TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:33 pm

I couldn't find an answer in my books here, so hopefully the VW gurus can help yet again.

When I press down on the brakes, the car pulls to the left. The faster I'm going and the harder I hit the brakes, the harder the pull is. I've been told this was due to my struts, but that doesn't make any sense to me. I just installed a new master cylinder and bled the crap out of my brakes, so….any thoughts on what the problem might be?

Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:42 pm

When you did all that, did you adjust all the brakes at the wheels as well so they are even?

Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:45 pm

Bleed the brakes again, and adjust them all. Go under the car and use a pointed tool like a screwdriver or a pick to set all the star wheels back out. Then one wheel star at a time, adjust it inwards until the brake presses hard enough to prevent any movement of the wheel by hand. The wheel needs to be off the ground. Once you get the star adjuster to that point, back it off 2-3 notches of the adjuster. Then do the same amount of adjusting to the 2nd adjuster on the brake.

Do this to all the wheels. Tires should still be on the car. Once thats done, you should have fixed your problem.

Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:57 pm

wheel cylinder leak maybe, or pads glazed on one side.

Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:59 pm

Posibly, but I worked on my brakes and when reassembled it had the exact same problem he described. Its an adjustment issue, where one pad is closer than the other, thus it grabs first and pulls in that direction.

Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:17 pm

That's what I was thinking. Balance has been lost somehow, and since he had a master cylinder problem, the brakes are the most syspect. They may have been adjusted previously to compensate for the weakening master cylinder or perhaps just wore funny because of it.

Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:20 pm

the mc only proportions front to rear tho

Sun Jan 09, 2005 8:29 pm

Good answers. The only thing it could be is either adjustment or contaminants on the brakes. Pull the wheels and clean the shoe/pads and readjust like they told you to.
I don't think struts are the problem

Sun Jan 09, 2005 10:33 pm

Right on, thanks again guys!

This forum rocks

Sun Jan 09, 2005 10:33 pm

If the suspension is real loose it might pull also maybe.

Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:49 am

Another if all else fails try a new flex hose on the side that it pulls to.

Mon Jan 10, 2005 10:26 am

What all of the above said, but the problem is likely to be on the side that DOESN'T pull. Poor adjustment, contamination of the brakes with fluid, or a swollen hose.

I have even seen a plugged up brake line and only numerous pumps of brake fluid got it clean enough to flow correctly.

Mon Jan 10, 2005 1:53 pm

Odd, I just got back from taking her for a test drive, no more pull to the left, even if I brought it up to 50 and broke hard. Perhaps it just needed to be driven a bit, seeing how the car had been sitting for a year before I bought it.

Hmmm?

Mon Jan 10, 2005 2:32 pm

I don't know if it could have been worn down that fast, but the left side was likely just adjusted to tight and the pads wore down quickly to where they now brake evenly with the right side. Keep an eye on the left side pads to see how worn down they are though, since they are probably significantly more worn than the right unless the problem was something besides adjustment.