TR2/3/3A TR3A brakes pulling

[TFR]

My car, ever since it has been back on the road, has been pulling to the left when I apply the brakes.
Am I correct when thinking that the right front caliper is not activating or is weak? Doesn't it have the same effect as a military tank turns? Stop the left tread / wheel to turn left?

Do any of you have a good post 69000 TR3A front caliper?

 

[TR4]

When did you last bleed the brake lines? Could something possibly be clogging the line?

 

[TR3driver]

Could be the right caliper being ineffective. But it could be other things as well, including the right pads being contaminated, the line blocked on the right or even the left caliper dragging slightly. Could also be a problem with loose or misaligned suspension. On my TR3A that pulled hard to the left, it turned out to be that the rear lower pivot on the front left was broken loose from the frame and would allow the wheel to deflect under braking force. The other car that sometimes pulled only mildly to the right turned out to have a broken rear spring that would let the rear axle move fore/aft slightly on one side (I forget which one).

I would start by changing the pads, and paying attention to how difficult it is to push the pistons back into the calipers. If the pistons will move inward under a normal amount of force, chances are very good that they will also move outward (meaning the problem is not likely to be the caliper itself).

 

[prb51]

That can be the case, reference the pulling.
Also check for minor leaks on the side it is pulling to. A very slight fluid leak will wet the disc and when the brake is applied grab suddenly when the fluid is eradicated.

 

[Don Elliott]

If the rubber hoses are old, the insides may have become gummy and one hose may have become sealed closed with gummy rubber. Maybe a piston in one of the calipers is wedged. You don't need a new caliper. You need to dismantle both front calipers and make sure that the pistons are not wedged. Sounds like one is wedged on one side. Replace the hoses and the seals for the caliper pistons.

 

[hondo402000]

I vote for leaking calipers or wheel cylinder on opposite side and brake pads are saturated with fluid, if so rebuild both sides at the same time... that was my problem on my TR6. now having said that I remember an old 63 volvo P1800 I had in college would do the same thing pull to one side and when I finally pulled the calipers apart,,, one side... left front I think the piston had a ring of rust about half way down the piston and when the brakes wore down so far the piston would hang up and all the breaking would be on the other side, but with that problem you could smell the brakes burning cause the piston would not release, if you smell burning pads hung pistons, just pulling and no smells probably leaking cylinders

ok enough rambing

 

[TFR]

All the components in the front are new, so I don't think it is the front suspension. Bleed the brakes again and again with new silicon based fluid.
The pistons may be the problem however they do move when the peddle is pressed.
The pads are new also and are not soaked with fluid.

Will look at the rear suspension again to be sure nothing has come loose.

I would ask if one of you might have a spare caliper for sale to let me know so I can replace the right one and see if it helps.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I assume (as suggested) you have verified front end alignment and (to state the obvious) that you have the same air pressure in both front tires.