2001 xc - pulling to side when braking

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » 10 Nov 2010, 21:22

I am not happy! Spent the day replacing the front calipers, rotors, pads, etc. (which needed to be done anyways) only to test the car after all that work and it still pulls to the left upon a quick, fairly hard brake. Had the strut plates and the anti-sway extensions replaced this summer -- and had no trouble. This 'veering' just started about 3 weeks ago. Is there anything in the brake system which I have not considered? Or might it be something else?
Thanks for your thoughts.

Post by **JRL** » 11 Nov 2010, 04:53

If everything is new, check your control arms bushings and your inner tie rods.
If either one is bad it can cause a pulling.

Naturally how is the alignment and tires?
Is the pull slight or severe?

The final issue (unfortunately) could be a bad steering rack

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » 11 Nov 2010, 09:33

Thank you for the information JRL. When I had the shock towers and the sway bar extensions done this past summer, I asked my mechanic to make sure that all bushings, ball joints were checked, and to replace when the front end was apart. Nothing according to him. And a 4 wheel alignment was done. Tires only one year old.
The pulling is a challenge to describe. When hitting the brakes as in a sudden stop the front end definitely pulls 'significantly' to the left. When I do that a couple of times in a row, the car brakes straight.
And a steering rack could go sour just like that? Wouldn't it deteriorate gradually over time? No leaking, etc. from that part of the undercarriage.
Thanks.

Post by **JRL** » 11 Nov 2010, 10:42

It's possible, but I would check your calipers again
It sounds like a sticking caliper
Just because you rebuilt them means nothing as I've had problems with freshly rebuilt (Volvo) calipers, especially if they were too rusty to begin with!