Drift to right?

[Joe from N.Y.]

I have an '05 300C, can anybody advise what the problem is when i go down a straight level road and pulse the brakes, the steering wheel makes small jerks to the right, and the car goes to the right more with every tap of the brakes. it seems to move right by itself every time i tap the brakes. 42,000 miles on it and i had it 2 months so i dont really know service history. Is it the tie rods or alignment, ???

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by Joe from N.Y.

I have an '05 300C, can anybody advise what the problem is when i go down a straight level road and pulse the brakes, the steering wheel makes small jerks to the right, and the car goes to the right more with every tap of the brakes. it seems to move right by itself every time i tap the brakes. 42,000 miles on it and i had it 2 months so i dont really know service history. Is it the tie rods or alignment, ???

Early '05 LX cars were known for a "right pull" and there were revised alignment specs - - but if this was your problem it would not be dependent on applying the brakes.

If I understand you correctly, as long as you are not applying the brakes, the car tracks stright. If this is the case, then your problem is most likely neither tie rods nor alignment; you need to have your front brakes checked!

It could be that your pads are worn to the point that they are "metal to metal" on the right side, or you could have a caliper hanging up. I only have 10k miles on my "C" so I have never inspected my brakes yet, but most cars have a 'floating caliper' design and i believe the LX cars do as well. This means the caliper only has a piston on one side of the rotor, so the caliper is mounted in such a way that it moves (or 'floats') when you apply the brakes, applying equal force to both pads. If the caliper cannot move properly due to rust, road grime, etc. then you can get uneven wear on the pads, or you may not get as much braking power on one side of the car as the other which will cause a pull. The fix could be as simple as cleaning the caliper mounting area with some fine emery cloth and applying some high tempurature grease (available at any auto parts store).

Pull the wheels off and check your brakes or take it in and have them checked!

[abupu]

Stop using your brakes in-corner, they are wearing un-evenly you clown!!!!!

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by abupu

Stop using your brakes in-corner, they are wearing un-evenly you clown!!!!!

Huh?.............................................. .