Hard braking causing bj42 to swerve left

[gooberus]

Hello all,

Though I've driven a CJ7 in college, I am fairly new to landcruisers. So when I got recently got my 83 bj42 lx, I was pretty stoked to get reacquainted with the bumpy and clunky yet satisfying ride. So the other day, I'm cruising down the 71 expressway at 50 mph only to be surprise by a sudden traffic light change. Luckily, I had some distance such that I didn't have to make skid marks, but it was a pretty significant thrust. To my surprise, the LC swerved to the left and then back straight. Is this something I have to live with or something I can upgrade to resolve? I'm so hoping its that latter.

Specs:
83 bj42 lx
front discs, rear drums
Old Man Emu on all corners
215/85/16 M+S tires (appears pretty new)

Thanks all for your help.

 

[amaurer]

Obviously something is wrong with your brakes. Probably the rear drums. Inspect and replace.

Late models like yours have automatic adjusters on the rear drums, you can try giving the hand brake 20 HARD pulls-and-releases. More than likely, however, something is wrong and you'll need to get in there to take a look.

Common problems are bad or stuck cylinders, or shoes contaminated by brake fluid or diff oil.

 

[rendrag]

I would think it would be something in the front brakes. Make sure they are both adjusted the same.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Insufficient caster angle, loose wheel bearings, loose trunion bearings, low or un-balanced tire pressures, loose steering components.

Brakes - worn out pads, stuck or seized calipers, problems with the rear brakes are possible but check the front ones first.

Or, a combination of any of the above things.


~John

 

[cjgoode]

Jack the front up see if either wheel is loose, move top to bottom or left to right. Looking for loose parts as per the above post. Then inspect the disc brakes leaking brake fluid or other contamination of the pads. It is something on the front end to make it swerve.

 

[bikersmurf]

Hello all,

Though I've driven a CJ7 in college, I am fairly new to landcruisers. So when I got recently got my 83 bj42 lx, I was pretty stoked to get reacquainted with the bumpy and clunky yet satisfying ride. So the other day, I'm cruising down the 71 expressway at 50 mph only to be surprise by a sudden traffic light change. Luckily, I had some distance such that I didn't have to make skid marks, but it was a pretty significant thrust. To my surprise, the LC swerved to the left and then back straight. Is this something I have to live with or something I can upgrade to resolve? I'm so hoping its that latter.

Specs:
83 bj42 lx
front discs, rear drums
Old Man Emu on all corners
215/85/16 M+S tires (appears pretty new)

Thanks all for your help.

No, it's not something you have to live with! Your 42 should be able to stop straight in a situation like that... Even with a 2000 lb trailer behind you.

Most likely is brakes... Follower by Alignment, bearings, tires, and suspension.

Oh, and welcome. (official mud salute)

 

[gooberus]

Thanks all for all your insight. Will work through each one and let you know the outcome.

 

[gooberus]

Brakes look good. Was told by a local mechanic that the angle of the steering joint to the wheel could be causing the swerve. Any thoughts?

 

[bikersmurf]

That knuckle looks normal (and is not adjustable)... Needs a rebuild though.

I'd rebuild the front knuckles, align the wheels, and perhaps add a shim to increase castor.

I'd also find a skid pad to see what's happening with your brakes for sure.





It could also be oil/grease on your brake pads...

 

[Jerry D.]

It may be the picture angle or my eyes, but is the brake pad extended all the way to the rotor??? Or perhaps the pad was put in reversed, pad toward extender and metal back towards rotor???

Jerry D.

 

[cjgoode]

Zooming in on that picture looks like the brake pad is very warn. Is the other side that warn. I would check the rotor and pads, looks like fluid on top of the caliper and near the pad. Clean it up and put new pads on and see what happens. If one side is warn to metal it will brake differently then the other side, as well as if it is contaminated with grease or brake fluid.

 

[Mark W]

If it swerves under braking and other wise handles properly, it is brakes and you need to find a new mechanic.

If if pulls the hard wheel in your hands, it is front brakes. if it swerves drifts without a yank on the wheel it is rear. Front is most likely. It is most likely a brake not helping to slow the vehicle rather than one doing too much. it is also likely that the rear brakes are not doing as much as they should (common in these rigs due to failure to adjust).


Mark...

 

[eleblanc]

You have a suspension lift? try 2 degree leaf spring shim for the caster angle.

I had the same problems, the shim solved 90% of my problems. Bad caster due to lift + wide tires does this wander left and right when braking.
It is worse when the road as grooves

 

[bikersmurf]

If it swerves under braking and other wise handles properly, it is brakes and you need to find a new mechanic.

If if pulls the hard wheel in your hands, it is front brakes. if it swerves drifts without a yank on the wheel it is rear. Front is most likely. It is most likely a brake not helping to slow the vehicle rather than one doing too much. it is also likely that the rear brakes are not doing as much as they should (common in these rigs due to failure to adjust).


Mark...

X2

I'd agree those pads look shot. It takes a very long time to get that worn... You likely need a front brake job.