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Old 09-08-2021, 03:29 PM   #1
whb52ford
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Default car pulls to left when braking

A few months back the car started pulling to the left. The LF wheel cylinder was seeping. I replaced both wheel cylinders and brakes. Problem gone.

Now a few months later the same problem is back. Car pulling to the left.
Wheel cylinders not leaking. I replaced the rubber brake hoses. Problem still here.

I sanded the brake drums to remove any glaze, checked and all 4 pistons in the two wheel cylinders are moving out when brake applied, put anti seize on the backing plate under the brake shoes, Fluid comes out when I bleed both sides.
The shorter shoe is on the front of the car.
Wheel bearings look good. Looked at front end for loose parts and all looked tight. Tried spiking the brakes about 15 times.

Stumped. Any ideas?
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Old 09-08-2021, 03:32 PM   #2
tubman
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Can we assume that the problem is with the '52 Ford in your Avatar?
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Old 09-08-2021, 04:39 PM   #3
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Does it pull to the other side when you let off the pedal ? Did you replace both flex lines ?
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Old 09-08-2021, 06:26 PM   #4
earlyride
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

A problem with the rear brakes can also cause a to pull to the side, ask me how I know
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Old 09-08-2021, 07:14 PM   #5
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Sometimes a pull to one side means that the other side has a problem. Check the right side.
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Old 09-08-2021, 07:24 PM   #6
whb52ford
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

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It is the 52 Ford

I replaced both flex lines

Tell me about the rear brakes?

What should I check on the right side? Did same to both sides.

It always pulls to the left. However when I back up it brakes fine.
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Old 09-08-2021, 08:33 PM   #7
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

With this type of brake make sure the shoe retraces and sits on the anchor bolt with no gap ,
Part# 2027 some Anchor bolts are a cam arrangement so you rotate it and it brings the shoe closer to the drum on one side .If there is a gap were it does-int sit or if it touches the other shoe and makes it loose on the Anchor then on braking you get that side violently actuating .Not sure if this will fix it just something to look at ,
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Old 09-08-2021, 09:06 PM   #8
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

I have not replaced the springs. They appear to be pulling the shoes back to the post. I have not replaced the shoe hold down pins or springs. Pins appear straight. I have driven this car 51 years and have never touched the 2027, so I would think the brakes are centered. It is tight.

Any way to test the springs? Might be easier to just replace. Are you thinking that a weak spring might let a shoe move before the others?
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Old 09-09-2021, 04:35 AM   #9
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Possible something is loose in the suspension?
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Old 09-09-2021, 05:50 AM   #10
whb52ford
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Did not see anything loose. No missing nuts.
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Old 09-09-2021, 06:46 AM   #11
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Did you replace the shoes ? Did you thoroughly clean the Brake drums ? Some time we forget the obvious .
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Old 09-09-2021, 07:57 AM   #12
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

I replaced the shoes and used brake clean on the drums after I sanded them with 320 paper.

I’m stumped.
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Old 09-09-2021, 08:35 AM   #13
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

I would look at the left rear wheel for either brake fluid leak or rear axle seal leak.
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Old 09-09-2021, 09:41 AM   #14
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeke3 View Post
I would look at the left rear wheel for either brake fluid leak or rear axle seal leak.
Why look at LEFT rear? He said car is pulling to the left. Weak side is passenger side.
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Old 09-09-2021, 09:52 AM   #15
whb52ford
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

I can do that, but not to long ago I had checked them for a wheel cylinder leak. I will pull them again.

Something bothering me. How can I tell if both front wheels are braking at the same time? If the left one started braking first, then it would pull to the left?

OR

Is the left wheel cylinder getting more pressure than the passenger wheel cylinder?
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Old 09-09-2021, 10:27 AM   #16
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

Quote:
Originally Posted by whb52ford View Post
I can do that, but not to long ago I had checked them for a wheel cylinder leak. I will pull them again.

Something bothering me. How can I tell if both front wheels are braking at the same time? If the left one started braking first, then it would pull to the left?

OR

Is the left wheel cylinder getting more pressure than the passenger wheel cylinder?
One of the reasons for going to hydraulic brakes over machinal brakes was the fact that hydraulic system have the same pressure throughout the system. This can be changed some by additional components, but in general it is correct. To get a different brake line pressure at a wheel cylinder something would have to be restricting it, such as a faulty flexible brake line. That could also delay that cylinder/brake from working and would most likely be the same issue of the pressure building up slower because of the restriction in the hose. It is possible for even new brake lines to be defective and restrict the pressure. If it started after changing the lines, that might be a place to start.
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Old 09-09-2021, 10:35 AM   #17
19Fordy
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

I would think that if it's pulling to the left, the right side brakes are at fault.
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Old 09-09-2021, 11:39 AM   #18
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

X2.
Paul in CT
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Old 09-09-2021, 11:59 AM   #19
whb52ford
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

I replaced both brake hoses. I blew through both of the new hoses as well as the hoses I took off. I could blow through the old hoses too. Don't think they were bad, but they were old so I feel better about replacing them.

Say there was something in the brake line. How would I get it out?

I pressure bled it with the air compressor. Would it be better to have someone pump the pedal and push it down fast when I opened the bleeder valve?
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Old 09-09-2021, 12:45 PM   #20
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Default Re: car pulls to left when braking

In my experience , when a front brake is out of adjustment or grabbing early, I can feel it in the steering wheel more so than if it were the rear brake. When it it the rear , car will veer to left or right but no big or odd action in steering wheel .
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