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Pulling Front Brakes

walex

By walex
in Ask A GM Technician

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walex Enthusiast

walex

Posted
Posted

Hi! I'm new to the group and need some of that great technical help I've seen posted on the site. I've got a problem with front brakes pulling to the right on my 1996 GMC 1500. It has 110,000 miles and has good pads, rotors and the wheel bearings are in good shape and recently repacked. My thinking is, if it pulls to the right then the left must not be braking good enough. I've cleaned the surface of the caliper guides on both front wheels and done a thorough inspection. During the inspection I extended the piston of the caliper on each wheel seperately and noticed that my left wheel caliper didn't move as freely as the right. Also when I push the piston back in with a C-clamp it is harder to compress than the right. I've taken the truck back out for a test drive and noticed that the pulling isn't as severe and the left wheel seems to just have a delayed braking now. It initially pulls to the right and then the left conters the right pull and it then balances out. Can anyone tell me if I have a caliper problem or is this something more complicated?

 

All help is definitely appreciated.

Walex

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

Most likely a sticking caliper. Could also be uneven tire wear, front end alignment, worn front end parts, idler arm, tie rods, etc.

 

EDIT: I've seen brake hoses come apart internally and cause a pull as well.

walex Enthusiast

walex

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Hi! I'm new to the group and need some of that great technical help I've seen posted on the site. I've got a problem with front brakes pulling to the right on my 1996 GMC 1500. It has 110,000 miles and has good pads, rotors and the wheel bearings are in good shape and recently repacked. My thinking is, if it pulls to the right then the left must not be braking good enough. I've cleaned the surface of the caliper guides on both front wheels and done a thorough inspection. During the inspection I extended the piston of the caliper on each wheel seperately and noticed that my left wheel caliper didn't move as freely as the right. Also when I push the piston back in with a C-clamp it is harder to compress than the right. I've taken the truck back out for a test drive and noticed that the pulling isn't as severe and the left wheel seems to just have a delayed braking now. It initially pulls to the right and then the left conters the right pull and it then balances out. Can anyone tell me if I have a caliper problem or is this something more complicated?

 

All help is definitely appreciated.

Walex

 

Thanks Jim. All of my front end, tires, alignment etc are good, it is a very well maintained truck. I'm thinking my focus needs to be in the brake system. What is the remedy for a sticking caliper?

pennzoil29 Senior Enthusiast

pennzoil29

Posted
Posted

Zembonez summed it all up for you. As far as I know, you can't fix a failing caliper. You need to replace it. I would definately replace them both though. If not, you will still be pulling to one side. jmho

hubbycap Senior Enthusiast

hubbycap

Posted
Posted
I've seen brake hoses come apart internally and cause a pull as well.

 

 

+1

 

Could be hose debris obstructing fluid flow. If the caliper releases correctly the debris could be acting as an unwanted check valve. Your caliper compression could have dislodged the debris temporarily. Caliper <$20. 12 years old, I just replaced them in my '95 C1500 a year ago. Piece of mind with replacement of flexible brake line well worth it too. Fluid flush due, I'm sure.

walex Enthusiast

walex

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks Fred for the reply. I'll follow up on your advice and see where it takes me. I try to eliminate all simple remedies before making a purchase, but that sounds like what I need to do.

 

Walex

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