1971 220 gas (W115) pull to left when braking

[skis3]

My MB pulls to the left whenever I push on the brake. The strength of the pull has been reducing over the last month, but I think it is time to make a repair.

I have installed a new caliper on the driver side, replaced the rubber components in the rear calipers, and bled the entire system.

Is it possible I need to buy a caliper for the front passenger side or can I just changed the rubber components in the existing one? Thanks.

[Stretch]

Depends how lucky you are - if the bore of the calliper or the piston is scored or corroded then in my opinion the chances of success are almost zero.

[t walgamuth]

There is an excellent chance it is rebuildable. The calipers are also very availalbe rebuilt, at least for a 123. The older car calipers might be less available though.

If you cannot find them for a good price you can upgrade to 123 calipers. They bolt on but you need new brake lines too unless yours are already newish as the new configuration needed in the brake line will make an old line leak eventually due to being put in a new shape.

[skis3]

I found a remanufactured caliper at ******** for $54, so I am thinking of purchasing the new caliper and hose. How can I ensure it is the right front caliper and not one of the rear ones? Thanks.

[barnumlives]

a restricted rubber brake hose may be causing what you describe.

i wouldn't be spending $70-$275 for a new right front caliper unless or until the hoses have been renewed. even if you go the caliper route be sure to replace the hoses. with age the inner wall can swell and restrict the fluid coming/going to the caliper.

my '72 pulled left when braking but if i lifted and reapplied the brakes the pull disappeared. after replacing the master cylinder, every hard line and fitting, all 4 hoses, and rebuilding each caliper it pulled left for about the first 50 miles and then quit. it tracks straight and smooth while braking ever since.

[JimFreeh]

If it pulls to the right upon intial brake application, then the pull dimishes (while holding braking prssure steady), replace the rubber lines to the calipers.

If the pull remains constant under the same circumstances as above, look at the left caliper for your problem.

The line, if restricted, will eventually allow pressure to equalize. This has the effect of diminishing or eliminating the pull.

If the caliper is bad, the braking force will not equalize, and the pull will remain.

Jim

[skis3]

Thank you for the advice. I received the caliper and hydraulic line yesterday, but per you suggestions I will only change the hydraulic line and see if my problem goes away. Bob

[skis3]

The passenger side hydraulic line was definitely plugged or extremely reduced, so I changed it and since I already had the new caliper I went ahead and put it on also. She no longer pulls to the left. Thank you everyone. You saved the day again!