240 Front brakes pulling

markvt · Post by **markvt** » 13 Apr 2009, 08:48

1992 240 with about 190,000 miles. When applying the brakes, the car pulls to the left. It's definitley a front brake problem.
I've checked tire pressure and wheel bearing torque. I've visually checked both front brakes and the pads are about 1/2 worn and there is no leaking fluid visible. It seems to me that one side is not getting as much pressure as the other for some reason.
I thought the rubber lines might be collapsed internally, but normally that affects the return of fluid and causes the brakes to hang up. That isn't happening.
My plan is to replace the pads and bleed out the fluid to the 2 front lines (fluid was completely bled out about 20,000 miles ago).
Any ideas on what could be causing the problem?
Mark

Post by **billofdurham** » 13 Apr 2009, 11:41

Check the caliper slide pins. If these are rusted or pitted they won't allow easy movement of the caliper. A new set of pins can make a major difference to the brakes.

Also check engine mountings and suspension bushings as
anything that causes a major mass to suddenly shift under braking can cause the car to pull.

Bill.

markvt · Post by **markvt** » 13 Apr 2009, 13:34

Bill,
Thank you. I hadn't considered bad pins as being a possible cause. I will disassemble and clean or replace things that could cause binding.
Anther link had an article on worn control arm bushings "giving the steering wheel an actual jerk when the brakes are first applied." Not sure that is my exact symptom, but after cleaning things up if the problem persists I will look into that. From outward appearances they seem to be okay, but they are 17 years old.
Mark