Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Help front brake issues, 98 contour se

Help have puzzeling front brake issue.
Bought car 2 month ago, for my son in college but there seems to be a persistant pull to the right under moderate braking, Have replaced all front brake components except mounting brackets (hoses, calipers, rotors, pads). Have bled the brakes several times, NO AIR BUBBLES TRAPPED. All items seem to be working correctly. Front end has been inspected and aligned by a local high quality shop. BUT the wheel turn left under moderate braking and car stays fairly straight. If you hold the wheel firmly while braking similarly, the car dives towards the right. Have checked rear brakes by applying the parking brake while traveling a low speed, no pull from the back.
Help any suggestion are welcome!!!
Karl

Welcome . Is it "pulsing" too? You did not mention "turning" the rotors. New rotors need to be "turned".

Yes rotors were turned.
This problem showed up shortly after car was purchased and allbrake work has cut issue by 50%.
Thanks,
Karl

Swap the rotors from side to side and see if the problem follows the rotors. Although very unusual, I have seen this with rotors that have uneven thickness (one rotor thinner than the other) and also from rotors that were somewhat physically different (different metalergy).

You should also look hard at the steel brake lines. A kinked, bent, or squasked brake line can do this. I remember one (not a Contour) that showed up aften an engine swap and the engine installer hit the line with something and caused the line to be nearly shut.

Had several private body shops and alignment specialists look over the car. They believed the problem to be brake related. We recently had a heavy snowfall which left roads snowcovered and wet. Problem became exponentially worse, pointing to suspension problem. Ordered NEW vertical 2 bolt control arms (Urathane bushings cost $180 for set of 4, 2 control arms with bushings and new balljoints only cost $165). When I removed left control arm, rear bushing center fell to the floor. With new parts car drives like new.
Thanks,
Karl

Thanks for getting back to us.