Braking problem - pulls side to side

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grant111
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Year and Trim: 1990 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royale

Braking problem - pulls side to side

Post by grant111 »

Car:1990 Olds 88 Royale
Symptom: Car pulls side to side when braking. I notice it above 20mph. It pulls to the left under light pedal and back to right under heavy pedal. When coming to a stop at speed, it goes left, and then right through pedal depression

What I have done to solve this so far:
- Moved tires around to eliminate heavy torque steer to right - was really bad and a worn tire amplified the problem
- Replaced calipers and rotors as well as wheel cylinders, drums and shoes - bled the system thoroughly util the fluid was clear and free of air bubbles
- Lower ball joints replaced
- new control arm bushings
- just got an alignment

other details:
- in the past year: replaced axles and struts.
- Replace the engine and transmission mounts (the new left front trans mount failed and was replaced yet again.

The tie rods are OK...

I started to replace the master cylinder, but it seems the hard brake line fittings are really stuck and the soft metal on the fittings are already rounded over a bit from previous work.

Questions:
What do the proportioning valves do? Has anyone experience with their failure? What are the symptoms?

Ideas? This really is the only problem left after a nearly complete overhaul of the car.

Thanks!
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J Wikoff
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Re: Braking problem - pulls side to side

Post by J Wikoff »

The prop valves reduce pressure downstream. If they fail, they would either allow full pressure or cutoff pressure all together.
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RJolly87
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Re: Braking problem - pulls side to side

Post by RJolly87 »

I also believe the proportioning valve controls pressure front to back.

Does this car have ABS? Why was one tire worn really bad?
~Randall~
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grant111
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Year and Trim: 1990 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royale

Re: Braking problem - pulls side to side

Post by grant111 »

I bought these tires from a used tire place. I think they may be factory seconds. Also, they suffered the old struts and alignment issues before those things were corrected. Also, I was interested to read in the factory manual that the master cylinder is "diagonally split" so the right rear and front left tires are on the same circuit.
oddie121
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Re: Braking problem - pulls side to side

Post by oddie121 »

Have you tried to fully bleed each caliper and drum cylinders?
Do you hear any squeeking when braking?
Have you checked your wheel bearings?
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grant111
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Year and Trim: 1990 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royale

Re: Braking problem - pulls side to side

Post by grant111 »

Problem solved: Mechanic that installed lower ball joints didn't tighten the bolts. Ugh... Now the car is at another shop getting a camber kit and all new subframe bushings. Should be perfect after that.
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