Brake Pull

Front brake pull condition could result from:

• Contaminated lining in one caliper
• Seized caliper piston
• Binding caliper
• Loose caliper
• Rusty caliper slide surfaces
• Improper brake shoes
• Damaged rotor
• Wheel alignment (caster, camber, and toe are possible out of spec)
• Tire pressure

A worn, damaged wheel bearing or suspension component are further causes of pull. A damaged front tire (bruised, ply separation) can also cause pull.

A common and frequently misdiagnosed pull condition is where direction of pull changes after a few stops. The cause is a combination of brake drag followed by fade at one of the brake units.

As the dragging brake overheats, efficiency is so reduced that fade occurs. Since the opposite brake unit is still functioning normally, its braking effect is magnified. This causes pull to switch direction in favor of the normally functioning brake unit.

An additional point when diagnosing a change in pull condition concerns brake cool down. Remember that pull will return to the original direction, if the dragging brake unit is allowed to cool down (and is not seriously damaged).