So i got my 2 inch t/s lift done. Also got my alignment done. So after my alignment the guy tells me I got a "right brake pull" I didn't press the matter knowing these guys are in it for the business obviously.

So what is a brake pull? Sounds basically like my right brake is pulling the car to the right?

Is this a big thing? it almost feels like i didn't get an alignment. My car used to drive nice and straight. now it leans to the right just a little bit.

Any thoughts guys? What do i do?

 

Are you saying the pull started before or after the alignment?

if after, they did something backassward.
if before, and after then it's possible something is wrong with the brake.

the first I would check is the slider pins. these can stick and cause the brake to not release fully, causing drag.

A warped rotor could do it too if I recall.

 

sounds like your brake is dragging, the pistons can get sticky, or the pads can rust to the rails they slide on (if its not used often say if your at school and it just sits there)(no slider pins in 02), other things could include bad front brake hoses which rot and collapse from the inside out, the fluid will flow one way (brakes on = stopping power) but not back (hence the brake stays engaged) this will CAUSE a warped rotor if left untreated.


now when you say leans, do you mean it pulls while going down the road(what i addressed above), or the suspension leans? if the suspension leans then you messed up the t-bar adjustment, or the shop messed with it to get the alignment done, complain about it and get it fixed.

 

^ +1000 on this! ^

 

It definitely started after the alignment. My car was just fine and dandy until they did the alignment.

I don't think they did it right just so later i can come in and try to have my brakes checked by them.

i don't know what to do guys. I cant prove that they are lying to me. My car drove straight for upto a 1/2 mile if the road is straight.

now it pulls to the right. not a whole lot but enough to be bothersome if you release the steering wheel for a small moment.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

 

you know what guys? i don't even need to be pressing the brake for it to lean right. It does it all the time.

MY CAR LEANS RIGHT ALL THE TIME NOT JUST WHEN USING THE BREAK.

I realize this now but its not a problem when only using the break it happens while driving to. my car just slowly leans rightwards.

I'm almost certain they did the alignment wrong. Now how do i prove them otherwise?

 

how long ago was it done? if it was a couple days call the shop and talk to the manager, if he is smart he will tell you to bring it in so they can fix it correctly

 

I had it done this morning and the manager/owner of the shop is the one who told me i have a brake pull.

A brake pull should only happen when braking right> well it doesn't happen only when braking.

I just showed my dad that truck and alignment and he took a large straight edge metal measuring tool (don't know what the tool is called) and when he lined it up with both sides of the front end.

On one side of the truck (front passenger side) the straight edge touched both top and bottom of the tire but not the fender. And for the other side (driver side) it touched the bottom of the tire and the fender BUT NOT the top of the tire. So obviously that shows both tires aren't symmetrical to the car.

What do i do when the manager is the one trying to trap you?

 

Alright last note to add. I was just out test driving my truck. And it seems like only half the time it pulls to the right while braking and 75% of the time it feels like the cars not driving straight like it should after an alignment.

Let me add that though the roads in my neighborhood are new and without damages. though they do bend upwards towards the middle somewhat like the tip of an arrow. the road is highest in the center and lower out near the curb. So if you are to far left or right it will lean in that directions which it did sometimes.

Also after several thorough measurements and checking it seems like the front right tire is further outwards then the other front tire. and also further outwards then the rear tires which seem symmetrical.

My meaning is the right tire is further out from inside the wheel well. Is this common or is this something that is not right?

 

if the brake is dragging it will cause the truck to pull to either side (usually the one with the dragging brake) even when you are not on the brake, bc the brake will be grabbing when you dont want it to which will cause extra friction on one side and make the truck pull.

btw the crowned roads that you speak of will cause the truck to feel like it is pulling toward the lower side (usually the gutter, or passenger side), but is NOT an indicator of bad alignment, however if it pulls on flat roads then you have a problem.

and btw you still have not explained what you mean when you say the truck is LEANING, if you mean pulling, then say that, if not then you need to explain yourself much more thoroughly