2000 Chevy Cavalier 2000 chevy cavalier brake problem.

2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
64,583 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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KRISTINJILL
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Sometimes when i am pulling out of a parking spot or my driveway i'll hit the brake and the entire car pulls to one side. it makes a light "thunk" sound. it does it the next 3 or 4 times i brake and then proceeds to drive normally.
it isnt the same everytime. sometimes it'll pull to the front tire, other times the back tire but always the passenger side. It doesn't matter if i am driving or in reverse. It started out to only happen when i was leaving my college. i tried parking in different spots, but it happened everytime. I took it to my mechanic on multiple occassions and they continue to insist there is no issue. The issue stopped for about a month but has now started again when im driving from anywhere.
Mar 16, 2010 at 5:05 PM
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CARADIODOC
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It's possible your mechanic was inspecting the brakes expecting to find a problem, but didn't. A brake pull can also be caused by worn steering and suspension parts that allow alignment angles to change. A typical symptom of loose or worn parts is clunks when braking and clunks and rattles over bumps. Ask your mechanic to also inspect the steering and suspension systems. You can also take him along on a test drive so you can show him what is happening. One clue is whether or not the steering wheel turns slightly when applying the brakes.

caradiodoc
Mar 16, 2010 at 5:19 PM
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KRISTINJILL
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the steering wheel hasnt been turning when the brake is applied
Mar 25, 2010 at 4:45 PM
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CARADIODOC
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There steering wheel is just one potential clue. Some things that allow a wheel to shift position can cause that tire and wheel to turn left or right without affecting the steering wheel or the other tire. Alignment technicians know that of the three basic adjustments, one affects the other two, one can affect one of the other ones, and one has no affect on the other two, so they are always adjusted in a specific order. That isn't important to you, but it just shows that not everything that causes your car to pull will cause the steering wheel to turn.

Since your mechanics haven't been able to find the common stuff, it's time to find a specialist. Just about any mechanic will be able to diagnose a brake problem, although USUALLY a brake problem causes the steering wheel to turn. A tire and alignment shop will look closer at lower control arm bushings, lower ball joints, struts, upper strut mounts, and steering linkages. They will look at the rear panhard rod that prevents the rear axle from shifting sideways. "Reading" the tire wear can also provide some clues.

Again, consider taking the mechanic along on a test drive so you can point out what is happening.

caradiodoc
Mar 25, 2010 at 10:57 PM