XC90 Pulls while Braking

jab1617 »

We just purchased a used 2005 Volvo XC90, V8 AWD, 60k miles about two months ago. The car seems to pull to the left while braking, more noticeably at higher speeds above 45 mph or so. You basically begin to depress the brake at those speeds and the car slightly pulls to the left. It is noticeable.

Being somewhat handy, I immediately thought it was a bad front caliper. So I bought two new front calipers and pads, bled the brakes, and I made sure I lubed up the guide pins well too. Rotors looked smooth but I did not get them turned. Took the car out for a test spin, still the same issue.

I thought maybe it was a bad rear brake problem. I replaced the rotors (they was not enough left to turn on them, bought brand new ones), and the pads, lubed up the guide pins once again. Calipers remained unchanged. Still the same problem! Car pulls to the left while braking. If you are traveling at near highway speeds and begin to depress brake to slow down, it pulls. If you stomp on the brakes, can’t really tell if the car pulls or not, but it probably does.

Out of options, I took the car to a reputable import shop and explained all the symptoms, and listed what I’ve replaced. They looked over the car and said all the front control arm bushings looked OK, said all calipers were good. They confirmed the pulling problem, but said they couldn’t find the cause of the problem after quite a bit of testing. They tested the brake fluid pressures at each corner, and they all came back normal. They were stumped, and were happy to charge me $300 to say they can’t help me out.

So, I’m down to my final options.
I think it could still be a front left control arm bushing problem?
Or
Could it be a bad shock or suspension issue with the front left side?

adamkpl »

Update – in my case the front/rear control arm bushing was in fact the culprit – all better now

Zach81 »

I had the same problem on my xc90, p0it was solved after replacing front control arm bushings. I used Meyle HD, they were marked how to be installed. First I used some cheap ones and the problem remained, I changed many things and than came back to the real cause.