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Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 08:14 AM
  #1  
Cobrasnake302's Avatar
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Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

I am looking to buy a '90 Formula, it needs a few things, and I'm trying to add everything up that it needs to see if it's worth buying. When I test drove it, it seemed to drive pretty straignt, a little sloppy at times, but when I apply the brakes, it really pulles hard to the right. Any idea what this could be. Could one of the brake calipers be stronger than the other side making it pull to one direction, should I get new ones, or would it be another problem with parts/bushing in the front suspension?? Anyone have the same problem, is this common for these cars?? It has about 75,xxx miles on it.
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 08:21 AM
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From: Green Bay Wi
Car: 85 IROC / 69 Firebird convertible
Engine: 5.0 / 350
Transmission: t-5 / WC t-5
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Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

Could be as simple as a bad flex line to one of the front calipers. Both went bad on my '85 about 3 years ago.
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 08:44 AM
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Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
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Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

Originally Posted by Cobrasnake302
When I test drove it, it seemed to drive pretty straignt, a little sloppy at times, but when I apply the brakes, it really pulles hard to the right. Any idea what this could be.
Generally a symptom, as Hank suggests, of a brake line acting as a check valve. Replace both sides and I suspect you'll be good to go.

JamesC

Last edited by JamesC; Mar 28, 2009 at 10:49 AM.
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 10:29 AM
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Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (SOLD)
Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

I would replace the rubber brake hoses (both sides) with stainleess steel ones. Do the simple things first.
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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From: Anchorage, Ak
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 Posi
Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

Replace the rubber brake line connecting to the caliper.
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 05:19 PM
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Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

It can also be a worn out caliper if the new rubber lines don't fix it.
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 04:48 PM
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Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

I knowhow you feel. I took my 91 out for a drive after a yr of not driving it .. I stomped on the gas to clear it out and then hit on my brakes to slow down after awhile.. OMG I almost put her in the ditch. It went to the right so bad I almost lost control .. I drove home the rest of the way doing about 20 mph. and I had to change my undees
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 06:51 PM
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Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

prob a bad hose or caliper on the left side
change the caliper and hose
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 10:09 AM
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Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

As stated above it's more than likely the hose or caliper.While your in there also check the other hose to the caliper for cracks.If it's cracked (if you decide to buy the car), Replace them both.
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 02:46 PM
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From: Sanford, FL
Car: 92 RS Camaro
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

mine pulls to the left but I know its the caliper/low tire pressure.
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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From: murfreesboro tn
Car: 1984 camaro
Engine: 355 sbc mildly built
Transmission: th350 w/shift kit and megashifter
Axle/Gears: 272 posi borg warner
Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

souds ike just the same as mine when i first bought it. they have a ruber hose that connects to the caliper and it gets clogged up. so a simple way to find out if this is the problem is take the left hose off on both ends and try to blow threw it. if you cant there is your problem. thats what mine was.
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 08:17 PM
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Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

Well, I went ahead and bought new hoses for both sides, I took the wheels off and they looked dry rotted, and I figured since all the brake parts are cheap, I just went ahead and bought new calipers and pads for each side also, total price was $100 for everything, not a bad price. I'l post my results once I complete the job. Thanks for all your replys
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 06:29 PM
  #13  
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Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

Everything works perfect now, no pulling. I can't narrow it down to the hoses or capilers because I did both, but either way, I'm happy now it doesn't pull at all and stops perfect. Thanks for all the help!!
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 09:37 PM
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Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
Re: Car pulls hard to right when brakes applied???

What Pads did you go with. PLEASE tell me you didn't go with the super cheapies.
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