The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop pulling brakes

I have a 57 3100 with its orginally designed brake system. If I have to hit my brakes really hard in traffic (and this happens more and more now) the truck pulls hard to the right. I have to really hold on tight to keep it straight. I had a shop look at all the brakes and I am told that all of the shoes look ok and all of the cylindes are working etc.. I have owned this truck since 1989 and have never replaced the shoes or turned the drums. I replaced the master cylinder two years ago and there is no leakage of fluid. Whats the problem? Should I just go ahead and replace the shoes and turn the drums? I want to drive this truck more and more now that I have a complete engine and tranny overhaul so it needs to be safe.
Thank you,
Kevin

Kevin,

Did the shop charge you for that diagnosis? :rolleyes:


Stuart

Did they at least try to adjust the brakes, and/or have you ever adjusted them?

I would first jack up the front end of the truck, have someone step on the brake pedal and see if both front wheels are "locked up". Even spin them fast and have someone apply the brakes.

If one stops and the other doesn't, you may have a stuck wheel cylinder in the one that continues to turn, or the one that stops could have a leak causing fluid to get on the shoes making it grab upon apply pedal pressure.

If they both stop, manualy adjust the brakes and retest.

Somewhere in this process, the problem should show up.

Some of the other 'Bolters may have some other suggestions.

Joe

He adjusted them and said that they were alot better than his first test drive but I am still not happy with them. Thanks 6cylinders I will try that. I did find some past info on this when I did a search of the forums. I know more than I did. I need to get to the bottom this. I have a feeling just replacing the old shoes and turning the drums will help but I want to eliminate any other reasons too. Thanks to all.

Ya know, they may have told you correctly about your brakes. You may have front suspension wear.
and when you apply your brakes it changes the alignment enough to make it pull.

Kevs57,

I tell this story all the time, but when I brought my 46 home and started working on the brakes, I was convinced the shoes were fine. The shoes were new, but after sitting for 20 years, they had absorbed too much grease. I could never get them to work right. Even after proper adjustment, they still hung up, pulled and just did not work. I changed out the shoes and my problems were solved. It took me awhile to get to the point of changing out shoes even though they had almost 100% worth of pad left on them.

For what is is worth, that is what worked for me.

These are all good points. Another possibility is defective brake hoses. They can swell up inside & restrick the flow of fluid.

I think Wrenchbender has it here. I had similar problem years back. The rubber lines were swelled on the inside restricting flow. I replaced them and the brakes worked perfectly. I cut the old lines in-to, and the lines on one side were completely swelled together on the inside restricting flow. They looked good from the outside. You might want to check to see if you are getting fluid to that side before you start replacing hoses. I hope this helps.

Mark...

I would have the alignment checked. Improper adjustment can cause pulling and torque steer if it were front wheel drive. Check ride height first, it will affect all other adjustments,
Scott

if pulling to right..the left front prob. needs adjusted up or bled.

Also, check the entire vehicle for crushed or damaged steel brake lines. Sometimes due to an accident or improper lifting a brake line can get smashed. I did some work on a 57 convertable a while back that the previous owner had intentionally crimped a rear brake line to shut off the flow to a rear wheel that had an axle seal leak. It stopped the rear from locking up but ultimately caused a severe pull in the front. Fred

If you don't know the age of your rubber lines it is probably a good idea to replace them.
I would resist having the drums turned. most of the time people turn them with no real reason to. That just makes them wear out sooner. However, if they have really bad groves in them, or are not round any more you should turn them, just don't do it for the fun of it, save your money if they are still good.