Pulling to the right when brakes applied.

[whoaru99]

Finally got back to this project. Unhooked the steel line from the brake hose and fluid started dribbling out as expected (hoped). Given the short line it was not long at all before the fluid was running clear.

Hoses on order; none in local stock so ordered from Rock Auto at considerable savings even with the shipping.

 

[whoaru99]

The pull is completely eliminated. It was the hose. I confirmed the original caliper was not stuck by pressurizing and extending the piston, but installed the new/reman one anyway.

Have more work to do though. Many years back I put in polyurethane sway bar and end link bushings. Notice the end link bushings are splitting and feel hard as rock. So, at some point not far in the future will be replacing that stuff too (and the right front brake hose and caliper).

 

[grey]

Sweet! My big bet was on sticking caliper or pad parts. Secondary bet was on the flex hose.

I've never had a bad one, but I've seen reports of the inner liner of the hose collapsing. What could be a quick test? Send some weed whacker line in there?

 

[Blue Shadow]

Don’t know of good test for hose. The pressurized fluid works its way behind the barrier coating in the hose and builds pressure around the inside opening, pinching off the line to the caliper. Can get to the point of fluid pressure does not release when the pedal is released leading to a brake locked to the rotor and a damaged rotor. This seems to be a not uncommon issue that along with frozen calipers keeps brakes from functioning.

 

[whoaru99]

I used air compressor to try blowing through the hose and no air at all passed through

 

[gadget73]

I've always just cracked the bleeder and if the pressure relieved, I just assumed it was the hose to blame. I suppose you could also try cracking the line at the frame side. If it relieves with the bleeder but not on the frame, its the part in between, aka the hose.

Haven't been super impressed with poly endlinks. The bushings always seem to get petrified and crack like you're experiencing. The rubber ones don't hold up terribly well either so i don't really know what the answer is to that problem.

 

[whoaru99]

More parts on order. The sway bar bushings were not real clear on Rock Auto so ordered from Spohn where it was all clearly laid out for getting the 36mm front / 23 mm rear sway bar bushings, as there are a several different combinations depending on the factory packages. Costed a little more but not a whole lot more, and it'll be the right stuff.

As well, the ones from Spohn are the greaseable versions so that's sorta nice. Considered ordering a "wonderbar" steering/subframe stiffener but glad I double checked first because this car has the factory/OEM installed bar.