73 Front Brakes

[FERL 73]

I replaced the front rotors and pads. On the test drive it felt like it was pulling to the right a little. On my way home it felt like it was pulling to the left on harder braking. I tried to clean the rotors well with brake cleaner and am curious if they just need to settle in a bit. I didn't take much of a test drive and didn't stand on the brakes very hard yet. How should I "Break in" new pads and rotors? Should I dive the hell out of it after I know they will stop the car or should I baby them until everything is seated?

 

[GaryS]

I was taught that new pads need to be scuffed with clean sandpaper. I always lightly sand them with medium paper and I go perpendicular to the direction of rotation. In addition, every time I work on the calipers, rotors, or pads, I clean my hand BEFORE reinstalling them and then I clean everything with either brake cleaner or alcohol.

It sounds like you have contamination on either your rotor or pads.
Gary

 

[Bob Yates]

If contamination is not your problem I would replace the brake hoses . Over time they can get bad on the inside and get like tears in them creating flapers which stop the fuild from releasing the pressure causing pulling. And I 'm sure you checked your new rotors for being true. Some times new rotors need turning.If one side is out the other side needs to be turned the same size so they are both the same thickness. Brakes on a vette can drive you cazy at times. Good luck.....Bob Yates

 

[FERL 73]

Thanks for the info. I didn't do most of the things you suggested other than trying to keep things clean. No sandpaper,didn't check the new rotors I just put them on assuming they were correct. Would air in the lines cause them to pull to one side or just affect the feel of the pedal?

 

[BORDERBUM]

FERL 73,

Your problem has been discussed before, so check the archives for your delima, but this is what has helped several guys and yes girls with thier brake problems.

You might need to set your brakes, what I mean by that is to take the car out in a safe location and drive a little ways and depress the brake hard, then let off the brake and drive 10 or so feet and do the same thing. This helps seat the calipers. It worked for me on my 77 and worked for several others who had the same problem. now if the car is lunging to one side it may be that that is the side that the cailper is "stuck" or you might have a leak in the brake hose on that side( this is what happened to me also on my 76, the brake hose was not leaking until I depressed on the brakes.) stainless brake lines would really be an upgrade, and does not cost much more than the stock rubber ones, and it would be an investment as far as brakes go. Good luck and let us know what happened.

Also welcome to the forum, this is a real nice place to get a lot of answers, and $ saving tips. One more thing, don't worry about how stupid a question is , if you need help you need help, and I have not seen one person here talk "down " to any one. These guys are full of knowledge and don't flaunt anyones lack there of. Im speaking from questions I have asked that I thought were kind of stupid!! Good luck ,

GIT R DONE________________________BORDERBUM

 

[FERL 73]

I replaced the right side pads today and cleaned the rotor. On the test drive it started pulling to right (new pads) and later started pulling to the left again. I got a bit upset and drove it hard for a while (hard braking with squeeling stops). I think it may have settled in now a bit. On normal braking it seems OK. On hard braking it seems to be inconsistant. Pulls to right then pulls to the left and sometimes stops straight??? I wondered if I had them heated up and that was causing the inconsistancy. Time now for beers