Date: Sat, 11 May 2013 08:52:46 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Causes of Brake Pull at Highway Speeds? (and some trip pics)
In-Reply-To: <CAB2Rwfi3wVdXRnTxdNkh+SUDBYi4SAh9XMJpJZrzkp1=A-+6zA@mail.gmail.com>
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Changes in direction while braking are either the result of varying friction
from the brakes or tires or the alignment is changing under the braking
load. If an upper ball joint or control arm has any paly in the direction of
wheel rotation that needs to be fixed. The upper ball joint is so easy to
replace just do it. This part can affect castor, camber, and toe. So step on
the brakes and change all three angles at one shot and wonder why it pulls!
After that radius rod mount repair did you get the Castor aligned properly?
This is a problem for many. Of all the suspension angles this one is very
important. Most pulls or wanders are an indication of a castor alignment
problem.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil n
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 1:40 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Causes of Brake Pull at Highway Speeds? (and some trip pics)
Hi all. Sorry for this lengthy post!
Recently did a 800-900 mile trip to Spokane. (work and pleasure) My
'81 West ran great, got 22-23 MPG US gallons, (average 55 MPH) new
Truckfridge and canvas are great! Some trip pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/SpokaneAudition But......
At ~ 50-60 MPH, if I brake hard hands "off" the wheel, the van pulls to the
right. Not severely but quite noticeably. Doesn't happen braking hard from ~
30 MPH. Like I almost have to make the nose dive for the pull to happen. My
new Nokians http://tinyurl.com/cklr86y have less than 2000 miles on them.
A shop checked the brakes, steering-front end components before this trip.
Brakes checked out ok but they noted "upper ball joints have very very
minimal play. Not a concern at this time." and that the sway bar bushings
are cracked but "no safety concerns noted at this time".
In spite of that, they said the front end was tight and ok. The sway bar is
a later model year type but seems to fit ok. (not installed by
me)
Almost all front end and brake parts have been replaced in recent years and
don't have a lot of miles on them. The van sat for a year unused and brakes
initially had a little fade but they improved as rust etc. burned off and
except for the pull, stop the van fine working same as before.
I tested the van on different parts of highways. Still pulls the same.
Calipers and shoes don't drag, rear brakes are assembled correctly,
shoes/pads show little wear, no leaks, great pedal height and feel, flex
hoses near new, etc. Tires are evenly inflated, van drives straight
otherwise.
The new tires may be at fault but they're directional so I can't swap them
side for side. I may install some Summer tires regardless.
I repaired the passenger side radius arm hole at the frame. IF that repair
has failed, and there is now too much movement between the arm and hole,
could this cause the pull?
Could a little play in the UBJ cause the pull?
Any other suggestions on what might cause a pull at high speeds?
Thanks
Neil.
--
Neil n
Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
'88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG Gas inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
