Gavin

Hey people. Looking for suggestions on how to determine the cause of my 2002 ES pulling right when I brake. I did the visual inspection but came up with nothing. I can compensate on the wheel but if I go no hands, I'm in the next lane. I've been looking for a tech/repair manual, but no luck. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanx.

Sir Nuke

I will assume we are talking about your 2002 ES.....take it directly to the dealer....make them fix it...its certainly still under warrantee.

DebaryJoe

Did you check the air pressure in the tires? Mine pulled right during the test drive while braking. The right front tire was too low. Simple check before going back to the dealer (maybe save you from looking dumb).

redrims

or your allignment can be off. Just take to the dealer for them to fix it.

Gavin

I keep forgetting about that warrantee thing (first car that's had one). I can bring it to any Mazda dealer right, not just the one I bought it from? There are no suspension mods so everything should be legit. I'm also a bit wary about letting someone else work on my ride. I just got it back from the body shop for accident repairs and they busted the bypass toggle switch for an engine mod, busted the seek button on my radio and didn't even aim the new headlight (bunch of frickin' hacks!). Good thing it was all insurance $. Hey DebaryJoe... too late on that looking dumb thing. Thanks guys.

carguycw

Wait, the car's been wrecked? This changes the question in a BIG way. If the wreck broke or bent anything structural, the alignment may be FUBAR, and it may be the bodyshop's fault. The dealer will probably try to pin it on the bodyshop; you might want to try going there first. Hopefully, they are friendly.

OK, just in case you have to get this fixed elsewhere (if your local dealer(s) AND the bodyshop won't touch it) here's a quick list of possible causes of braking pull:
1) Low tire pressure on one side.
2) New tire on one side but not the other (esp. if they are different brands).
3) Different wear pattern on one tire (often caused when a tire shop takes a tire off to fix a puncture and remounts it backwards).
4) Wheel alignment FUBAR due to natural causes.
5) Wheel alignment FUBAR due to bent suspension or frame. (Get ready!)
6) One front brake caliper hanging up or seizing.
7) Uneven brake pad or rotor wear (caused by #6).

Good luck!

DebaryJoe

I just noticed you're from RI. I was born and raised there (lived in WW), moved to FL 15 + years ago. I was going to say lookout for the pot holes and maybe the problem was alignment related, then I read your post about some accident damage.

Carguycw had some good thoughts on that.

Gavin

The damage was just cosmetic; beat up bumper cover and driver's HL assembly. I wrote all about it when it happened in

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=13328

The problem has been there for a while. I tried to have the body shop do an alignment but the insurance didn't buy it because there was no contact to the suspension when I got hit. There's a place down the road that can do it for >$50.00. I was just looking for suggestions. I already did the basic checks. Overall it's not bad but, c'mon, it's a 2002. I guess I'll just pull the wheels and pads and measure the rotors. If I can't fix it I'll try the dealership. Thanks. Hey DebaryJoe, you wouldn't even recognize it around here anymore. We had a MAD population boom and they're building **** EVERYWHERE. They even built a new school to take care of all Exeter and W. Greenwich. PM me and I might be able to send some pictures.