1998 XC V70 Turbo; 130K Miles -- Brake issue

[beaujo2001]

Hi everyone!

Thank you all for everything. I have had my car for a year and this site has been priceless in getting me through all the things that awful Haynes book never seems to cover. My donation will be forthcoming.

I have an issue with the brakes on the XC. When I apply them, I have a real nasty pull to the left. I had the brakes redone less than three thousand miles ago, on the front end. Rotors and pads. I am thinking they need to be bled, I see no evidence of leaking etc from the lines.

In about two weeks I am going to replace the front cv joints/axles with new ones from RAXLES.COM, based on the recommendations from this site, though IPD seems to have the same... Anyway, when I pull everything out, I am wondering if I should consider replacing the brake lines in the front. Is this anything of great difficulty? I can build a house from the ground up, but question my automotive repair abilities.

Also, I've noticed that there are a plethora of brake line bleeders. They range from $8 bucks, to over $250. I am assuming the high end is for commercial type volume, not the weekend warrior like myself. I have no assistance available, so keep in mind that I am solo for my repairs and would welcome any mention of bleeders or any other tools that make the job easier.

Thanks in advance for all your recommendations.

John

[MadeInJapan]

Bleeding brake lines as well as replacing them certainly won't hurt but I doubt that it will get rid of your pulling. It sounds like a bad or sticking caliper to me. That's what you have to figure out. I would look beyond the lines if I were you. Might be as simple as needing to grease your caliper pins or as big a deal as rebuilding or even replacing one of them....could be front or rear (just because it pulls and seems like the front, don't discount the opposite rear caliper of where the pull is). Hope this helps.

About the brake lines...make sure you get the right tools to do the job. Sometimes these can be pretty much rusted on and almost impossible to take off...requires liberal sprays of PB Blaster and even heating them up with a torch....and the open ended flair wrenches. I say wrenches because the front and rear are different sizes. I can't recall exactly what size here, but do plenty of research before you start. There was a thread recently where a guy tried too replace these and broke in two one of the hard copper lines...what a pain!

Oh, and I recommend the power bleeder they sell on fcpgroton.com if you're doing this job alone. IPD sells the same one.

[beaujo2001]

Bleeding brake lines as well as replacing them certainly won't hurt but I doubt that it will get rid of your pulling...

Looks like I am going to learn how to do brakes then! I just went outside and rechecked for leaks, etc. and found nothing. I do see some wetness around the CV boot near the wheel, but that's why I am going to replace those within the next two weeks.

Thank you for the tip, I will post the results and any photos if needed to explain the issue(s).

John

[MadeInJapan]

Thanks John! Any write-ups with pictures are greatly appreciated.

[JRL]

Sounds as if you may have a caliper hanging up

[MadeInJapan]

My thinking exactly!