Brake Issues (Pull left on harder brakes) HELP!

Hi! I have a 2001 tundra LTD, and I am having a braking issue with it. It does not pull when driving, but it pulls when you brake harder or quick! When it does it and you let go of the wheel, it pulls the steering wheel to the passenger side like 10 -15 degrees and kind of corrects the pull (not much). But if you hold the wheel like a normal person would, it pulls hard to the driver side (left). It has been doing this for about a month now, since then I have replaced brake calipers, hoses, and the small hard line that goes into the caliper. Pads looked even and rotors were new with pad less than a year. Rear brakes should be all good too because they were serviced when I got new bearings. Got two alignments. I have newish tires with less than 7K miles (rotated at 5k miles). I think it maybe the tires up front pulling, but anyone have any ideas? Braking is unaffected besides the pulling!

Thanks ahead of time!!

 

How are the front wheel bearings? Had a similar issue on an Jeep and when I disassembled for a u joint change found the axle nut about 150 ft-lbs less than it should've been.

Drove normal otherwise until hard braking.

 

They seem pretty solid. No play in the wheel and tire, and they check out when I did my suspension and steering parts

 

Problem started before or after all the new brake work?

 

Everything worked fine until I took her on a fishing trip (12+ hours round trip) toward mid August. It was only slight on the way back but now it is where its at.

The calipers and hoses were done to try and relieve that issue. And is say "hard" braking, but it is more of like a slowing down on the highway from 65mph to make a turn on a smaller road with a car behind you

 

Did you figure out the problem?

 

Hi! No I never did, but I am thinking it was the tires. They were wearing horribly even after going to the alignment shop multiple times and having everything checked over. I ended selling it for the same price I bought it for 4 years ago and bought a newer f150 just earlier this year. Sorry I couldn't be much help!

 

Ya my truck does the same. But also have problems with the brake hitting the floor

 

I would look into all the suspension bushings. Upper and lower a arm bushings as well as wheelbearings, ball joints and tie rod ends.Don’t forget proper alignment.

 

OK guys, same issue as the OP, but on a 2007 Sequoia SR5, rwd. I didn't want to start a new post since the issue I'm having is exactly the same - imperceptible during soft braking, pulls left on hard braking but the steering wheel stays mostly straight, it just tracks left.

For those who aren't familiar with the differences, Sequoia and Tundra brakes are essentially the same except Sequoia rear brakes are disk. Since the rears look perfect, and you guys haven't steered me wrong yet with my Tundra, help!

To troubleshoot so far, I've changed pads to new oem, swapped front left and right tires, checked caliper pistons, lines, and suspension components for odd wear. The only thing I noticed was the OEM struts installed 30k miles ago have a very worn looking bushing where the shock mounts to the lower A-arm.

Pics in the next post, Tia guys!

 

Couple of pics of the pads as removed looking at the car from the front (so the right side pads came off the driver's side caliper).

And this is the receipt from 2021 for what was replaced - brake booster, front strut assys, rear shocks.

 

This UBJ has seen better days. I think this is a part of the issue but not THE issue. Know what I'm saying?

anyways, you said "check calipers" what does that exactly mean?

The pull to either direction is almost always a stuck caliper or bad alignment.

 

When I was installing the new pads, checking the pistons. They were all just fine, nothing stuck. I thought the upper and lower bjs looked fine but I can have another look, what specifically, Fish?

 

I was just asking to see what you checked. Lol

I would have a look see at tire wear and alignment specs now.

Also if your suspension is just old or not up to par. The excess body roll can cause dives in different directions. Just shooting from the hip though.

 

I spoke to the mechanic who installed the struts and shocks in 2021 (30k ago) and asked why the shock bushings are so worn already, he said that was normal.

I'm close to just installing some 5100s up front and calling it a day.

 

This is why I do my own work on my cars and trucks.
That bitch ass played you for your $$$

those shocks you have are Monroe? Basically bottom of the barrel. Costs like $75 a corner.

 

Dang Fish, easy boy. I needed the truck back quickly so I went with whatever was available and not 2-3 days out. He did recommend oem, but I wanted cheap and fast so here we are.

I'm still not convinced this is "the" issue, but we'll find out.

I'll keep you guys updated for posterity.