why would a car pull to the right when brakes are applied? this car has disc brakes on front but they used to original brake pads (or shoes... damn, can't remember... because he said they were in good shape. to me, why wouldnt you use the pads that came with the new disc brakes.

You should install new pads w/new or freshly turned rotors.

MBHD

You should install new pads w/new or freshly turned rotors.

MBHD

why would a car pull to the right when brakes are applied? this car has disc brakes on front but they used to original brake pads (or shoes... damn, can't remember... because he said they were in good shape. to me, why wouldnt you use the pads that came with the new disc brakes.

Disk brakes = pads
Drum brakes = shoes

There could be a number of things that make a brake system pull one way or the other.

If you had old pads put on new rotors, you may have a pull problem under braking because (even if they look good) they wear to the old rotor, plus they might be glased over from being hot at one point.

If you had new calipers put on, there may still be air in the lines. This will cause a pull under braking as well.

If you have a bad caliper that may possibly be sticking.....that would cause a pull problem.

If you had new calipers installed and one was the incorrect one (I highly doubt it, but I think it's possible) it will pull.

Brake lines.....don't know what kinda car you are working on, but if it's a 60's camaro, just remember that the rubber brake lines are coming up on 40 years old if they havent been changed.

Like I said, there are a number of things that can make a car pull inder braking.

Hope this helps,

Joe

Joe, its a car I was test driving... also, the parking break wont work. when pressed, it wont go down. at first I didn't think much about it as I'm still learning these cars. then, while doing research, I see the BIG PICTURE. the guy added the front disc breaks,,, could he have just not done it correctly and that causes the car to pull, along with the parking break not to work?

When a car pulls to one side (the right, in your case) it simply means that the brakes on that side are grabbing more than the brakes on the other side. Now you need to find the reason that the left side is not performing up to par, or perhaps the right side is grabbing too hard.

It could be any number of things - a stuck caliper, air in brake line, grease or oil on pads, worn pads, worn rotor, seized mounting hardware, etc. Fortunately, all the parts are readily available and very inexpensive. Also, it's easy to remove and replace the parts.

The front brakes do not affect the parking brake in any way, shape or manner. The front brakes are operated by hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder. The parking brake applies ONLY the rear brakes and it does so mechanically, via the small emer brake pedal and cables.

The whole system is pretty straightforward and easy to repair, so that's the good news. But it's bad news to be driving around with all the problems you describe. I would get to work and fix this stuff all up real nice-nice. If there's one thing you want operating perfectly, it's the brakes! ;)

I was repairing these systems when they were brand new. I can't believe it was 37 years ago that I went through this course -

http://csgbenefits.org/brakecert.jpg


It could possibly be wheel alignment too, but I would start with front brakes.

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When a car pulls to one side (the right, in your case) it simply means that the brakes on that side are grabbing more than the brakes on the other side. Now you need to find the reason that the left side is not performing up to par, or perhaps the right side is grabbing too hard.

It could be any number of things - a stuck caliper, air in brake line, grease or oil on pads, worn pads, worn rotor, seized mounting hardware, etc. Fortunately, all the parts are readily available and very inexpensive. Also, it's easy to remove and replace the parts.

The front brakes do not affect the parking brake in any way, shape or manner. The front brakes are operated by hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder. The parking brake applies ONLY the rear brakes and it does so mechanically, via the small emer brake pedal and cables.

The whole system is pretty straightforward and easy to repair, so that's the good news. But it's bad news to be driving around with all the problems you describe. I would get to work and fix this stuff all up real nice-nice. If there's one thing you want operating perfectly, it's the brakes! ;)

I was repairing these systems when they were brand new. I can't believe it was 37 years ago that I went through this course -

http://csgbenefits.org/brakecert.jpg


It could possibly be wheel alignment too, but I would start with front brakes.

-

Dave, that is AWESOME! United Delco......isin't that the same as AC Delco now?

Good post by the way. I could not have said it better myself.

Joe :thumbsup:

I would look for a sticking or lazy left caliper.

Dave, that is AWESOME! United Delco......isin't that the same as AC Delco now?

Good post by the way. I could not have said it better myself.

Joe :thumbsup:


Hehe, I thought that old document was pretty cool. I took the course just outside Boston, MA.

And I do believe that AC Delco used to be United Delco.............

;)