Braking Problem

[BRUN]

right guys, my car has a problem with braking and id like an idea whats causin it before i take it to a garage

at any speed above about 50, it pulls to one side (cant remember which atm)........and it seems to get worse with speed

could it be the tracking or something like that ?.......or should i get my calipers stripped down an rebuilt ?

front brake lines have been replaced and so have discs and pads, and fluid

 

[BRUN]

anyone ?

 

[Nick Read]

Not my specialist subject Brun but if I were you Id get down to one of those places that does a free brake check so you can rule out simple stuff first.

 

[steve_rt]

im getting that now that ive just put my new rims on, so im guessing it might be the tracking/alignment, and you may have the same problem?

 

[geoff_clio182]

Might just be tramling if they are lower profile tyres?

 

[BRUN]

but it never goes to the left mate, its always the right........and its a fairly strong pull at motorway speeds

 

[BenR]

well, if its not hapenning under braking then its probably tracking or an underinflated tyre.

 

[Just Bob]

If its pulling to one side but not under braking then it could be a tracking problem. It could also be down to front tyres. Are they both the same make with the same tread wear?

Swop the front wheels across the axle. Does the car now pull to the left?

If yes, its your tyres, if no then its a geometry problem.

Hope that helps.

Bob RTE

 

[Flying Scotsman]

The following may be a possibility ......If you are getting any vibration during braking you may have a warped or badly seated brake disc reducing the braking efficiency on the affected side. Another possibility is a partially ceased caliper/piston. Generally with either of the above problems the car will pull to the good side due to the better braking effort. Another thing to check is your driveshaft gailters. I remember my old 16V Golf suddenly started pulling to one side. Turned out that the driveshaft gaiter had split splattering grease onto the brake disk. If it is this, one of your front wheels will look dirtier than the other! if you can remember any recent kerbing or massive pothole scenario then could be as Bob suggests, tracking or geometry. When did you last check those suspension bushes? Remember also that a poor rear brake can also pull the car to one side but to a lesser extent. You also mentioned that the fluid had been changed. Are you sure they have been bled properly. You may have air near one of the front calipers.

 

[BRUN]

car has had new suspension, one new gaitor, new discs and pads, new fluid, new front brake hoses

it did it before all this IIRC

im gonna ask my mechanic to strip down the left hand caliper i think

 

[orlandopaulo]

if wheels are alligned and calibrated, and have same pressure(aprox).. one side is breaking more than the other.. go to the neerest renault garange and explain..

 

[Alex M]

Itll be a siezing caliper, remove caliper and soak slides and round piston in WD40. Pump brakes so piston comes out, not too far or it might pop it out. Then push it back in, keep doing till it frees. If you cant get it to go back in, remove cap from master cylinder, and get a largish G-Clamp and use that to push piston back in. move it in and out, with plenty of WD a good few times. Dont know if that helps you, a garage will either charge you loads for labour of doing this (mechanics hate this kind of crappy, annoying job), or insist you need a new one. Do it yourself or get an able mate.



Alex M

 

[rwaterman]

If it is a seazed caliper get it sorted asap this happened to me in an older car the calaper wouldnt release, i was giong down the motorway then i smelt this horrible burning smell pulled over looked at the front disc and is was glowing red!!!!!!!!!

 

[BRUN]

ok thanks guys, its defo not pressure as i keep em topped up weekly

must be the left hand caliper, ill get my mechanic to sort it tomorrow