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weight distribution...

Posted: 28 Sep 2013, 11:16
by Smosh
So I have the main and leisure battery, full cupboards and my lardy self all drivers side. Awning and wife on the other... Could this cause the car to pull to the right under breaking?
Thanks

Re: weight distribution...

Posted: 28 Sep 2013, 14:21
by pionte
nope.... time to give the brakes a good look over .

Re: weight distribution...

Posted: 28 Sep 2013, 15:32
by Smosh
Damn, thought as such. Got another 8 days away first.

Do you think it may just be new shoes and adjusment, or seized pistons. Also, there many cheap and easy upgrades?

Re: weight distribution...

Posted: 28 Sep 2013, 16:05
by pionte
can yuu feel it through the steering wheel ? most likely sticking front callipers.... they are about £60 for exchange refurbed units each, worth checking brake hoses for bulging too and rears , could be shoes out of adjustment or leaking wheel cylinder. my money is on fronts though.

There are upgrade parts available.... but not cheap, allow £500 + . Standard brakes in good order are more than adequate ... remember they where designed to stop nearly 3 tonnes loaded ...

Re: weight distribution...

Posted: 28 Sep 2013, 17:30
by Smosh
Na not worth it for that price. It's standard engine etc so it doesn't need them particularly if they're designed for that weight!

Steer wheel feels fine, road camber has a significant impact. I think the front end needs to see a grease gun and new bushes. Today was the first time anything dramatic happened but previously they have locked up easily which I put down to the weather

I was heading down the road At about 30, the car ahead braked and I was distracted by a road sign so I was slow to respond, but should of had loads of time except under braking the van pulled right and I had to counter steer the van whilst it felt like it was Jack knifing. , fortunately with a little yanking on the steering wheel and letting the brakes on and off she stopped in time. But I'm not convinced that with a little more speed this would have been a very different story.

Hopefully servicing the brakes will sort out with minimal issues. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks for the help! :ok

Re: weight distribution...

Posted: 14 Oct 2013, 16:34
by HarryMann
No grease points under there AFAIK

Check thickness of brake discs too, think 12mm min. original 16mm? Hopefully no-one has replaced one and not t'other :(

Have a very good look a round all 4 brakes, 2 ton is a lot to stop. Rears need to be tip-top to be doing much at all :shock:

Re: weight distribution...

Posted: 17 Oct 2013, 07:57
by jokeruk
Try cleaning the pistons too. An old van of mine failed it's MOT on brake distribution.

I took off the calipers, took out the pads and pushed on the brakes (but only a little - otherwise it'll push the pistons completely out if your not careful) and clean the pistons with brake cleaner.

My understanding was that if there's crud on the piston it can stick on the seals and delay the 'push' compared to the other side.

Worked for me anyway.

Re: weight distribution...

Posted: 17 Oct 2013, 20:37
by Smosh
thanks for the advice.

Going to do it asap, but firstly I am trying to find somewhere to keep the Van. Somewhat tricky in Guernsey!