I am assuming it's a brake problem. I had the entire front end rebuilt in 99. New poly bushings all around, KYB struts, new drag, idler, tie rods, steering box... etc.

Unfortunately when I hit the brakes quickly they pull hard to the left. If I'm not careful I'll end up making an unintended lane change...

If I apply pressure slow and increasingly there's not sensation of pull. Brake pads and lines look good.

Any ideas?

 

Sounds like your passenger side brake line is internally failing, if you step on them and they pull left then when you release after holding them for a few seconds they pull back right then definitely right side brake line collaping internally. Personally i'd just get a braided brake line kit from jegs or summit or somewhere. Around 95 for 4 wheel disk..not bad for being braided.
Justin

 

I was actually gonna ask the same question. When I apply pressure, especially on the highway, my car nose dives to the left. When pressure is applied lightly, i feel no pulling to either side. I have drums in the rear, just for reference. I'm assuming the braided lines are a biatch to install, correct? Thanks for the help guys

 

They're no more trouble than a regular hose to install.

One thing though, that I did hear about the braided hoses... not sure if it holds any water, but: It was said (on thirdgen.org) a while ago that because of the stainless steel braid, you can't do a visual inspection of the hose anymore, and that there's no way to check if a hose is about to split.

'Course, how many people are running the braided lines? I haven't heard of one splitting yet... but it's something to consider.

And you should replace both front brake hoses at once... the "newest" any one of our factory hoses can be is 10 years! (The oldest is 20 years!!) All hoses deteriorate with age... and it could be that your other hose is almost clogged, as well. Everyone should have replaced their hoses at least once by now!! I replaced my front hoses in '96, and will probably replace them again this summer. I replaced the rear hoses about 2 years ago.

 

Replaced the brake hoses and that cleared up the problem. Now that they are fixed I realize just how much they were affecting braking performance.

Thanks guys.

 

GREAT!! thats good to hear, i was glad i was able to help :lala: :lala: Did you use the braided lines?

 

No. I'd like to, but I'm too cheap for that. Actually I am working up the nerve to buy GMPP HT 383 or a Scoggin-Dickey 375 HP TPI motor.

 

I'm going to resurrect this old thing because I've had the same problem and it came up in a search. The problem has existed since I first started driving the car almost 5 years and 40k ago. It only happens when first applying the brakes in a rapid fashion, if I let up within the same stop and reapply, they don't pull at all. Or, if I apply very slowly, they don't pull. It's always to the right.

I redid the pads and rotors soon after getting the car, again 17k ago including turning the rotors (Brute Stop pads don't last very long), but didn't do anything with the calipers either time. I just redid the front brakes this weekend, including rebuilding and cleaning up the calipers. I was hoping rebuilding the calipers would cure it. It didn't. Since I've had the car I've had the front end aligned 3 times, including the last when poly bushings were installed.

I haven't gotten to the hoses yet ( https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=243528 ), when they arrive we'll see if that makes any difference.

One thing I haven't done is ball joints or tie rod ends, but I haven't ever noticed any play in them (and the vultures doing the alignments never said anything, although the 1st time they said the idler arm was bad so I replaced it then took it back for the alignment).

 

Hey five7kid,

My bet is on the hoses (like everyone else said). Only your problem since it pulls to the right is on the left side. The right is probably working fine and that is why it pulls.
Replace all hoses (front and back, left and right).

Not trying to be a smarta$$, just having the same "exact" problem.

I have a 1988 Firebird Formula 5.0 (305 ci V8 LB9 - check digit 6) with manual transmission and 16" wheels.

I am looking to order new braided stainless steel brake lines. I was looking at Earl's part # EAR-28A190. Yes I have discs all around.
Steve I was looking at spohn.net and noticed part number Earls-4D-8588-F at http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1426. Are these the same???

Anybody can comment on these lines or recommend a different brand/model?

I am also looking (further down into the summer - more time) to get new rotors, pads, and calipers. Here I need help...... One piece, two piece, sloted, solid, and most important --> what brand??? I read most of the forums and got pretty confused. Different people, different opinions.
Again Steve feel free to jump in!!!

Thank for your time everybody.

Harry

 

I just got a call from the parts store that they're in. Both sides. From the outside, the left hose does look worse.

I replaced the rear hose 2 years ago when I put in the current rear end.

 

Amazing.

Installed the new hoses. After the old ones were off, sure enough, the left was restricted compared to the right.

It stops straight for the first time since I've had the car (Aug '99). Best the brakes have ever worked.

 

Great news.

 

The hoses cost as much as the pads & caliper rebuild kits together.

I'm going to have to relearn how to drive the car, not having to adjust the steering wheel every time I hit the brakes. It's become automatic.

Same story with the '57. But I'm not supposed to talk about that here...