I am getting close to time for new front brakes. The car would occasionally pull left or right, but more lately. Do my calipers need to be rebuilt? I can do it, but know how often it may happen to others. This is not a continuous thing and does it both left and right.
Thanks, ML

 

Hi ML, are you 100% positive this is the result of a deficiency in your brake calipers?

 

Is this only while braking?

 

CS,
Yes its only while braking. I'm a pretty good wrench and have rebuilt calipers (and cars) but was surprised about the intermediate nature of this. The caliper piston is not froze, it just seems sometimes that one piston doesn't brake as much causing the other side to pull. At the next stop light or for the rest of the day (week) no problems. Doesn't seem to have any bearing on cold start and can happen to either side. It's pretty random.

ML

 

Maybe you can lube the pistons well on both sides and see if this takes care of it?

 

How many miles to do you have on your brembo calipers and how is your driving style? This could have something to do with it also....

 

have you flushed the brake fluid? hygroscopic action creates crud in the fluid
that should be done yearly to avoid several problems
Seen plenty of gen3 with 2 years on fluid and in desperate need of flushing

I have read about brembos that Every Year you should take them off the rotor- leave attached to brake line-- and with a block of wood in place of pads so the pistons dont pop out = thats a mess to clean up and put back together-
With slight push of brake pedal, Extend the pistons, then gently push each piston all the way back. repeat several times. You can open the bleeder nipples to make it easier to push pistons in

The pistons need to be `exercised` as they normlly only get about 1-2mm of travel during operation.

When the pads are low the pistons have to stay in an extended position and operate at their max travel limit when you use them.
Get new pads asap if you know you need them
If the noise maker tab sounds off under light brake application- its time for brakes today

 

the pads are hanging up in the calipers ,when you change the pads clean the inside of the caliper where the pads rest

 

very interested on this

 

Too All. 43k on the car and brake system has been flushed last year with DOT 4 fluid. Normal street driving with "moments of fun!!" Never heard about exercising the pistons. Not sure why I would do this. If I went this far I might as well rebuild them.

AC Tech, not sure why hanging on the caliper would cause this. Hanging on the calipers would cause a pull when driving. Only happens when braking and they retract when the caliper retracts. Pads should stay on the caliper. I seems like I have 1 of the 4 pistons that doesn't extend as fast as the others. These is very random and happens on both sides randomly.

May rebuild them and see if I find anything.

ML

 

I'm surprised there isn't more info on this subject. I too notice pulling when braking hard only. Normal braking is fine, but if I slam on the brakes the car will always pull toward the right side. It's not a strong pull where it's dangerous but it's noticeable

 

If you are getting consistent pull under braking, you have a brake imbalance, which isn't all that uncommon. For whatever reason, one side of the car is stopping better than the other. It could be contamination on the pads or rotors, air or debris in the lines/calipers, uneven or excessive wear on the pads, sticking pistons, a low tire...

This thread is old, but the OP appears to be talking about this brake imbalance shifting sides. About my only suggestion for that would be to get up to speed and slam on the brakes a few times in a row. I'm a firm believer that one should exercise a braking system from time to time. Find a road you can get up to 60 or some reasonably high legal speed, and stand on the brake pedal hard like you might in an emergency braking situation. It's probably best to ensure nobody is behind you before you do this. It might help give a more consistent pedal feel. Brake fluid should be exchanged every few years as well. Not just pouring some new fluid in the master cylinder.

 

my rotors are about 1 yr old, and pads still have about 80% left. tires are matching PS2's all around, with about 80% tread. It did this before I got these tires anyways, so tires are out of the equation. I did a brake fluid flush about 10 months ago
this isnt something I notice on a daily basis, since it only happens when I brake hard, and usually when braking hard, I am focused on the road more than the steering wheel position. But I definitely do exercise the braking system from time to time. on some back empty roads.