Brakes pulling left after Tundra upgrade SOLVED

With passenger tire off the ground Have some one press on brake then see if you can rotate the tire

 

ok, I will try this.

 

@Darce Any update?

 

So I just went out and lifted the passenger tire off the ground. The wheel stops spinning instantly and I cannot turn it by hand with the brake applied.

I did notice though that when I tried to turn the wheel with the brake applied the steering wheel cocked to the right just like when I'm on the street. Don't know what that means, this is kinda a mind bender for me now.

 

Ok So I shot a quick video of whats going on. I have two other vehicles to daily and no I don't normally drive like this lol. I just wanted to try and illustrate more clearly whats happening and maybe get some better ideas from the community as to whats going on here and what I can do about it. This is only about half pressure on the pedal and rear adjusted down to 50% of the front pressure.

https://youtube.com/shorts/6_XB4DU737o?feature=share

 

So applying the brakes steering goes right but truck goes left?

 

MOST of the time, yes. Hard braking sometimes it surprises me and stops straight, wheel still goes right..

 

Sounds like a steering rack issue.

@Dm93 is there check valves in the rack or do you change the whole rack?

 

That looks more like something is shifting on the front end when applying the brake than an actual brake issue.
Can you get someone to walk alongside while you drive it around slowly and apply the brakes to see if something is moving?

I don't think it's a rack issue either, every time I've seen where the steering goes one way and the vehicle the other way it's been a loose/worn front end component (typically a control arm bolt loose/bushing shot or ball joint with a bunch of slop).

 

Sway bar ? Maybe

 

Don't think so, the sway bar has nothing to do with alignment. It's purpose is to reduce roll when going around a corner.

 

I will try and get some slow moving sudden braking video from outside the truck and see what it reveals.

I think I will pull the cotter pins and check the castle nuts for tightness. I think its 103 and 67 for the lbj and the tie rod end.

Thank you for sticking with this one.

 

I like DM’s idea
Check all bushes both sides upper and lower
Try what DM says buddy in taco applying brakes and you outside listening/observing
In addition, so you can see more, have buddy drive in a circle (both R&L full cocked steering wheel) while hitting brake pedal
Will give you better sight line

or
I have seen on tht BBC show wheeler dealers to take big pry bar and place between frame and suspect UCA/LCA
Determine if lots of play
Let everyone know!!

 

Yeah def not a brake issue with the steering moving in opposite direction

 

I had this same exact problem on my 2004 3.4 liter 4WD double cab Tacoma.

I would apply the brakes and the truck would suddenly move to the left. I almost got into an accident going down hill on a major freeway in California. Scared the crap outta me!

I replaced a number of parts in the front end and no change.

So I borrowed a Go Pro and mounted it under the truck and drove around apply the brakes at various speeds and lo and behold it turned out that one of the bushings on my brand new Mevotech lower A arms was defective and the whole A arm moved when I would apply the brakes.

I replaced all the lower A arms with Toyota OEM A arms and no more swerving to the left when I brake at any speed.

Get a Go Pro and use that to diagnose the problem. Don't activate the parts cannon like I did.

 

Ok I both lbj and tie rod castle

Yeah well crap, I have those same lower arms from Rock Auto.

 

I checked all the castle nuts, all are tight. I did find the center nut on the steering rack, the 22mm was not to 147 ft pounds. It was tight but not 147 tight. I also peeled the inner tie rod boots back and watched the steering rack as my wife turned the wheel. Drivers side has a little bit of play that shows when the rack starts to actually move the tire. I have an old Iphone I'm going to set up to watch as I take a quick drive.

 

Well dang. I just got back from shooting some video. Drivers side was not the best angle so I won't bother posting but the passenger side.....I think we got some action.

https://youtu.be/f6ownw6hqiA

Skip to 1:15

 

Try and get a view of one of the bushings from the front using the Go Pro. That's what I did.

 

Funny to see this... This is exactly where I am right now. Been fighting a pull ever since I swapped a new frame over a year ago. I used cheap aftermarket LCA and UCA with factory ball joints. I should have realized when the alignment wouldn't stay and the bolts wouldn't stay tight that something was up. Just ordered brand new OEM LCAs yesterday. Thank you for posting this @weinerdogfromhell