normal braking is uneventful, with minimum pulling, but any significant increase in braking power ends with the back left tire locking.
I took drum off, inspected, nothing abnormal, dry. I cleaned everything, lubed pad edges, assembled, adjusted pads, and tested. Locking has decreased but still occurs at high pressure.
Don't know what to do next. Suggestions?
JC
Jerome
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Ian
Australia
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Location: Tasmania

Re: Pull to left when braking (wheel lock)

Post by Ian »

boeing7873 wrote: Tue May 29, 2018 1:33 pm I was reading this post as I am dealing with a bit of the same problem. I adjusted all brakes about 6 month ago. Recently I started to experience a left back wheel lock when braking hard. Normal braking is uneventful, with minimum pulling, but any significant increase in braking power ends with the back left tire locking.
I took drum off, inspected, nothing abnormal, dry. I cleaned everything, lubed pad edges, assembled, adjusted pads, and tested. Locking has decreased but still occurs at high pressure.
Don't know what to do next. Suggestions?
JC
Check the drum isn't slightly oval?
boeing7873
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Re: Pull to left when braking

Post by boeing7873 »

Will check... seems much better now after second adjustment. Need to check opposite side first.
Jerome
CRJ Driver
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