Brake pedal is stiff and the car pulls left or right when braking (occasionally)?

Tiny
EVAGCHRISTOS
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 178,000 MILES
One day, the left side of the car(wheels) fell into a pothole while I was breaking at least 50%(strength), then the car started pulling to the left every time I was braking. Then I did an emergency brake stop and the problem was solved.
After that it kept coming every time I would go in a pothole while breaking, I had my mechanic to check the car, he checked brake calipers, pads, brake hoses, ABS sensors (through the diagnostic system). I then took the car for wheel alignment and checked the tire pressure at a tire specialist, then my mechanic told me it might be the alignment of the steering wheel IN the ESP Module, so I took the car to Nissan dealership and they checked the car and they told me that they put the car on diagnostic system and the steering wheel was not aligned in the ESP, ABS, ECU.
Then I got the car and they told me if it still happens it means that I need to change the ESP, ABS, ECU.
I got the car, two weeks no issue. Then today, out of nowhere, the problem came back. No pothole, just driving on a very nice road. And my concern is that now not only does the car pull on one side (started pulling to the right, then I did an emergency brake stop and now it pulls to the left), but also the brake pedal becomes very stiff as if the servo is not working. But then it gets soft again (not perfect but a bit softer) and then it is stiff again.
Please help.
Recent changes to the car.
I switched to Hybrid terrain tires (something between all terrain and mud terrain tires) but the problem started before changing the tires.
two years ago I upgraded the suspension to a full 2inches lifting kit specifically made for my car from TJM, I have polyurethane bushes all around and camber correction bushes in the front, the car was aligned perfectly and had no issues whatsoever, I have heavy duty ventilated brake rotors in the front from Milner offroad, and I have replaced both brake cylinder approximately 2 years ago.
Sunday, December 15th, 2024 AT 12:30 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,313 POSTS
The fact that you hit the brakes hard and the problem switches form side to side means something might be loose, also when the brake pedal is hard it can mean the brake master is not releasing fully and holding the brake on. Can I ask if when you installed the lift kit did you change the front brake hoses as well? These hoses can not be twisted because they will act funny and cause the brakes to work and then not work. When the truck is pulling either way I would raise the front of the truck up and see if both front wheels spin freely.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
EVAGCHRISTOS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Dear Ken,

Thank you for your reply.

I took the car to a Nissan specialist garage center and they examined every brake hose, and every abs sensor and they also said that the problem is the ABS CONTROL UNIT. They ran a diagnostic control and they told me that there is an error code for the abs control unit. And I then asked "Okay, but then why does the brake pedal become stiff? Doesn't that mean that the brake master(servo) is malfuctioning and not releasing the pressure correctly? Doesn't that mean that I also have a malfuctioning break master? " And their reply was "because the abs control unit is not working properly and does not send the correct signal to each wheel it is causing the brake master(servo) to not function properly".
They said that my pathfinder will be ready tomorrow and asked my permission to take the car for a "long" test drive to make emergency brake stops in both tarmac and gravel to rest assure that the problem is solved. Fingers crossed my torture will end tomorrow!
No I did not change the brake hoses because TJM on their lift kit manual said that there is no need to change the brake hoses (to extended brake hoses) for my car because even on the position of most suspension travel the brake hoses are NOT extended beyond the manufacturer limit. But yet again, I have the suspension already for 2 years and I have had this problem the last month.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,313 POSTS
It sounds like to me the brake master might have something to do with it. Lets see what happens, to confirm you had no ABS lights on while driving correct? Please let me know what happens I am interested.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 AT 10:01 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links