Pulls right when braking

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JollyRoger

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This may or may not be your situation, but I thought I'd share what's been going on with my Expy. As you all are aware, the power steering cooler is part of the AC condenser, which sits in front (or behind...can't remember) the radiator. Recently, a crack has developed on the top passenger side of this cooler, allowing power steering fluid to drip down the right side of the radiator. It wasn't a huge leak and would only leave a small spot on the ground each night. This is my 2nd Expy to have this problem. I nursed it a few weeks and then fixed it like I did on my first one, which is to get a universal cooler which I mount on the left side of the radiator, and utilize most of the existing hoses. I just abandon the one in the condenser and eventually it drains itself out. Needless to say, as soon as this problem started happening, my truck would pull to the left whenever I brake. It's because the brake pad was saturated in PS fluid from the few weeks I drove it before it was fixed. Prior to this, it braked straight and true. I removed the right brake pads and cleaned them with brake cleaner since they were only 20,000 MI old. That helped some, but it's apparent that I'm just going to need to replace the pads as it still pulls to the left.

The reason I brought this up is that if you have any oil drips that are making their way onto your brake pads, this could also be the cause.

Just something else to consider...hope you figure it out. Thanks.
 
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RichardH

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CONTAMINATED CALIPER, OR CONTAMINATED DISC SURFACE......

$1.50

Don,

I tend to agree with you - caliper is potential issue too. When I did front rotors/ceramic pads, hardware installation I encountered a piston on passenger side caliper that would not seat entirely. This likely meant after many efforts to seat it (evenly with proper tool) it would not extend pads to rotor correctly. I had to walk to autozone and get new caliper. Hot chick there. She was hot and a blonde.

Anyhow, while you are there, do the lines and calipers. They really aren't all that expensive and considering you are towing a bit, you have peace of mind you have new hardware up front. I plan on getting new caliper driver's side front, and doing new rotors/calipers anyhow on rear. I plan on doing some towing also.

PS Don, I miss driving the 17 hwy/hills, drove that every day from Walnut Creek. The 680 was pretty rough in the morning SB. I really enjoyed the sandwiches at Margaritaville restaurant at the bay there, outside. This was 25 years ago...
 
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Jason Mankey

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This may or may not be your situation, but I thought I'd share what's been going on with my Expy. As you all are aware, the power steering cooler is part of the AC condenser, which sits in front (or behind...can't remember) the radiator. Recently, a crack has developed on the top passenger side of this cooler, allowing power steering fluid to drip down the right side of the radiator. It wasn't a huge leak and would only leave a small spot on the ground each night. This is my 2nd Expy to have this problem. I nursed it a few weeks and then fixed it like I did on my first one, which is to get a universal cooler which I mount on the left side of the radiator, and utilize most of the existing hoses. I just abandon the one in the condenser and eventually it drains itself out. Needless to say, as soon as this problem started happening, my truck would pull to the left whenever I brake. It's because the brake pad was saturated in PS fluid from the few weeks I drove it before it was fixed. Prior to this, it braked straight and true. I removed the right brake pads and cleaned them with brake cleaner since they were only 20,000 MI old. That helped some, but it's apparent that I'm just going to need to replace the pads as it still pulls to the left.

The reason I brought this up is that if you have any oil drips that are making their way onto your brake pads, this could also be the cause.

Just something else to consider...hope you figure it out. Thanks.

Nope...no leaks. Matter of fact, even with this age and mileage, the engine, transfer case, transmission and differentials are complete dry and oil/dirt free on the outside. But not so clean that it appears the entire underside was pressure washed.
 
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Jason Mankey

Jason Mankey

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Don,

I tend to agree with you - caliper is potential issue too. When I did front rotors/ceramic pads, hardware installation I encountered a piston on passenger side caliper that would not seat entirely. This likely meant after many efforts to seat it (evenly with proper tool) it would not extend pads to rotor correctly. I had to walk to autozone and get new caliper. Hot chick there. She was hot and a blonde.

Anyhow, while you are there, do the lines and calipers. They really aren't all that expensive and considering you are towing a bit, you have peace of mind you have new hardware up front. I plan on getting new caliper driver's side front, and doing new rotors/calipers anyhow on rear. I plan on doing some towing also.

PS Don, I miss driving the 17 hwy/hills, drove that every day from Walnut Creek. The 680 was pretty rough in the morning SB. I really enjoyed the sandwiches at Margaritaville restaurant at the bay there, outside. This was 25 years ago...

When we installed the new pads the pistons were easy to get seated all the way in. There are no leaks and best as we can tell, it looks like both pistons on the drivers front caliper are actuating together.

I got the truck in the air and with some help I inspected the entire front and rear suspension. Everything was tight and none of the bushings, ball joints, tie rods, struts, or any joint were loose. Matter of fact, I don't think the suspension is original. With the years and miles the Expy has, the suspension seems in such good shape that I would say the suspension was rebuilt in the not to distant past prior to our purchase.

So I have ordered new brake line hoses for both sides. The brackets where the hoses mount to the steering knuckle are pretty rusty. I could see where that could be the obstruction. Once they arrive and I get them installed, I will let everyone know if that worked. If I still have pulling to the right when braking, then the only thing I can think of that could cause the pulling is a bad caliper on the drivers front. If that is needed, I will just replace both front calipers for my comfort.
 

Plati

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:):) My thoughts exactly on the hoses. I’ve got $75 riding on it!
This article is quite comprehensive ... includes my suggestion about "collapsed brake line" but also many other causes including previously mentioned suggestions by other posters. I did not know suspension components or pads or wheel differences or many of the other root causes so I think I've learned a few things here. Nice!

https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/pulling-you-in-to-brake-diagnostics/
 

Boostedbus

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This article is quite comprehensive ... includes my suggestion about "collapsed brake line" but also many other causes including previously mentioned suggestions by other posters. I did not know suspension components or pads or wheel differences or many of the other root causes so I think I've learned a few things here. Nice!

https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/pulling-you-in-to-brake-diagnostics/
Absolutely we are never too old or wise to learn. With that being said my $$$ is still riding on the brake hoses. Let’s just call it an uneducated/slightly educated guess.
 
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