73 Brake Jam

[kg2cc4]

Right front brake caliper pulls hard to the right. Same thing happened with the old brake system so I replaces it. Any solutions?

 

[giantpune]

Did you replace the complete brake system? Proportioning value, steel lines, rummer hoses, etc?
It sounds like the left caliper could be frozen or junk in the brake lines to the left caliper. If you replaced the caliper, that could still leave crap in the lines. Or the line could be kinked.

 

[kg2cc4]

I replaced master cylinder, distribution block, brake lines, rotors, calipers, and brake pads.

 

[mrgmhale]

If you replaced all those parts, to include the rubber hydraulic brake lines, I would be looking at the two new calipers. If the left caliper is sticking and not applying pressure to its pads, the car will pull to the right on braking. A violent pull to the right tells me the problem is on the left side. I doubt not cleaning and lubricating the calipers' sliding parts ought not cause a severe issue like hard pulling, but it is worth pulling the pad holder from the caliper frames and applying a little wheel bearing or brake grease on those sliding surfaces.

Also, if you only replaced brake parts on the front, it is entirely possible a wheel cylinder is not activating properly, causing the car to pull when braking. I have heard of the rubber hydraulic hoses suffering inner wall failures that prevent brake fluid from getting sent under pressure to their respective calipers or wheel cylinders. Do not be deluded into thinking that a new caliper is not able to have a problem. GiantPune has some good thoughts also, to include a possible a pinched steel (or rubber) brake line.

 

[Steve McMahan]

I wonder if the rear brakes could cause the same effect? I mean, if you changed all of the parts from your foot to the brake, maybe you’re looking at the wrong end? I’m no brake expert, but if the effect is a duplicate of the prior issue, then the new parts are not likely the cause and it is something else you haven’t addressed. Since I’ve never had this problem, I’m providing a contrary view to see if the problem lies elsewhere.

 

[Duncan Mach72]

Possibly not a brake issue but suspension? If strut rod bushing is gone on the right, the wheel will move backwards under braking & give the same effect.

You could test for even brake application by jacking up front, 1 person progressively applies brakes while the other checks torque required to rotate wheels.

 

[jeae1999]

If the left caliper is sticking and not applying pressure to its pads, the car will pull to the right on braking. Had the same problem and

mrgmhale and that was the problem.​

 

[mrgmhale]

If the left caliper is sticking and not applying pressure to its pads, the car will pull to the right on braking. Had the same problem and

mrgmhale and that was the problem.​

Even a blind squirrel gets lucky and finds a nut once in a while, eh? heh heh... Seriously, I am glad you were able to determine the caliper ws the problem. But, I am also sorry you ran into that problem, especially with a new/rebuilt caliper. I hope the seller of the caliper treated you right...

Have I told anyone in this forum how much I love to work on these First Generation Mustangs and Shelbys? Well, I do. But, given my medical limitations I do not get to work on our vintage pony cars as much s I like. And, they are all running so well that there is not much to do anyway other than seasonal oil & filter changes. I think next car season I will pack the front wheel bearings on the 73 Mustang Convertible (about 21,000 original odometer miles due to being barn stored over 40 years, so I will do it "just because"). I "think" I repacked the wheel bearings on the 69 GT500 the other year, but I will pull off a wheel and spindle cap to check. On the 73 Mach 1 I replaced and packed all wheel bearings as the right outer wheel bearing had failed, causing me to replace all 4 wheel bearings, both rotors, front pads, and R/F spindle/hub - so nothing needed on that Mustang for a while...