The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Brake Sway

Just finished my truck yesterday. Took it for a test drive and everything worked. Only one problem. At a speed of between 30 or 50, when hitting the brakes, the truck wants to steer off to the left. I put new brakes on the rear so thought maybe they just need to be seated in. Also, checked the tire air pressure. Any thoughts on how to adjust. Thanks. :confused:

It could be that the rear brakes aren,t seated but more likely the fronts have a problem. It could be fluid or grease leaking on the linings, stuck wheel cylinders, bad brake hoses, or loose wheel brgs.

Did you adjust your brakes properly? If the right side is not adjusted per the shop manual instructins, the truck would steer left.

i would agree with 51. if the shoes are set unevenly, the truck will pull to the "tighter" side.

back the shoes off on the side that it pulls towards or tighten the shoes up on the non-pull side and take another test drive. if the condition persists then investigate wrenchbender's theory.

Thanks everyone, I will give those thoughts a try later this week.

this same thing occured not 6 months ago and I found out that the front LT brake cyl. was NO GOOD so I changed both RT and LT brake Cyl. and the linings.

And now she brakes just great, and NO PULL TO THE LEFT.


Cliff59

Wrenchbender Ret, I tried some of your advise and found that the left front wheel bearing nut needed to be tightened. Apparently after driving the test drive, it loosened up a bit. Turned the nut about 1/2 turn to tighten and now it does not have any wobble. Think this could be the problem of pulling to the left when braking. Haven't had a chance to drive since I did the above due to weather so don't know if the brakes are adjusted just right or not.

I may have found part of my problem on the brake sway. After examining the bearings and hub, I found out that the inner bearing is cracked and one ball bearing will fall out of it. I will replace that. Also, the inner bearing will not stay in the hub because there is not any felt lining to hold it in. This may be a loose bearing affecting the brakes. :mad: Do any of you know of a replacement felt or a way to hold the bearing in place so it will not drop out? Normally they just tap out. I have a new bearing to replace the old one but no felt. Any thoughts. :confused:

The felt is part of the front wheel grease seal. Buy one from any parts place.