How to Fix a Squirrelly Front End?
Ever since I bought my 2001 Ford E350 chassis class C, the RV has pulled to one side or the other when I brake. I've had the brakes redone. New brake disks put on. Tested out everything brake related....
Forum Discussion
Yes, yes and yes to the above mentioned brake calipers and to the brakes causing the pull. Front end issues won't cause brake pull.
You asked, front end refers to all the various steering components, ball joints, wheel bearings etc that hold your wheels pointing in the right direction.
Calipers can stick internally and wont show up on a visual inspection. Also make sure the caliper sliders are not stuck. Sliders are a term referring to the calipers moving on the pins, or the bolts that hold them on. If the bolts are rusted or seized, a caliper can stick and suffer inefficient operation. They usually have a greased internal O ring that runs on the pin.
And if the piston is sticking, same deal. New calipers fix that, but ensuring the place where the caliper slides on the bolts needs to be clean too is important.
And don't overlook the proportioning valve either. This is a junction block after the master cylinder that regulates the ratio of front to rear brake pressure, 60/40 or what ever it is.
If there is a chunk of schmoo in one of the openings to the brake line, you get more pressure to one side, causing it to pull.
Also, check out the front brake hoses going from the steel line to the caliper. If they are old, original from 2001, they could be breaking down inside. A loose piece of rubber can actually make a flap that closes off the hose under pressure, again causing more braking to the other side, and it pulling.
I know this to be fact, I had the same issue on a 78 Chev pickup years ago. 2 new rubber brake lines to the calipers cured the braking pull.
You asked, front end refers to all the various steering components, ball joints, wheel bearings etc that hold your wheels pointing in the right direction.
Calipers can stick internally and wont show up on a visual inspection. Also make sure the caliper sliders are not stuck. Sliders are a term referring to the calipers moving on the pins, or the bolts that hold them on. If the bolts are rusted or seized, a caliper can stick and suffer inefficient operation. They usually have a greased internal O ring that runs on the pin.
And if the piston is sticking, same deal. New calipers fix that, but ensuring the place where the caliper slides on the bolts needs to be clean too is important.
And don't overlook the proportioning valve either. This is a junction block after the master cylinder that regulates the ratio of front to rear brake pressure, 60/40 or what ever it is.
If there is a chunk of schmoo in one of the openings to the brake line, you get more pressure to one side, causing it to pull.
Also, check out the front brake hoses going from the steel line to the caliper. If they are old, original from 2001, they could be breaking down inside. A loose piece of rubber can actually make a flap that closes off the hose under pressure, again causing more braking to the other side, and it pulling.
I know this to be fact, I had the same issue on a 78 Chev pickup years ago. 2 new rubber brake lines to the calipers cured the braking pull.
