Hey y'all,

When I brake, my truck pulls to the right, the harder I brake, the harder it pulls. My guess is that this is because the brake lines are unevenly pressured, so I have uneven braking, but it's just that, a guess. And honestly, I'm a little scared to work on my brakes.

Anyone out there who can help guide me through it, or I hate to say it, point me to a shop that is reputable in the Dallas area?

 

Does your brake fluid look like dr pepper?

 

left brake caliper is not working. there are pistons inside the caliper that when fluid is forced upon it it moves the pistons out hence moves brake pad towards rotor.

right brake works, pulls truck to right. left brake no work pulls right. both work, stops correctly

 

I recently had the same problem with my 96. The problem was the caliper itself and it managed to ruin my rotors as well. I got two new loaded calipers on rock auto for under $50 and the problem was solved! I had better braking too. The rotors were a bit more expensive.

Hope it helps.

 

As far as doing the work, if you have some Allen wrenches, socket wrenches and someone to help bleed the brakes it's a pretty easy job. Should only take an hour or two to do both sides. There is a rubber hose that goes to the caliper that connects with one banjo bolt. Usually comes of easy, mine did after 17 years.

 

Just want to make sure I'm thinking through this properly, if my brake pads show similar wear, can I assume the calipers are working fine?

I was planning on getting new rotors with the next brake job anyway, they are feeling a little warped while braking.

 

If you are getting a pull when applying the brake, don't expect even pad wear. Have a look, and see what you got. Inboard pads wear a bit faster than the outboards. If the inboard is gone, and the outboard still have a fair bit left, caliper is more than likely seized on the guides. If the left side pads show less wear than the right, replace the left side caliper. If you have close to (or over...) 100K miles on the truck, it certainly wouldn't hurt to replace the soft lines, and thoroughly bleed the system as well. In fact, it would be a really good idea.

 

thanks guys. Sounds like I've got a new weekend project ahead of me.

Unfortunately it will have to wait until after the New Year.

I'll let y'all know how it goes.

 

I recently did brakes on my 86, bought everything online to save some money.
Well i ended up with parking brake cables that weren't close to OEM.
A rotor that the bolt circle was drilled off just enough that the 5th lug nut for my aluminum wheel would not go on.
Also had a replacement caliper that would not release right out of the box after install, yes all rubber brakes hose were replaced.
So in the end i had to replace the stuff locally and ended up saving nothing.

Dave

 

This oddly makes me feel at peace with my concern of screwing up my brakes.