Potential Repairs Needed if the Car Brakes Pull to one Side
First, check the tires for damage or under inflation. If the tyres are okay and the car continues to pull to one side whilst applying the brakes; the problem probably lies in the braking system. This is potentially dangerous fault and will need to be attended to as a matter of urgency.
The problem will almost certainly be with the car’s front brakes. The home mechanic will need jack up and inspect the front brakes on both wheels. The probable cause will be a sticking hydraulic piston. This is a common problem that can happen to most cars, especially cars which have not been driven in a while.
What needs to be done?
First, you’ll need to jack up and inspect one wheel at a time. Make sure you have the car hand brake on and the car’s rear wheels are chocked to prevent the car from moving. Next, place the jack on the jacking point and raise the front wheel above the ground, so that the wheel can be freely rotated. Now for added safety put an axle stand under the car on one of the structural points of the chassis.
Undo the wheel nuts and remove the front wheel. Now you will be able to see the brake calliper and brake disc. You will need to remove the calliper which is a simple job. At the front of the calliper you’ll see a clip or split pin holding in the brake pads. These clips will need to be removed. Next, using a screwdriver pull out the brake pads from the calliper.
Examine the brake pads. If badly worn; this will be a good time to have them changed.
The brake calliper will now be loose and you can pull it out for inspection. It will still be attached by a flexible brake pipe so be gentle with it. Now you can see the piston. You’ll need to ensure the piston is not jammed and free to move in its cylinder. The best way to do this is use a suitable sized G clamp. Place the clamp over the calliper with the screw down on the piston and wind the piston back into the cylinder. Hopefully this will free the piston and it will move freely again.
You’ll need to do this on both front brakes. Once reassembled, test the cars brakes. If the problem reoccurs the brake pistons may need to be removed and replaced. This is a slightly move involved job as the brakes will need to be bled once new pistons have been installed.
