Normal for brakes to do this?! - Focaljet

**wmudavey** · 04-21-2001, 08:12 AM

Ok i don't think it is normal but when i use my brakes it pulls to the right EVERYtime. Also whenever i hit a bump, crack, or hole in the road it pulls the steering wheel. Pretty dangerous when I am driving at higher speeds. Also it feels like my steering is disconnected in a way...i can feel more road through it when it was new. like it feels like something is broken. Anyone have any ideas? ALso can someone tell me when you would know if your CV joints need to be replaced?

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2001 ZX3
Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue

**JMcQueen** · 04-21-2001, 09:25 AM

It could be a warped disc. How hard are you on the brakes?

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1.8 Focus Zetec (UK)
Pacific Green
Lockwood white dials
Momo gear knob
Koni shocks
Eibach springs
17" Speedline Chrono's

**new guy** · 04-21-2001, 10:16 AM

It may be your advance-trac trying to figure out the chaging road condition. I have the same thing in my car as well. The pull is very gentle, much less than torque steer, but it startled the heck out of me the first time I noticed it. I notice the pulling most when gently slowing to a stop and the road has a small pothole or change in surface like from asphalt to concrete. If you have any more than the gentle pull take it in to be checked out.

Also, try turning the advance-trac off and see what happens.

**wmudavey** · 04-21-2001, 10:38 AM

yea i am thinking it might be warped rotors. i have warped rotors on 3 other cars...but i never had it pull sharply to the right before. I will turn the advance trac off but the advance trac light is not coming on when i am braking so i doubt it is that. i got in an accident in march and they replaced the tie rods, wheel, wheel bearings, control arm, tire and some other thjings.....i think it may be from that but still it bugs the crap outta me. i am getting annoyed and it is really embarrasing when i have people in the car they think my car is falling apart.

------------------
2001 ZX3
Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue

**blurr** · 04-22-2001, 05:38 PM

strut bearings.
Especially bad when you have to brake hard on warped pavement.

**MegzFocus** · 04-23-2001, 11:45 AM

My friend had this problem in her Saab

They finally figured out it was a combo of 3 things, the first was her strut bearing was worn, her rotor was warped (probably as a result of the other 2 problems) and lastly there was a problem with her ABS, somethign to the effect of it was "turning on" on that wheel each time she stopped when she was going over like 25 (is it worse when your going faster?) they replaced/tweaked a few things with her ABS and no problems since in 4 years

I don't know all the technology but in summary

have your ABS checked along with all the other stuff!

**wmudavey** · 04-24-2001, 10:47 AM

Thanks guys. It goes in on Thursday. I write back what they did when I get back on Thursday

------------------
2001 ZX3
Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue
Mods to my company car:
Intermittent wipers, BMW tip, Ireland sticker, Foglight mod.
That will be about it...I don't own it!

**wmudavey** · 04-28-2001, 02:37 PM

Ok so i brought my car to a ford corporate executive garage and it turns out the boneheads at the dealer never balanced the new wheel and tire that they put on my car after my accident..i had to have the wheel and tire replaces. they just threw it on!! It needed 20 grams of weight added to it. Turns out the rotor on that wheel is damaged too so i have to get new rotors....they ordered them and came in a day later...maybe get them put on this week......not sure yet.

------------------
2001 ZX3
Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue
Mods to my company car:
Intermittent wipers, BMW tip, Ireland sticker, Foglight mod.
That will be about it...I don't own it!

04-21-2001, 08:12 AM	#1
wmudavey Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,267	Normal for brakes to do this?! Ok i don't think it is normal but when i use my brakes it pulls to the right EVERYtime. Also whenever i hit a bump, crack, or hole in the road it pulls the steering wheel. Pretty dangerous when I am driving at higher speeds. Also it feels like my steering is disconnected in a way...i can feel more road through it when it was new. like it feels like something is broken. Anyone have any ideas? ALso can someone tell me when you would know if your CV joints need to be replaced? ------------------ 2001 ZX3 Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue

04-21-2001, 09:25 AM	#2
JMcQueen Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Grimsby, England, UK Posts: 1,656	Re: Normal for brakes to do this?! It could be a warped disc. How hard are you on the brakes? ------------------ 1.8 Focus Zetec (UK) Pacific Green Lockwood white dials Momo gear knob Koni shocks Eibach springs 17" Speedline Chrono's

04-21-2001, 10:16 AM	#3
new guy Rookie Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 12	Re: Normal for brakes to do this?! It may be your advance-trac trying to figure out the chaging road condition. I have the same thing in my car as well. The pull is very gentle, much less than torque steer, but it startled the heck out of me the first time I noticed it. I notice the pulling most when gently slowing to a stop and the road has a small pothole or change in surface like from asphalt to concrete. If you have any more than the gentle pull take it in to be checked out. Also, try turning the advance-trac off and see what happens.

04-21-2001, 10:38 AM	#4
wmudavey Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,267	Re: Normal for brakes to do this?! yea i am thinking it might be warped rotors. i have warped rotors on 3 other cars...but i never had it pull sharply to the right before. I will turn the advance trac off but the advance trac light is not coming on when i am braking so i doubt it is that. i got in an accident in march and they replaced the tie rods, wheel, wheel bearings, control arm, tire and some other thjings.....i think it may be from that but still it bugs the crap outta me. i am getting annoyed and it is really embarrasing when i have people in the car they think my car is falling apart. ------------------ 2001 ZX3 Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue

04-22-2001, 05:38 PM	#5
blurr TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 853	Re: Normal for brakes to do this?! strut bearings. Especially bad when you have to brake hard on warped pavement.

04-23-2001, 11:45 AM	#6
MegzFocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Shelton, CT Posts: 1,944	Re: Normal for brakes to do this?! My friend had this problem in her Saab They finally figured out it was a combo of 3 things, the first was her strut bearing was worn, her rotor was warped (probably as a result of the other 2 problems) and lastly there was a problem with her ABS, somethign to the effect of it was "turning on" on that wheel each time she stopped when she was going over like 25 (is it worse when your going faster?) they replaced/tweaked a few things with her ABS and no problems since in 4 years I don't know all the technology but in summary have your ABS checked along with all the other stuff!

04-24-2001, 10:47 AM	#7
wmudavey Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,267	Re: Normal for brakes to do this?! Thanks guys. It goes in on Thursday. I write back what they did when I get back on Thursday ------------------ 2001 ZX3 Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue Mods to my company car: Intermittent wipers, BMW tip, Ireland sticker, Foglight mod. That will be about it...I don't own it!

04-28-2001, 02:37 PM	#8
wmudavey Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,267	Re: Normal for brakes to do this?! Ok so i brought my car to a ford corporate executive garage and it turns out the boneheads at the dealer never balanced the new wheel and tire that they put on my car after my accident..i had to have the wheel and tire replaces. they just threw it on!! It needed 20 grams of weight added to it. Turns out the rotor on that wheel is damaged too so i have to get new rotors....they ordered them and came in a day later...maybe get them put on this week......not sure yet. ------------------ 2001 ZX3 Advance Trac, Side bags, moonroof, Malibu blue Mods to my company car: Intermittent wipers, BMW tip, Ireland sticker, Foglight mod. That will be about it...I don't own it!

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