I have an 01 ranger 2wd 3.0. Just got it. Installed new pads and rotors and tie rod ends. The right side seemed to turn just a little harder so I also replaced the right caliper. Still turns a little harder(no change). Is there a valve that could be not releasing? I've also just had an alignment and they couldn't get it to stop pulling. Any thoughts?

 

I assume the alignment guys would have inspected the frame/suspension mounting points?

You say "pulls to right" in the title, but say "turns harder to right" in post?
Pulls to right would mean when driving straight and you apply the brakes truck pulls to the right, so only happens when brakes are used.

Turns hard to right wouldn't specifically involve the brakes, if you let go of the steering wheel truck tends to go to the right, or apply the brakes, or are turning to left or right it feels stiffer turning left.
This would most likely be a suspension issue, could be ball joint or wheel bearing.

No, no valve except in the master cylinder and ABS system.
With ABS issue you would usually feel a slight pulsing in the brake pedal.

Could be a collapsing flexible brake line on the right caliper, the rubber line can split inside, no visible crack or leak on the outside, fluid can flow into caliper but can't flow back out easily so brake tends to hang on that side.

 

Ok let me try again, the truck pulls to the right, more noticeable at highway speed. If I lift the front end and spin the wheels with equal amount of force the left one makes it about 3 turns and the right one about 1.5. I've changed the rotors, pads and the right caliper. Replacing the rotor made no difference on the rolling resistance so I wasted 50 bucks darn it! The truck was just aligned, and they gave me my $ back because it still pulls and they don't know why. The flex line would be worth a try, is my second try at describing my problem more clear?

 

Could be a wheel bearing going out since you said it has more resistance than the other

 

The wheel bearings are in the rotors so they were just cleaned inspected and repacked. With the caliper off the rotor spins effortlessly.

 

Sounds like flex line then

 

yes clearer

Do this, jack up right wheel, and spin it, then open bleeder on caliper then close it, releases any pressure, spin it again, to see if it is pressure in caliper causing it.
Now press brake pedal down and release, spin wheel again, see if it is dragging again, open bleeder and close, spin

If pressure is not being released without opening bleeder, then yes I would try a new flex line.

 

Sounds like a good plan Ron thanks! I'll give it a try after work

 

Have you tried swapping the front tires, radial pull can cause that also,bad tire??

 

I rotated the tires after the failed alignment, didn't help. Last night I let the pressure off of the flex hose and it spun more freely (lile the other side) had to order a hose got my fingers crossed.

 

Why does this thread keep disappearing?

 

Oops nevermind i figured it out

 

Brakes on cars/trucks are done in pairs from master cylinder, front pair and rear pair.
That way if one line or caliper/slave springs a leak you won't lose all braking, just front or rear.

So having one wheel dragging is usually specific to that one wheel's lines, the steel lines really can't act as a valve, they can be bent or crimped but that would show up as less braking, not more, on a wheel.
Rubber lines can crack and a flap of this cracked rubber can allow fluid to flow in but not back out easily, like a backflow preventer valve used on fuel pumps.

ABS releases pressure on one line, it can't add pressure.
Simplified ABS "How it works":
Brake fluid just flows thru ABS brake line when pedal is pressed, just a straight in and out, it has a valve on the side that can open sending fluid back to master, this valve opens and closes fast, that's the pulsing you feel when ABS is being used to stop wheel from locking up.
So if ABS module detects one wheel slowing down faster than the others the valve opens reducing pressure at that one caliper/slave.

 

Flex hose didn't help, ill check the hard lines when i get some time. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree? Is a slight difference in rolling resistance not a big deal and something else is wrong? Is there an adjustment for the steering, when i let off the wheel it turns to the right slightly

 

Bent control arms????

 

No it isn't normal.
Most roads are domed, so banked to the right for water run off, but that would just be a slight roll to the right not a pull to the right.

You have referenced the caliper rubbing on that wheel a few times and said when you opened and closed bleeder the effected wheel would spin longer.
So I think you are on the right track.
Since calipers are new I will assume they slide OK, you could check again, and make sure.

You could try doing the pressure release at the Master cylinder end of the line.
And see if wheel spins easier, while unusual in that it only effects one front wheel, the Master cylinder valve fro the front could be issue but it is a long shot.

You could try flushing that line by bleeding until you see new fluid color coming out, maybe something(debris) in the hard lines is acting like a valve.

 

Is this wheel with the replacement caliper ?
If so, did you get the correct setup ?

What was it like before you did the caliper change ?

If everything is in order and the only change is the caliper... just maybe there is something wrong with the caliper itself; maybe change it out for a new one.

Just thinking a loud.

Ltr

 

Ok it's definitely a brake dragging issue, there's considerably more dust on the right wheel. I've replaced the caliper and the flex hose. The rotor spins with about .001" runout so the spindle isn't bent. I let the hose hang and gravity bleed for a while to get some new oil in it. Now i suspect the abs unit, thats the last thing that separates the right and left. I wish i could switch the right and left lines to see if my problem switched sides. Is there such a thing as an abs eliminator manifold? I thought i could make one from pipe fittings but upon closer inspection i don't think there pipe thread. Good grief! Thanks for all the help

 

Could it be just the wrong pads or caliper ?
Have you checked to see if it the correct part ?

As asked before... why didn't you do both calipers ?

 

ABS valve can't cause pressure, it can only release pressure.

Anti-lock brake valves release pressure at the wheel that is slowing down faster than the others.
To have a pull to the right ABS issue it would be the left ABS valve at fault, BUT you would feel a pulsing and it would only do it when using the brakes, the pull would be because left brake wasn't working.

It would be a long shot but anything can happen.
I would go to a gravel or "slippery" road where you can get the ABS to engage, and see if there is a fault, you will feel the pulsing when it is working.

 

Replace other caliper

 

I purchased all 4 pads in the same box. I only replaced the right caliper because the left one turns freely and the right one drags. Are you saying that the left one should be dragging more and thats whats wrong? If one more 50.00 caliper would fix this I'd be thrilled.

 

Does it pull under braking or just driving, look at you alignment print out, then I could tell you

 

It always pulls right, even in the left lane where the crown should be taking me the other way. The printout is at home i can take a pic after work

 

Your caster would have to be way out or very different from side to side, camber doesn't effect pulling usually at all unless way out on one side, tell me camber ,and caster numbers for both sides