brake malfunction

[joopnoordzij]

Hi guys,
For the past few weeks my D pulls a little to the left when I brake hard. The thing is, when I let go and brake again, the same thing happens, but when I just let it slip a little without taking my foot off the paddle and then brake hard again, there's no problem and the car just goes straight. Anyone know what the problem might be?

Thanks alot!

Joop

[DeLorean03]

My guess is you have a right caliper sticking - probably the front right one.

[Nicholas R]

That or your lower control arm bushings on at least one side are toast. (brake hard, LCA's tow out)

I'd guess brake caliper first though.

[DMCMW Dave]

A badly warped rotor, or bad wheel bearing, will cause this too. As the rotor wobbles it pushes the brake pads away from the rotor so the two sides of the car don't engage at the same time. When you don't release all the way, and then press again, the second time the two sides of the car are balanced.

Usually you can feel a warped rotor, but not necessarily a wheel bearing (until you lift the car off the ground and rock the tire in and out).

[David T]

How does the brake fluid look, is it dark and nasty? If it is and it is also low you are probably looking at a stuck caliper. Figure a complete rebuild of the whole brake system. And if it's a 5-speed check the clutch. The fluid in both systems is supposed to be changed at least every other year. If it hasn't been you will be rebuilding both systems.
David Teitelbaum

[joopnoordzij]

Thanks all of you,
I had the front brakes taken apart (and put together again) two years ago and the brake fluid was changed at the time. It's an automatic, by the way.
I will check for a a warped rotor or a stuck caliper and report back here.

Joop

[TheDutchTexan]

A warped rotor usually sends signals to your steering wheel if you brake hard. Is your steering spot on, and does the car track straight? Deteriorated bushings could also be the culprit.

But then it would have to occur every single time. Guess most of the folk here are right to suspect a sticky caliper (or perhaps a warped rotor if you feel vibrations when braking).

A wheel bearing going out usually starts humming, and this hum increases when speed increases. It is something you would notice as it is highly annoying, and should register to you as an extra new sound the car never made before.