Suspension quiz

[elpiar]

My S13 pulls to the left during braking (or I can compensate by steering to the right to compensate). I rebuilt the front calipers, and replaced the tension rods to no effect. It seems like it's going worse. The guy who did my alignment told me that all the suspension is tight, no worn out ball bearing, etc. But I'm questioning that.

Help me sort these possible causes in order of its likelihood to be the primary cause:- Lower control arm bushing- Lower ball joint- Tie rod ball joint- Steering rack bushing (the previous owner told me this is already replaced)- Rear brake caliper pull- ???

[BrianHarte]

under braking.... probably going to be more biased towards the front. it could even be so simple as having low air pressure in a tire. Maybe one of the tension rods is bent. maybe a control arm is bent. maybe the steering rack is off center. maybe the bushings are shot....

[elpiar]

under braking.... probably going to be more biased towards the front. it could even be so simple as having low air pressure in a tire. Maybe one of the tension rods is bent. maybe a control arm is bent. maybe the steering rack is off center. maybe the bushings are shot....

air pressure is checked. the tension rods are replaced.

[BrianHarte]

lower control arms might be bent somehow. tie rod might be bent.maybe the whole front end is tweaked somehow..

[elpiar]

If it's bent wouldn't the alignment be off? My alignment is good, but under braking it seems to shift.

[BrianHarte]

yeah thats probably correct.

ok so, you are putting a huge load onto the front wheels/tires/brakes.

the car is pulling to the left.

Something must be wrong.

Youy said you rebuilt the calipers. Are you certain that they are working properly now?Maybe the left one is grabbing a lot harder than the right one. Maybe the right one isn't grabbing at all...

[elpiar]

I think I rebuild it right. Well after braking, they are both about the same temperature, so I assume both are working fine.

-leo-

[Ajax]

If its only pulling during braking, I'd check all the rubber in your suspension- TC rod bushings, strut mount, etc.

[JNM240]

Or even check the rubber brake lines, the left side might be swelling up under pressure, making that caliper grab less than the right side.

[elpiar]

my lines are SS braided lines.

[adrianfromthecastle]

I'd say try rebleeding your brakes. Having bubbles in one caliper line can cause that.

[gumby74]

Have your alignment re-checked.Over the course of about a month I found myself in the same predicament as you. The pull was more pronounced with harder braking, so I never really noticed it until I did a harder than usual stop. Turned out my toe was off just a hair on the passenger side.