Pulling to left under hard braking

Defcon5 · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:00

The car heaves to the left under hard braking, so I am guessing the right brake isnt working properly - is this likely to be a simple fix or an expensive one?

I dont mind getting my hands dirty if its DIYable.

assuming it is a stuck caliper, how would one unstick it? And what causes it in the first place?

Dup · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:02

What car is it? If the caliper is stuck then it will probably need rebuilding. Not impossible to DIY but there are many places out there that will simply sell you a refurb on an exchange basis or rebuild it for you if you can wait. In any eventuality you will probably have the bleed the brakes which is not always a simple process.

Participant · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:03

Defcon5 said:
is this likely to be a simple fix or an expensive one?

Do you own a Bentley Continental or a Fiat Punto?

Defcon5 · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:04

Garage it is then, I wouldnt want to be messing about too much with the brakes!

Its a Lupo GTI

Bean0 · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:04

I've had the pulling to one side under braking before, caused by a split CV boot which covered one side in oil/grease.

Worth having a look before dismantling you brakes

BD10NNF · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:08

Have you actually looked at your brakes cause thats the best thing to do first as it maybe a number of things.

iaind · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:10

I've had this and it was worn wishbone bushes - causing the weight to shift unevenly under braking. I'd put my money on something like that rather than a stuck caliper

Defcon5 · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:11

Bean0 said:
I've had the pulling to one side under braking before, caused by a split CV boot which covered one side in oil/grease.

Worth having a look before dismantling you brakes

All fine

Dangerous Dave · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:15

I would check the rear brakes first as the calipers are well known for seizing.

Defcon5 · 19 Mar 2010 at 14:16

BD10NNF said:
Have you actually looked at your brakes cause thats the best thing to do first as it maybe a number of things.

Well they look fine to me, but then again im not a mechanic.

My first thought was suspension related, but a few people have suggested stuck caliper over that

Jonnycoupe · 20 Mar 2010 at 00:03

Tyre pressures first.

TheVoice · 20 Mar 2010 at 00:06

Robbie G said:
Do you own a Bentley Continental or a Fiat Punto?

Or a Toyota Aurion?

Vinnylupo · 20 Mar 2010 at 11:01

Defcon5 said:
Well they look fine to me, but then again im not a mechanic.

My first thought was suspension related, but a few people have suggested stuck caliper over that

I'm having similar problems, a mechanic has said that it could be a sticking caliper. I'm going to get them to have a look at it when it goes in for it's wheel bearing replaced again.

Defcon5 · 20 Mar 2010 at 13:48

Tyre pressures are fine, Im not a total dunce you know!

Iceman · 20 Mar 2010 at 14:35

There are a few things it could be, I had very similar thing on one of my cars. Turned out it was a collapsed flexi hose on the front.
Pretty simple fix, but it would be for me being in the trade lol.

burns · 20 Mar 2010 at 14:51

I've had brakes causing a pulling to one side from a knackered bush as well.