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pulling to the left

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airlifter

Jedi Hopeful
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I have had the problem of the car pulling to the left when I apply the brakes. In the mean time the master cylinder went bad so I ordered a new MC and sent the servo for rebuild.

I also ordered a caliper rebuild kit.

The MC and servo installed and the calipers rebuilt and installed.

The bad news is that the car still pulls to the left when applying the brakes. I cleaned up the pucks and cylinders and lubricated with brake fluid. I bled the brakes and all lines seem to be flowing freely. I did bleed all four wheels starting with the farthest and working to the closest. I bled them twice.

Anyone have any ideas before I order new calipers?
 
You sure its not a camber problem, or possibly just a wheel issue?
 
If it were a camber problem would the car try to wander or pull to the left all the time?

I have not pulled the rear drums to check the rear brakes. I had not thought of checking the rear brakes but I guess that might cause the problem.

That will be the next thing that I check.
 
When a previous TR3A had that problem, I eventually discovered that one of the front suspension mounts was cracked away from the frame. The alignment shop said the alignment was fine, but under even moderate braking, the broken mount would move enough to mess up the alignment and cause the car to pull to the left. The more braking, the more it would pull until ultimately I couldn't hold the car straight with the steering wheel.
 
TR3driver said:
When a previous TR3A had that problem, I eventually discovered that one of the front suspension mounts was cracked away from the frame. The alignment shop said the alignment was fine, but under even moderate braking, the broken mount would move enough to mess up the alignment and cause the car to pull to the left. The more braking, the more it would pull until ultimately I couldn't hold the car straight with the steering wheel.
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Bingo!!!! I pulled the front wheels today and found that the rear mount for the lower A-arm on the left side was broken loose from the frame. I have a friend that is a good welder so I will get him to make the repairs.

It looks like most of the suspension is going to have to come off to make the repairs so I am going to rebuild the front suspension.

Moss has a refurbish kit for $90. Most of the stuff I get from them is good quality. Does anyone have any feed back on suspension parts from the other suppliers?
 
As an addition to the last post: I plan to replace the shocks but should I also replace the springs? How can I tell if they need to be replaced? I know this is a stupid question but what the hey.
 
airlifter said:
As an addition to the last post: I plan to replace the shocks but should I also replace the springs? How can I tell if they need to be replaced?
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My feeling is that if the free lengths are within 1/4" of each other, the springs are probably fine. The book gives the free length of the standard springs as approx 9.75", competition springs 9.2"

It also gives detailed specifications for fitted length and load, if you want to try to test them further. If you live near a big city, you might call around and see if there is a "spring shop" in your area that can check them for you. (The one on Spring St in Long Beach, CA has apparently moved, but is still in business.)
 
First of all I want to thank everyone for their suggestions but especially TR3driver for his suggestion to check the suspension mounts. The bracket was almost completely broken. I could have been on the way to a very bad wreck, Wrecking is not on my list of things I want to accomplish.

I got the springs out today. The left one measured 10 1/16 high at the end of the flat area of the spring. It measured 9 15/16 on the opposite side and the spring looked straight. This is the side with the broken wishbone mount

The right spring looks like it is bent and it measures 10 1/16 at the end of the flat area and 9 15/16 on the opposite side.

What would cause a spring to get in this condition?

Just to be sure, I am going to order new springs when I order the rest of the other parts.

Thanks again
 
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