k5ryder
1/2 ton status
While sitting in stop and go traffic I noticed when I hit the brakes the steering wheel moved to the left. Any suggestions? New pads and rotors about 500 mikes ago.
CK5
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Steering wheel moves when brakes are applied
- Thread starter k5ryder
- Start date
Probably hydraulic. Caliper frozen or hose collapsed.
If your drag link geometry is off (running downhill to steering arm) and the nose dives under braking, it can pull the wheel to the left.
Suggest this test - Get on some flat pavement and hit the brakes without really gripping the wheel. If the steering wheel goes left but the truck stays straight - it's steering geometry. If the truck pulls to one side or the other under braking - check your brakes.
If your drag link geometry is off (running downhill to steering arm) and the nose dives under braking, it can pull the wheel to the left.
Suggest this test - Get on some flat pavement and hit the brakes without really gripping the wheel. If the steering wheel goes left but the truck stays straight - it's steering geometry. If the truck pulls to one side or the other under braking - check your brakes.
I'm having the same problem, but to the right. Doing the flat pavement test the truck pulls right as well. In fact, I've tried it while holding the wheel tight at center to see what happens and it still pulls right while the wheel doesn't move. That leads me to believe it's the rear brakes but I'm unsure.
k5ryder
1/2 ton status
We'll, I know my the boot is is torn on my front drag link and it needs to be replaced. I can pretty much just "pump" the brakes while creeping (1-2mph in traffic) and every time I hit the pedal the steering wheel move to the left a hair.
The front spring bushings might be worn enough to let the axle move back a bit when the brakes are applied..loose u-bolts or sheared center bolt can do this too...
I've seen many stock front springs with the "double wrap "eye" up front have a cracked leaf right at the "eye" and it lets the bushing flop around some..my 71 and 72 K5 had a metal "stop" bolted to the lower frame rail behind the front spring swinging shackle on the drivers side,to keep any rearward motion of the front axle to a minimun too...I dont think they had them on 73-87 trucks though...the front sway bar on those years I guess they felt were beefy enough to prevent the axle from moving back any..
I've seen many stock front springs with the "double wrap "eye" up front have a cracked leaf right at the "eye" and it lets the bushing flop around some..my 71 and 72 K5 had a metal "stop" bolted to the lower frame rail behind the front spring swinging shackle on the drivers side,to keep any rearward motion of the front axle to a minimun too...I dont think they had them on 73-87 trucks though...the front sway bar on those years I guess they felt were beefy enough to prevent the axle from moving back any..
k5ryder
1/2 ton status
We'll, I do have stock leaf springs so I will have to check them out. It prob wouldn't hurt to go ahead and change the drag links anyway
bigred88
1/2 ton status
I've seen a road test of a then new 89 Blazer. The guy who tested it complained that it pulled to the side under braking. My 88 has, too, since I bought it in 07. The only pieces left in that front end that I have not replaced in the last 6 years are the leaf springs and associated bushings, the steering box, and the axles/diff. New ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link, axle u joints, shocks, all the bearings, calipers, soft brake lines that go to the calipers, pads, rotors, hubs, and probably a few other things I'm not thinking of right now.
My understanding is that these trucks have always done that, and will always without significant re-engineering.
My understanding is that these trucks have always done that, and will always without significant re-engineering.
hmmmm. Mine doesn't pull. Might just be lucky.
Prior collision frame tweakage maybe?
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Prior collision frame tweakage maybe?
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ItsTwest
Registered Member
If you have hydroboost brakes, it will likely cause that.
At BB KTM noticed I'm dogwalking pretty bad. I'm fairly certain my frame is straight so hopefully my issue is just a misaligned rear axle. I'll know for sure once I get a chance to loosen the rear u-bolts and check it out.
