'63 Break pull problem--what to try next?

[Richard W.]

I had a pull to left when I braked. It looked like a lot of the suspension was worn (which most were original and in dreadful shape), so I did a major rebuild of the front end. Then it pulled to the right and the alignment guy suggested wheel cylinders. They too were in bad shape (3 were original and most were leaking). Rebuilt the wheel cylinders with new pistons and put in new fluid.

I still have some pull to the left. At very low speeds, say 5 MPH the wheel actually grabs/skids once in a while. Any suggestions? Could the left wheel cylinder be the problem (perhaps need to hone out some more). Could there be a wheel adjuster problem. I have backed the car up about a dozen times, should the self adjuster adjusted by now?

Any assistance will be appreciated.

As always, thanks.

[Joe R.]

Re: '63 Break pull problem--what to try next?

Richard,

I would suggest installing new shoes and turning the drums. The old ones were probably saturated with brake fluid or at least one was saturated.

Your 63 will last another 40 years with those new brakes.

Regards,

JR

[Mike M.]

Re: '63 Break pull problem--what to try next?

you fail to mention whether or not you replaced the brake shoes along with the wheel cyl rebuild. also failed to note whether or not ya turned the drums. once brake fluid contacts brake shoes/pads, there're junk. anytime i rebuild a vette's brake system, i'll have the drums turned(assuming its a pre-65---or a 65 drum brake critter).Suspension component failure Rarely causes pull to left or right on BRAKING. if it pulls while coasting or under acceleration, then the suspension may be the culprit. good luck, mike

[Ed Jennings]

Re: '63 Break pull problem--what to try next?

Agree with the previous threads that you probably need to go a little further witht he brake job. In addition, if the hoses don't look pretty new, I would replace those also. Also, once in a while the system doen't get throughly bled on the first attempt. This is more a problem with disc brake cars, but the drum variety can trap a little air as well.

[Richard W.]

Thanks for the responses.

Although I did replace the hoses, I did not replace the shoes or have the drums turned. Your suggestions seem reasonable, so I will probably replace shoes/turn the drums.

Thanks again