[FC] pulling to the left when braking 3....

[Dale Dewald]

Hello Jim,

Se comments in text...

At 04:01 5/19/2008 -0700, Jim Forgey wrote:

>Thanks for adding some history - I'll continue the
>story - purchased the van in fall 2004 - there were no
>brake issues until this past late August 2007 when the
>pulling started out of nowhere. It was a hard pull to
>the left especially when having to apply the brakes
>quickly ( no veering). As Dale said the brakes were
>working perfectly before that so I had never dealt
>with them.

Let me understand this correctly; there is a constant pull to the left 
whenever the vehicle is moving, but it is worse when applying the 
brakes.  If this is the case, then we need to consider the wheel bearings 
(funny they are not making noise) and alignment.  Check to make sure all of 
the bolts attaching the A-arms are tight--especially the upper ones hidden 
between the spring towers and center "frame" rails.  The shims used to set 
caster and camber are fitted under the nuts in this hidden space.  Perhaps 
one of them loosened up  and the shims dropped out.  This would definitely 
cause a pull to one side. These nuts are especially hard to get to--one 
needs a crowfoot or short open end wrench and extra arm joints.

>Everyone ( on Corvanatics and otherwise) suspected a
>wheel cylinder issue on the right front - when I did
>the front brakes it was definitely time and while I
>was under there thought it was best to change the
>front lines as well. And most people thought it best
>to change the rear hardware and hoses etc, as well

It is good to service the brakes before there are major problems.  However, 
this did not correct the original problem.

>Primary and secondary shoes have all been checked out
>and are correct - I had some very experienced CT CORSA
>members look at the work with each step as I don't
>want to mess with brake problems when I am on the
>road,  I like to know I'm gonna stop.
>
>As I said after swapping the front drums the van
>stopped just fine - took it to upstate NY car dhow -
>about 250 miles round trip and no problems

This situation does not jive with the suspension alignment checks I noted 
above.

>  - two weeks
>later I'm going to the grocery store and it does the
>same thing all over again.

This sound like a suddenly dragging shoe.  Did you replace the brake 
hardware (springs, etc)?  Have you confirmed proper operation of the self 
adjusters?

>When I put the front end up on Saturday I had my wife
>apply the brake pedal and check to see if both wheels
>were stopping - they were. So I am guessing that the
>left is grabbing sooner - or harder - than the right -
>did a quick adjustment to make sure things were the
>same on both sides - and it still pulls - if I let go
>of the steering wheel it;s like the van is turning
>itself left.

Is this only while braking, or during all forward motion?  Is it different 
in reverse?

>I go back to my original question - since the bushings
>are pretty new, the brakes are all new - is there any
>chance it is a front wheel bearing?

It would certainly possible and it would not hurt to service (clean, 
inspect, replace as needed, repack) the front bearings.  These are common 
bearings that should be on the shelf of any FLAPS.

One additional note; have you carefully checked the drums for cracks?  A 
couple years ago I took five OEM drums off my parts FC's and had them 
turned (four fell within specifications). Two of these drums developed 
cracks around the outside edge after only a very short period (one month) 
of use.  I have since purchased only USA-made new drums. (NAPA, Brembo, etc)

Dale