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Topic: Brakes or something else ?

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/21/08 6:45pm Message 1 of 14
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.
I haven't taken a look at the brakes yet, but I think my problem is due to something else.
Recently every time I apply the brakes the car goes left, it actually feels like I'm hydro-planing.
If I keep the wheel from going left when I apply the brakes, the car will quit pulling even if I continue to put more pressure on the brakes.
Steering & fluid are fine, tires are fairly new, there's no gringing sound from the brakes.
Any Idea's ?
Thanks



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Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 7:33am Message 2 of 14
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You definitely need to check your brakes.


corvette440hp

Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 8:06am Message 3 of 14
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548
Vette(s): Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland) Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327 Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp White 79 Coupe L 82 auto Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp 35th Anniv '88 vette
Boy I sure agree with Corvette440....

 IF you only have this problem when braking... What else would cause this problem..? extremely low tire pressure ?

IF you "feel" the car doing this while under WOT...I'd be looking at your trailing arms..

Bob G





Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
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Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 9:12am Message 4 of 14
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Holland Patent, NY - USA
Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4422
Vette(s): #1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker
I had a brake fluid leak after long storage, it soaked the pads.
The pads were brand new when I last drove it before storage. I replaced the leaking claiper (passenger side) and figured once the pads got some heat they would burn off the fluid.
Wrong....when I touched the pedal the driver side would grab as the pass side had no grab because of the fluid.
I replaced both sets of pads drivers and pass and it stops fine now.
Good luck.




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Evil Smileebo

Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 9:42am Message 5 of 14
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
My first guess would be a brake problem.  Either a stuck caliper or wet pads or plugged hose.  My second guess would be something loose in the suspension so it jerks once, then stays there until you drive again.  It could be front or rear.  In any case, I would consider it an emergency, and not drive until I found it.

Larry



Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 9:45am Message 6 of 14
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Lots of things can cause this.
Your job, Mr. Cookie, if you decide to accept it, is to find the culprit. As always, if you, or any of your IM team are captured, the Secretary will dis-avow any knowledge of your actions....This post will sef destruct in 5 seconds.....

Sorry...got a little distracted...
Control arm bushings, idler arm, ball joints, front brakes, alignment, tire pressures, cracks in the frame(around the control arms), rear trailing arm bushings, rear brakes...any of these could possibly cause a pull to one side with brake application.
Does it actually turn the steering wheel hard when it happens, or does the front of the car move first to the left?


Joel Adams
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Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 1:29pm Message 7 of 14
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.

The steering wheel definitely pulls left.

Tires, trailing arms have less than 1,000 miles on them. All bushings,  bearings, and fittings have less than 2,500 miles. I'm hoping it's the brakes, and not something more serious.
 



Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 6:53pm Message 8 of 14
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The steering wheel pull sorta leads to a front braking issue. Either the right side is NOT working, or the left side is dragging/grabbing.
And...as I always say...new don't mean diddly! If you don't find a problem with the brakes, check all of the suspension stuff carefully. A lot of times, when someone does a front end alignment, they fail to get the nuts tight enough on the upper control arms, and the shims will eventually fall out, leading to a pull or jerk when braking...not a happy thing. Double-check all that good stuff while you're checking the brakes.

dam spel-chekAdams' Apple2008-09-22 18:55:17


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/22/08 7:58pm Message 9 of 14
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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA
Joined: 1/3/2006
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Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops
OK Cookie, I had this with mine after replacing the upper and lower A-arm bushings.  As a matter of fact, mine pulled left as well.

What I found, after recovering from the near death experience of changing 4 lanes in a microsecond, was that the left side lower A-arm bolt, {the side closest to the door (right side if you are facing the A-arm)}, was being held in place only by the fact that it can't be removed without removing the A-arm itself.  This is the bolt that goes in the side thru the bushing and ties to the rod that is bolted to the frame.

Check those bolts.  You should be able to do this with a flashlight and turning the wheel left and right (check both of them). 

Good luck and no Joey Chitwood or Steve McQueen driving until you find this.  It won't end well for the car or you if you don't get to the bottom of this.  I don't mean to scare you, but I hope I put the fear of God in you until you find this. 

Anyone can go fast, stopping is another story.



Brakes or something else ?

Posted: 9/23/08 5:17am Message 10 of 14
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.
Thanks guys, as always your input is greatly appreciated. I suspect that I may have something working it's way loose.
I'll check everything this weekend. Since all suspension parts, front and rear are fairly new, I'm  hoping it's not something major. 



in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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