Car pulls to one side when braking?

Question

I have a Fiat Cinquecento S.
My brake pedal is not spongey any more I can push it down and nothing happens until it goes as far as it can and it pulls the car to the left.
Any ideas why this is happening?
Solution?
Average cost for the parts?

Answer 1

Hi

First things first, PARK THE CAR UP!!!!! STOP DRIVING IT!!!!! YOU WILL AT LEAST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND AT MOST KILL YOURSELF/SOMEONE ELSE/BOTH!!!!!!

Next, once it is parked up, check the brake fluid level, if it is all but empty then you will need to bleed some fresh brake fluid into the system which will put you in the next situation.

If the brake fluid is full then you either have a **** load of air in the system, a leak (which has several causes), a bulging flexihose, or a seriously knackered master cylinder/servo unit.

The leak may not be visible due to being hidden away inside a rear brake drum so you have a wee bit of checking to do...... or you could either call out a mobile mech, such as ME!!!!! or have your car RECOVERED to a garage NOT DRIVEN!!!!!

If you are going to drive it then please warn me so I can hide behind my sofa/in my wardrobe/leave the country!

Best wishes and the very best of luck

Geordie

Answer 2

Hello mate. Sounds like a sticking caliper on the side of the car where its pulling and also either air in your system or a leak (less fluid/air=more travel) I would try retracting the sticking caliper first (Don't worry if you don't know anything about Brakes, the book below explains everything). I didn't know anything about car stuff until Toyota asked £1050 to fix my car. Today, 15 days later, I have changed my front discs, brake pads all around, and rear caliper. Get yourself a Haynes Brakes Manual (£17), read up on the weekend, you'll be ready to service your brake system by Monday, its that easy! Also, look on that online aution site for parts as they're much, much cheaper than Halfrauds. Got my front discs and pads all around for £92. And definitely buy a Caliper Piston Retraction Tool (£12), it will save you a lot of hassle. Other things you'll need-copper grease, brake fluid, bleeding kit, brake cleaner. Once you've done one side, you'll dothe other one in less than half hour.

Answer 3

Try moving the Front Tires to the Rear for the Pulling Problem, this check for Bad Tires. Sounds like Caliper Rebuild Time and New Brake Pads, Turn/Resurface the Rotors.

Answer 4

If from what you say, If you have long pedal travel and the foot brake goes to the floor then pulls to the right then I would say a burst brake pipe, bulging brake flexi pipe, If not then a binding/seized brake pad or caliper piston/slide.
Cost? How long is a peice of string?
Good Luck

Answer 5

You need a brake job. Pedal to the floor is not a good thing and indicates severly worn brake pads/shoes.
Get your car to the shop pronto before you crash

Answer 6

Look for low tire pressure on the front tire on the side it's pulling to......it's not always a brake problem.

Low pressure = resistance

...which can fool a person into thinking there's more brake power on one side.

Answer 7

Sounds like the brakes need bleeding or you have a leak that is letting fluid out & taking air into the system.

Answer 8

It sounds like your brakes are grabbing on one side. That may mean that the other side is not working correctly. You should redo your front brakes on both sides. If you have disk brakes, I would install reman calipers and new rotors for sure.

Answer 9

It sounds like you just have air in your brake lines and they need to be bled. Brake bleeding is a fairly easy and simple procedure for the mechanically inclined.

Answer 10

Get your brakes checked possibly worn brake pads or maybe a calliper sticking, if your steering pulls to one side you may need your wheels balancing .