Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 10:39:38 -0700
Reply-To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Causes of Brake Pull at Highway Speeds? (and some trip pics)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi all. Sorry for this lengthy post!
Recently did a 800-900 mile trip to Spokane. (work and pleasure) My
'81 West ran great, got 22-23 MPG US gallons, (average 55 MPH) new
Truckfridge and canvas are great! Some trip pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/SpokaneAudition But......
At ~ 50-60 MPH, if I brake hard hands "off" the wheel, the van pulls
to the right. Not severely but quite noticeably. Doesn't happen
braking hard from ~ 30 MPH. Like I almost have to make the nose dive
for the pull to happen. My new Nokians http://tinyurl.com/cklr86y have
less than 2000 miles on them.
A shop checked the brakes, steering-front end components before this
trip. Brakes checked out ok but they noted "upper ball joints have
very very minimal play. Not a concern at this time." and that the sway
bar bushings are cracked but "no safety concerns noted at this time".
In spite of that, they said the front end was tight and ok. The sway
bar is a later model year type but seems to fit ok. (not installed by
me)
Almost all front end and brake parts have been replaced in recent
years and don't have a lot of miles on them. The van sat for a year
unused and brakes initially had a little fade but they improved as
rust etc. burned off and except for the pull, stop the van fine
working same as before.
I tested the van on different parts of highways. Still pulls the same.
Calipers and shoes don't drag, rear brakes are assembled correctly,
shoes/pads show little wear, no leaks, great pedal height and feel,
flex hoses near new, etc. Tires are evenly inflated, van drives
straight otherwise.
The new tires may be at fault but they're directional so I can't swap
them side for side. I may install some Summer tires regardless.
I repaired the passenger side radius arm hole at the frame. IF that
repair has failed, and there is now too much movement between the arm
and hole, could this cause the pull?
Could a little play in the UBJ cause the pull?
Any other suggestions on what might cause a pull at high speeds?
Thanks
Neil.
--
Neil n
Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG Gas inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
