Steering pulls right while braking

[TooMuch03]

Just like the title says. My truck drives fine down the road, stright and true, the alignment seems just fine, the steering is a tad vague but not at all awful. The big problem is when I am braking. When I am slowing down, there is no problem, but right before the truck comes to a stop the steering wheel will jerk suddenly to the right and if I don't hold it, it will turn almost a half a turn, and start to point my truck at the ditch. If I hold it firmly, then I hear a groan and feel a very slight vibration in the brake pedal

The power steering pump is new, my front u-joints are new, new draglink, new sway bar bushings, new brake pads calipers and rotors, all within the last 6 months. My only guess is that the steering box is shot, but since that is over $150, I would like some of your opinions. What do you think is my problem?

[steed281]

I would suspect failing brake caliper on the left first. If you want to try a cheap fix first; flush the old brake fluid. If that doesn't do it, replace left front brake caliper. Should be under warranty if you just replaced it.

When you replaced the pads and rotors did you heat cycle the brakes correctly?

[TooMuch03]

So you think the left caliper isn't functioning. I guess that would be possible. What do you mean by heat cycle?

[MPDAVIS1]

Have looked at your front wheel assemblies? This doesn't sound like any steering symptom I've heard off, sounds like a break assembly problem!! Check your rotors, pads, caliper(likely culprit) and the fluid lines to the res. If its truly only when breaking then it's most likely one of these components!

[steed281]

If the left caliper is weak or not letting the piston come out all the way, the right caliper will have more braking power causing the truck to pull to the right.

Whenever you replace your pads you need heat cycle them to burn them in. You should take the truck for a drive. Get up to 30 MPH then do a hard stop (don't lock them up). Then do the same from 40 MPH, 50 MPH and 60 MPH. Then park the truck and let the brakes cool. This burns the pads into the rotors so the surfaces of the pads are exactly lined up with the surface of the rotor. If you don't do this you could have less braking power on wheel than an other which could cause your issue.

[TooMuch03]

Ok thanks guys. I'm going to start by checking the front brakes and flushing the system