The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Help me diagnose

More issues with the brakes, although finally it is stopping and I have put about 300 miles on my 46 Stylemaster... the problem now is getting it to stop straight. If I jump on the brakes it pull real HARD to the right. Every part of the braking system is 100% new and adjusted correctly. I am beginning to think this is some sort of steering issue being amplified by the brakes. Under normal stopping its O.K. but if you jump on the brakes, you better hold on. What can i do to resolve this?

DG

It sounds like the right is wanting to brake more than the left. Or maybe the reverse is the situation, The left won't brake as much as the right when you brake hard.

I'm assuming because you said everything is new that would mean Cyl., return springs, shoes, right ?

The only other thing I can come up with is the possibility of something in the suspension moving when you brake hard causing the pull to the right.
I would think that it could also include steering components.
You might try having someone watch your front end as you brake to see if they can notice anything strange.
Dan

"100% new"- - - -does that include the flex lines from the frame to the front wheels? Sometimes, the flex line on one side can collapse internally as pressure is applied, restricting pressure to one brake. The other brake applies first, pulling the truck toward that wheel. It will be more noticeable on a hard brake application, because the good brake comes on quicker. If yours is pulling to the right, check on the left brake.
Jerry

Try bleeding the left side again could be just a little air in it yet and readjust the brakes.If you jack one side of the front up and grab the tire thats off the ground try and push ,pull from the side you should be able to see if there is any thing loose in your'e steering.

Pete

Good thought Jerry, that one got by me cause it doesn't come up real often.
Here's another, although not real scientific, the gravel road skid test.
Brake on gravel to see if all wheels a grabbing the same. Doing it on grass works also but tears up the turf so use your neighbors lawn.
It doesn't always produce results but sometimes shows the difference between how a wheel is grabbing.

Dan

"tears up the turf so use your neighbors lawn."

glasman...glad you don't live next door to me. HA! That is funny.

Well, you did make a post a while back about having some slight body issues, it would rock side to side, am I right? This might be changing steering geometry, or it might be me pulling things out of my rear end.

Make sure each drum is the same inside diameter. If one has been cut more than the other, it will cause this scenerio,
Scott

Oh god that's the only thing that's original..... I replaced everything brand new except the left front brake line. Let me do that and get back to you.....

Right and rear lines are all new... pads are new, drums are new, wheel cylinders are new... springs are Original.

DG