88 560sl pulls left - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yeldogt · #1 08-07-2003, 08:47 AM

Hi all -- still did not figure out my center vent problem -- but now!

car pulls left when braking - not a lot -- but if you have to hit them hard it will pull more than I would like.

I had all rotors/pads replaced about 5K ago OE-- it was just serviced for the AC and I had them adjust the steering box - they looked it all over said all was OK with front end -- car now has abot 50K on it.

I installed new weels and tires a few months ago MXV4 on new 16rims -- it runs great and does not pull except when braking.

Could the right caliper be weak! -- does that happed!!

Any sugestions

autozen · #2 08-07-2003, 12:30 PM

There is no such thing as a weak caliper. Hydraulics are hydraulics. You didn't say where you live. If you live where they salt the roads and drive the car in winter you could have a sticking piston in one caliper. If you don't use the car much and don't bleed the brake system, water in the fluid could have rusted a piston. One of the brake hoses could be occluded. You said you had OE rotors installed. What does that mean? Do they have a star on them or are they original equipment manufacturers. They are not the same. MB spent a lot of money to the rights to use a British patented system to test the amount of trace elements in the pig iron used to make the rotors. MB rotors are matched in the amount of trace elements in the iron, because different amounts of these elements cause a different coefficient of friction in each rotor. In other words one rotor can have higher friction than the other leading to pulling during braking. Hope the info helps.

Peter

carman850 · #3 08-07-2003, 12:51 PM

I also suspect you have a seized caliper or piston on the left side, this happens to my other car if I don't lubricate caliper rail every year, when this happens you can tell by touching rims by finger, the one has problem is always warmer than the others.

yeldogt · #4 08-07-2003, 01:15 PM

thanks for the help -- the brake parts came from the dealer.

I am going to take it for a drive later today -- I will check to see if one is hotter.

I did have them bleed when the brakes were replaced -- maybe 2 years ago.

haasman · #5 08-07-2003, 03:12 PM

Have you checked your tire pressures?