My 80 suddenly pulls HARD to the right when braking!

[Skillet]

Got up this morning in the pouring rain and started my rig to head to the airport.

All seemed good for the first 20 miles or so but then, while going over hwy 17, I hit the brakes and almost got pulled off the right side of the road.

Managed to get the rest of the way to the airport. Every once in a while, hitting the brakes, hard and soft and the son-of-a-gun was pulling hard to the right every time.

While driving down the highway at speed she was tracking great.

Only when I would hit the brakes was this an issue.
All tires were properly inflated. I checked around with a flashlight and saw nothing amiss with the suspention or brakes.


AND THEN....when I shut her down in the parking lot, I took the key out and opened the door. When I open the door, there is this new beeping noise that I have never heard before. Almost like a warning bell of some sort that lasted 10 seconds or so. However, nothing was amiss! All lights off, car in park, no warning lights on on the dash etc.

Could this be some sort of warning about brakes?

Very confused.

Any ideas?

 

[NorCalSam]

Have you rebuilt the calipers yet? If not, do it when I did mine one of them was nearly rusted solid and I had a very hard time getting one of the those things out.

If only one side is working good it will pull like that.

"there is this new beeping noise that I have never heard before. Almost like a warning bell of some sort that lasted 10 seconds or so. However, nothing was amiss! All lights off, car in park, no warning lights on on the dash etc."


We too have heard that before.... I don't know what it is either.

 

[Skillet]

Have you rebuilt the calipers yet? If not, do it when I did mine one of them was nearly rusted solid and I had a very hard time getting one of the those things out.

If only one side is working good it will pull like that.

"there is this new beeping noise that I have never heard before. Almost like a warning bell of some sort that lasted 10 seconds or so. However, nothing was amiss! All lights off, car in park, no warning lights on on the dash etc."


We too have heard that before.... I don't know what it is either.

But what would make one brake just suddenly stop working?
Do you think it may be an ABS electronic issue?
I am assuming it is the right brake that is working better or harder to make it pull to the right. I have never had them rebuilt and they have been working like a dream until this morning.


So, you have had the bell too? That is odd, never done it before today... Seems to be coming from around the steering column, perhaps the right side.

 

[NorCalSam]

It may or may not be the problem but it is time to rebuild them anyway. It could be a few things. Just my first thought.

Yes we have heard the new and different bell noise for no good reason. Buy we have also had a lot of leaks and water related problems etc.

 

[IdahoDoug]

FYI - there is a rarely heard warning that the sunroof is not fully closed - tilt or slide. Could be a leak has caused a short in the sensor that detects the position when you turn the key off. That's when it begins - at shutdown/key removal.

DougM

 

[topend yobbo]

Try jacking up the right front side of youre vehicle and see if its really stiff to turn, a little drag is ok but a seized caliper will really make it bind.Should notice a lot of excess brake dust on the rim also.
After youre next drive immediatly feel if there is a substantial difference in heat on both front hubs.
Mine got so hot I couldent touch it.
Also make sure you havent warped the rotor or overheated the wheel bearngs.

 

[Mickldo]

If it's pulling to the right it is most probably the LHF caliper siezed and not working, Leaving the RHF to do all the work. Like top end said jack the wheels up and check for drag but also get a mate to apply the brakes while you spin the wheel. Check all four wheels but my bet is on the LHF caliper not applying.

 

[cptmud]

you could have a sized calliper, or a leaking axel seal, which will put oil on the rotor, jack up the front end and have a look first, if no visable signs, get somebody to apply the brakes, and see if 1 wheel spin easly

 

[jaxcruiser]

The warning is the sunroof warning the brakes do that in mine to

 

[Skillet]

If the sunroof is somehow cracked open a bit, and it is raining, like it is right now in san jose and I am in Texas, will the water drain or will it destroy everything? Sh*t.
I will be out of town until tomorrow. Perhaps I bumped the sunroof switch when I turned on the inside light.

 

[IdahoDoug]

If you're parked nose level, or nose downhill you're OK - their are two front drains to handle it if you bumped the slide button a tad. If you bumped the tilt button a bit you're similarly OK so I wouldn't sweat it.

DougM

 

[topend yobbo]

I dont get it ? youre more worried about a sunroof then a major potential brake failure with ensuing horrific car accident. Get your s%&t together and fix the brake problem.
A car that wont start is a nuisence, a car that wont stop is a killer.
You have far to many dodads to worry about in those overseas models.

 

[Skillet]

I dont get it ? youre more worried about a sunroof then a major potential brake failure with ensuing horrific car accident. Get your s%&t together and fix the brake problem.
A car that wont start is a nuisence, a car that wont stop is a killer.
You have far to many dodads to worry about in those overseas models.

Not more worried about it at all. But the brake thing is tangible, I can deal with repairing that when I get home as it won't get worse between now and then.
Unfortunately, I think I did the whole sunroof thing during the worst thunder/rainstorms that we have seen all year in that area.
My girlfriend keeps calling me and telling me how hard the monsoons are coming down up there as I sit here in Texas, helpless to close my sunroof.
I am just thinking that if water gets in and saturates everthing, I may never be able to get things right again.
Don't worry, brakes are the #1 priority.
I did not make it to the ripe old age of 37 by not understanding the importance of stopping.

 

[ElJefe]

I am just thinking that if water gets in and saturates everthing, I may never be able to get things right again.

You got that right... I left my DS window opened during a downpour and the electric locks had a mind of their own for 2 weeks. None of the buttons, or the keys would work, and the locks would unlock at random times on their own. This was fine until you would park and they would all be unlocked and you get to walk a full lap around the POS and lock all the doors including the hatch. Not really relevant to the brakes but...

 

[Poriomania]

FWIW I had this same problem and did the caliper rebuild at the same time i replaced the front wheel bearings and did a birf job. The shafts on the calipers were not rusted at all and seemed to be fine. I think what fixed it was the wheel bearings. Not saying you'd have to replace, but maybe check and see if they need a repack and tightening.