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MG MGF Technical - Brake Problem

My 97 F pulls to the left on braking. I've looked at BBS threads and as suggested there, tried easing caliper pistons on both sides with WD40 and copper grease. This has not solved the problem. I'm now thinking of buying a new caliper assembly or stripping down and overhauling the offending side. Which would be the side to change/overhaul? Or has anyone got a other ideas I could try?
Ron
R Bourne

I know this sounds silly but are you absolutely sure that it's only pulling to the left when your braking. Have you tried just letting the car slow down without braking and see if it pulls to the left. If so it might be the power steering "Steer to the left" problem which feels similar. Basically the car pulls to the left as it slows to a stop.

You could also check that the inner brake pad is not rusted to the caliper on one of the front brakes.
Keith

To add to Keith's suggestions, it could also be a tracking problem - so it is worth checking all these areas before investing in a new caliper.
Rob Bell

Keith,
Tried letting car slow down without braking and it ran in a straight line. I replaced pads about 6 months ago and used copper grease where they touched calipers. Brakes were ok then. For about the last 4 1/2 months my car has been garaged, so therefore I thought that a sticking piston was the problem because of lack of use.

Rob,
My car runs very smoothly, no pulling or wheel wobble and tyres are worn evenly, could the tracking still be a problem and cause pulling to the left on braking?
R Bourne

>> could the tracking still be a problem and cause pulling to the left on braking? <<

Less likely, but could depend on the alignment of the subframes. However, this kind of problem is very rare unless the car has been badly rebuilt following a major accident.

Ron, does the car pull to one side on heavy acceleration too?

If that's all fine, then a sticking caliper is certainly possible. Either the pads are not moving smoothly in the guides, or the piston is sticking, as you suggest.

I've not looked into the costs of reconditioning - but this is one option - as indeed is buying a good second hand caliper...
Rob Bell

Rob,
On accerating car is ok, on 'soft' braking and 'hard' braking it's also ok. It's only on medium to hard braking that it pulls to the left.
R Bourne

Check the wear on the pads to see if the set on one side of the car is more worn than the other?
Russell Parslow

Rob,
just found this on another thread:

With an ABS car, you CAN'T force the fluid back; if you do you'll damage the ABS valve body ($1500). Instead, you must open the caliper bleed screw and drain the excess fluid out of the caliper while you press the piston back into the bore. This is very important! If you force the dirty, water-contaminated fluid back through the relatively fragile valve body, you'll ruin it.

I didn't open caliper bleed screw when pushing back piston, although braking is no worse than now than before.

R Bourne

This thread was discussed between 06/03/2006 and 08/03/2006

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