Car Attempting Suicide! Help!

[350SL4spd]

My '75 450SL is trying to kill itself (& me).

Everytime you hit the brakes it dives to the right. It doesn't pull, it dives. Then, when you let off the brakes it jukes left a little. Just in the driveway, if you apply the pedal @ 3mph & let go of the wheel, it will spin the steering wheel 180*. It is dangerous to drive.

I know what you're thinking: "He has a sticky caliper on the left", but Both front calipers are brand new from the dealer.

The odd thing about this condition is after the initial dive, it does not pull to the right at all; the continuation of braking is smooth and strong. Then you let up on the brakes & it jukes to the left, just a little bit.

I've had the (brand new) left caliper off and the pistons both move freely. Both pads are wearing evenly, and I've re-bled the left caliper and there was no sign of air being in the system.

Any idea what the cause might be? I'm rather confounded.

[2bmj]

Did you replace the rubber hoses between the calipers and the brake lines on the body?

[Mistress]

get it back to the dealer....

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by 2bmj

Did you replace the rubber hoses between the calipers and the brake lines on the body?

Seconded. With age, these hoses can do all kinds of funky crap under braking pressure. One might be completely bad (it sounds like the one on the left) - It will expand under pressure and NOT apply the brakes nearly strong enough, and when you let off the pedal, the hose can be still squeezing on the fluid somewhat keeping the caliper on a bit. Replace both fronts for now and see if that helps.

[350SL4spd]

Brilliant!

I hadn't even thought of that. All the rubber's shot in this old girl.

I'll order them tomorrow. Any reason to choose braided steel over rubber?

[Tomguy]

Aesthetics, and price, pretty much. The rubber ones will work fine, but if you want every last detail to shine and look nice, the stainless is the way to go. When I restore mine, I'll probably go with the latter.