BRAKE PULL
A front brake pull condition could result from
- Contaminated brake pad on one caliper
- Seized caliper piston
- Binding caliper
- Loose caliper
- Rusty caliper slide surfaces
- Improper brake pads
- Damaged rotor
- Wheel alignment
- Tire pressure
A worn, or damaged wheel bearing, or worn suspension components are other causes of a pull. A damaged front tire (bruised, ply separation) can also cause a pull.
A common and frequently misdiagnosed pull condition is where direction of pull changes after a few stops. The cause is a combination of brake drag followed by fade at one of the brake units.
As the dragging brake overheats, efficiency is so reduced that fade occurs. Since the opposite brake units are still functioning normally, its braking effect is magnified. This causes the pull to switch direction in favor of the normally functioning brake unit.
An additional point when diagnosing a change in pull condition concerns brake cool down. Remember that the pull will return to the original direction, if the dragging brake unit is allowed to cool down (and is not seriously damaged).