Last weekend (32*F and windy) me and a buddy put new calipers, rotors, and pads on the front end. My car started pulling really hard to the right a couple months ago, and it was diagnosed to be a seized left front caliper causing it. Well, that caliper was seized, but now with the new ones it still pulls to the right, and, just like before, when I step on the brakes it pulls sharply to the side of the road. My tire pressure is correct and the tie rods seem good. So what's the deal?

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1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

The '86 had the same problem.

Turned out to be the bracket that secures the stabilizer bushing, directly below the battery, was corroded away. So, each time you hit the brakes, the tire and the bar would move rearward and the vehicle would pull to the right........rather badly.

Remove the battery, and the battery tray and check out that bracket. If it's been eaten by battery acid, you've got to make a plan to get those nuts off without snapping the stud........because you cannot replace the stud.

The other possiblility is a bad guide rod bushing.........but........you'd probably have heard it cluck by now...........

did you replace the brake hoses? they can cause that also

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1967 250 S
1967 280SE
1968 250S
1971 280 SE
1973 220
1974 280 S
1975 450 SEL
1976 220 D
1979 300SD
1983 300 SD
1985 230 TE euro
1986 280SL
1986 500 SEL euro
1986 190E 2.3
1990 300 SE
2003 C230 K
2004 C230 K
1987 560SEL
1987 300SDL now in canada
2005 C230
1998 C43 AMG Sold to DON
1993 190E 2.6
300TD Former daily driver Totaled
current:
R320 CDI
Ram 2500 Cummins

If it's pulling to the right, the LEFT brake hose could be collapsed, not letting or restricting the fluid to the left caliper causing the car to pull right.....cause thats the only wheel braking

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

Yup

It couldn't hurt to replace them anyway, with their age and all. The rubber can only last so long.

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1976 BMW 2002- 100k
1995 BMW 325i 175k
1984 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo Diesel- 270,000 mi

1981 Mercedes Benz 240D- Estimated 300,000+ mi Returned to the earth

I vote for the hoses. After that a restriction in the line and failing that the MBC.
Don't suppose it happened to get any fluids on the disc during the change?

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

The bad hose generally let's pressure to the caliper.........so, you won't notice much of a pull when you press down.

But, when you lift off the pedal.........then you get the pull........a classic sign of a bad hose..........the fluid can't return from the caliper. In this condition, it's the right hose that will be the bad hose.

I have had it happen both ways. When the hose doesn't let fluid return, you end up with a "dragging" caliper.This is usally noticed as a hot smell or hot brake pad. Either way, if you gonna replace hoses....DO BOTH

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

I looked at the brake hoses when we did it. They seemed ok, they didn't have any of these symptoms:

http://www.cebcobrakes.com.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=117&nav_cat_id=137&nav_top_id=61&dsa=1

...at least not noticably. Maybe they were worn. I guess I'll jack it back up this weekend and replace the hoses. I really hope that's what it is and not anything Brian mentioned in his first post...

Do you guys use any special hoses or just whatever they have at the local auto supermart?

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1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

I almost have to vote for a bad brake hose. It could be suspension under brake load as well. Much, much, more likely to be a hose though. You tend never to get caught the second time changing out a caliper because of a bad hose. At least I never have so far. When you suspect a badly sticking caliper always loosen off the brake hose a little before absolutly condeming the caliper. It usually is the caliper but once in awhile you pick up the hose. The hose defect comes in all flavours.I have seen a few of them and am not even a working mechanic. I have yet to see one of these darlings with visual indications it was present on the hose itself. .

I understand what everyone is saying about the hoses, but one thing confuses me. If it was the hose, the car would pull when I step on the brakes because of restricted fluid movement. But the car pulls all the time. It's just more pronounced when I step on the brakes. Could it be anything else?

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1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

Bleed the brakes, you may have a small amount of trapped air in the left side.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Does the right side caliber smell hot after driving? It may be stuck

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

Yes your clarification sure helps. Just drive a few miles. Hop out and feel the rim temperature. If the constant pull is caused from the brake drag that side will be warmer than the other side to the touch on the wheel. Also since the drag in that direction is constant the wheel should be a little hard to turn when jacked off the ground. Easier to separate the cause of the pull now. I hope it is still the brakes as suspension woes can become involved. Sometimes it's simply alignment issues. Sometimes considerably more.

Since you just spent all of the money, time, and energy changing all of your brake parts and rotors......did you bother to change your brake fluid??? And did you bleed your brakes thoroughly??

It is a recommended procedure to change/renew brake fluid (I do it annually on all my vehicles), am not sure what MB recommends, and don't feel like looking it up at the moment.....

Most brake fluids absorb moisture (excepting Dot 5)......

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG