Bad problem with steering/brakes.

[allan5oh]

Whenever I hit the brakes hard, it pulls to the right. I've had this problem before, and it's always been brake shoe bushings/rollers that are rusting causeing the "actuation" to not work properly, making the brake grabby. This is definitely different. If I go dead straight, hit the brakes, the steering wheel STAYS straight. This tells me, along with "watching" the slacks as the brakes are applied, that it is NOT the brakes.

The problem seems to be when the suspension is actuating up/down. Could be steering maybe? end links? King pins are fine, so are wheel bearings and spindles. Sometimes if I hit a big bump or pothole it will dart to the right just a bit. But its the worst when I'm bobtailing(seems to be more weight transfer then).

The truck was also just aligned.

[COLT]

BUMPSTEER, Goggle it . Too complicated to explain

[allan5oh]

Yeah I know what bumpsteer is. But it shouldn't happen when you are going straight on a smooth surface and hit the brakes. Usually bumpsteer will pull on the steering wheel as well.

[Blind Driver]

Bumpsteer only happens when your turning and you hit a bump.

Could be bad tie-rod ends, kingpins, shackles (or shackle bushings), or maybe even a bent or cracked frame.

Could also be a bad tire as well.

[solo379]

You didn't say anything about brake drums. How are you in that department?

[allan5oh]

I think they're about 70% left, no leaking wheel seals. I just changed the tie rods, I'm going for a spin tonight.

Thanks for the input, I'll keep you guys updated.

[JAXLE67]

Also check for loose u bolts and or a broken center bolt. Could also be a broken spring eye where it wraps around front spring pin. Seen several broken that is not easy to see because of the wrap leaf
A few thoughts

[allan5oh]

I'll be looking at the front springs very closely. I'm going to replace the brake chambers just in case.

Thanks for the input.

[allan5oh]

I don't think it's the springs. Wouldn't they clunk or make some sort of sound?

I pulled off the drums again today, this time I sanded down any glaze on the drums/shoes. Drove it again, same thing.

Then I backed off the right side about half a turn. Now it pulled to the left but it felt different. Next application it felt almost neutral, but it actually pulled to the left first, then pulled to the right! Next application same old thing, pulling to the right.

I still don't think its the brakes. I noticed the right side kingpin might be worn. I'll check it with a gauge tomorrow, as per meritors site(max .001 play, side-side)

[solo379]

Sounds mysterious!
Let us know when you'll find out what it is!

[JAXLE67]

Im sure it clunks but probably not loud enough to hear. Have someone hold your brakes and turn the wheels from far left to far right. If the spring eye is broken you will see the spring move back and forth

[allan5oh]

The spring itself? I will try it out today. Basically, the spring shouldn't move right?

BTW, I did fix the problem. The S-cams were worn, especially on the right side. Kinda strange that the throws were EXACTLY the same, yet it pulled to the right. But it didn't "pull to the right" the same as if one slack was looser then the other, it was weird.

Well, I can't say I 100% fixed the problem. I think I did about 80%. Yup, I have compound problems! I think the springs are still kaput. Everything(and I mean EVERYTHING) on the brakes were changed.

God damn shops screwed me over. About 20 months ago, I did the front axle S-cam bushings. The list of things they screwed up:

- Right side wheel bearing seized up, causing $3700 in damage(got that money back)
- They used the same size S-cam tunnel seals on BOTH sides. The "slack" side was too big, letting crap in.
- S-cams should've been changed as well, they were in TERRIBLE shape.
- S-cam "dust covers" are missing, slack side on the passenger side, and brake side is missing on the drivers side. Can you imagine how hard it is to find these? Volvo can't even get them!
- Slack on passenger side was missing the smaller pin! I did fix this immediately.

All the more reason to justify doing all the work myself.

[allan5oh]

Well got the better half to help me out to diagnose further, and it looks like you're right. The left side spring at the front is definitely shot, the right side is questionable, but the rear of both springs seem ok. Who knows how long it was like this.

[allan5oh]

Shop said everything is ok? Hm....

[JAXLE67]

Hope everything works for your truck. Did you lose the wheel when the bearings went?

[allan5oh]

No, it stayed on. I reacted pretty quick. That was the beginning of last year.


I'm beginning to think now I should've changed the bushings anyways. All they said was "it's good enough to pass safety", that doesn't mean it's good enough for me.

[yoopr]

Just saw your Thread-Just a shot in the Dark-Have you checked to see if one of your Airbags on your Suspension might be low?

[allan5oh]

Air bags seem fine. Again I feel the problem is 90% solved with the s-cam brakes, it just seems the front axle has lost some stability it had.

A couple days ago, I hit some potholes in a parking lot on purpose, and the front left was clunking.

I'll post pics tomorrow of the movement. JAXLE, what does it take to change these bastards?

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it!

The truck definitely handles a lot better then it did, both just driving and braking, but I still feel it needs to be a bit better!

[yoopr]

A couple days ago, I hit some potholes in a parking lot on purpose, and the front left was clunking.

why did you do that?
Trying to find out who strong your Tie Rods Are? :P

[allan5oh]

No to see if the spring bushings would clunk. I didn't ram them full speed, just enough to see if they would clunk.