Braking problem with my XR6! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Zoran · 07-01-2003, 14:42

Hi there,
I've got a AU XR6 VCT 99model with a strange problem. I'm not a mechanic so I would appreciate if anybody can help. Here is the problem. When I brake moderately, the car behaves fine. If I brake hard, the car pull to the right (at high speed it gets scary). The front right wheel tends to lock as well (ABS???).
Now, the shocks were changed, the brake pads, the disks were skimmed, the calipers were reserviced, the wheel alignment checked (twice), the suspension taken apart and checked, the brakes were checked, tyres swapped (brand new) etc. Everything is OK. By the way, all parts are genuine parts, from Ford.
The next step is to check the ABS system. Does anyone have any suggestions/comments/similar problem???

FFOracing · 07-01-2003, 16:37

I doubt it will be the ABS causing the car to pull to one side. When your car pulls to one side, it means that the brake is applying more pressure to the side it is pulling to.

Was it doing this before the brake service? If not, then I'd be taking it back to where you got it done.

Sounds to me like something wasnt put back/adjusted quite right.

Jase_ELXR8 · 07-01-2003, 16:39

Sounds to me like the slides for the calipers aren't moving freely...

madEAs · 07-01-2003, 18:05

I have sort of the same problem, it will grab the passenger side and sort of lock and will only do this at very low speeds or in reverse. i have found if u brake hard then let up it will not do it. i was assuming was the abs, but i could be wrong. But now that you mention the slides could very well be.

mine is an el xr thou

oldpete78 · 07-01-2003, 18:07

take a look at the rear brake as well as the front , because often it can be a rire brake that is causing it to pull. one of the adjusters may not be working, or possibly the servo action in one of the brakes might not be working due to rusted parts. just take a look and see if everything is in working condition. but it doesn't sound like the abs would be a problem, unless it when you brake really hard and possibly the wheel speed sensor on your front right tire isn't working, so it is allowing that one to brake harder than all the other wheels. hope that helps a little.

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 07-01-2003, 18:11

I think you need to change your avatar madeas

Brakes pulling to one side could be many things,

Most common being, sticking caliper
Leaking Piston on oposite side
Uneven Tyre Pressure
Front end out of alignment
Damaged rotor on that side

If it has only started happening after the service, take it back

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 07-01-2003, 18:12

oh I forgot to mention, check your flexi lines

Zoran · 07-02-2003, 07:36

Hi everybody,
thanks for all your input.
To start from the begining: The calipers slides have also been cleaned and now they work fine, the tyre pressure is correct at all times (I've got my own digital meter), the pistons are not leaking and the calipers are not sticking, the flexi lines seem fine, the back brakes were also checked and serviced(calipers, pistons, slides), alignment checked twice at different places, the instruments showed that the braking pressure is equal on both sides.
The problem is there only when I brake hard. Otherwise, everything is OK. The problem started when the front shock were changed but I had them checked together with the suspension (at a specialised place that does only suspensions and shocks) and they guarantee that the suspension and shocks are 100%. It's driving me absolutely nuts. I'm going back to Ford with a baseball bat, to chat with the manager.
By the way, what is the consumption on your cars?

Again thanks a million for answering so quickly. At least that makes me feel a bit better.
One more thing. Here is South Africa, there aren't many Falcons, especially XR's.
Thanks again.

Rollin · 07-02-2003, 07:56

if you are 100% sure that your entire brake system is OK, and its only there when you brake hard it is possible that there is a slightly worn or loose part in the front suspension letting the front right wheel toe out a little under brakes, which would cause the car to pull to the right.

this might not show up during a normal wheel alignment.

i think the most likely thing would be the RHF piston sticking in its bore.

allans · 07-02-2003, 14:12

Hi,
How long ago were you disks machined? They could be bedding in at slightly different rates, hence the varying friction rates with temperature and braking force. With time (and kms) this effect should reduce?
Allan