Brake job resulting in alignment issue?

Quick question-

My wife's got a '97 OBW, that would track nice and true on straight road, steering wheel level etc. I took it in to my dealer, to change the brake pads, as they were worn out. Now when driving, the car pulls pretty hard to the right, and to get it to track true, I have to hold the wheel about 10 degrees off true. He said its not his fault, but I've got receipts from the last time I had tires put on the car, alignment was in spec both before and after they changed tires, and has always tracked true whenever I drove it.

Is there anything that the dealer could have screwed up to make the car suddenly start to pull to the right??

TIA, Greg

Reply to
Greg Ouzounian
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Reply to
mulder

To expand on the above, when new pads, which are thicker than the worn pads, are installed, the piston in the caliper has to be pushed back into the caliper and the caliper has to be able to slide freely on its mounts to accommodate the new, thicker pad. If the mechanic fails to clean and lubricate the calipers such that they move freely, then the car can exhibit the problem discussed above.

Also, the last few inches of the brake lines to the front calipers is a flexible hose. Hoses can collapse or pinch either from old age or improper handling of the caliper during brake work such that the flow of brake fluid is restricted. I had a case once where a bad hose caused the brakes on one wheel release slowly after brake application, causing brake drag on that wheel.

Ed P

Reply to
Ed P

A dragging brake on the right side of the car would do it in a hurry.

Best Regards,

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
Reply to
Todd H.

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