I just got my car back from the shop and now it's going slower. It's selective, though. I floored the car in 5th gear, and the speed went nowhere. Then later I could get it up to around 95 before I decided to slow down. It does feel slower in all gears, though. I just had my brakes, shocks, and struts replaced. Here's a list of what they did:

computerized wheel align
2 front struts replaced
2 lower ball joints replaced
1 idler arm replaced
2 front hub/rotor assemblies (Brakes) replaced
prostop ceramic pads installed
pinion seal replaced
2 front inner bearing sets replaced
2 front outer bearing sets replaced

The ride is still a bit rough, but the car rides a bit smoother and doesn't bottom out on bumps. Do shocks/struts take some time to break in? The brakes also cause me to drift to the left or right when I hit the brakes at times as well. So, what could be up with the acceleration issues?

 

Search for trouble codes? Maybe you just get that feeling like 'something just isn't right' when you get it back from the shop. I get that feeling sometimes.

 

That is your problem. Flooring a 305 TBI in 5th gear is just as effective as standing still. How does the car feel 1 thru 3?

 

No, the car moved faster before this work was done, I'm 100% sure of it. It wouldn't just sit there when flooring it before the work was done, and about 30 minutes after the problem I got the car up to 95 easily compared to when it stuck at 60. The car feels slower through all gears. I think the brakes are grabbing a little or something. It's definately not due to being a 305 tbi, the car didn't have the problem before and the problem slightly went away at the time I got to 95. The check engine light hasn't turned on, and I know the light works.

 

If they replaced front brakes, then they probably adjusted the rear brakes too. Aer they rear disc or drum? Sometimes people adjust the rear brakes too tight. A good way to check is to jack up the rear of the car. Put it in neutral and spin each of the back tires. They should spin about one full turn before stopping, if not, then they are too tight.
The front wheel bearings being too tight can also cause dragging too. Front wheels should free spin more than one revolution, but I can't remember how much. Listen to the brakes/bearings when you free spin the tires. You should hear a little dragging sound, but not alot. You said that it seems to be pulling to either side when you're braking?

 

If I press hard on the brakes, it doesn't drift. Sometimes when I apply them normally, it'll pull to the right or left, random direction. I also feel a slight pop in the brake pedal sometimes while braking. I'm going to take the car back to the shop tomorrow and get them to fix it. I just don't want to have to keep taking it back, so suggestions on what the problem could be are always welcome. Unfortunately, I'm not going to have time to jack the car up and check the tires because I have to go to work, take the car to the shop, go to the vet, and pack tomorrow, so my entire day will be full.

 

Well, just drop it off to them and fully explain the problems you are having. Let them test drive it to see if they can reproduce the problems. If they are reputable, they should have no problem taking a look at it. I've dealt with more than my fair share of customer complaints after work has been performed. Just try to be nice to them, as they are the ones working on your car, ya know

 

I'll be nice to them. As long as they fix it, I don't care. I'm not sure how much it'd eat the pads if I drove the car about 100 miles with the brakes grabbing some. Would it eat them enough to ask them to replace the pads due to their error?

 

First, see if they can find out what the problem is. Ask them what they will do to fix it. Then, you can find out if you need to ask about the pads or not. At best, we are just guessing until the car is actually checked over.

 

Not too long ago a guy on the drivetrain board posted that his SO's car was a dog after the pinion seal was replaced. The shop torqued the pinion yoke nut to the point of binding up the pinion bearings. . .

RBob.

 

Today the car seems to have most, if not all, of its previous speed back. I'm pretty sure it's the brakes, but I'll have them check the pinion as well. I'm taking it in at 8am tomorrow so the guy can look at it immediately. Thanks for the info guys.