mechanics

Addictedtodamon
Addictedtodamon Posts: 69
in Chit-Chat
I don't know if there any mechanics here but I need some help here. I just bought a van and didn't know it had issues. I had to put brakes in it. Now my van is pulling me to the left and a little bouncy. What does that mean?....And will it cost me alot of money?....I bought a Quest Nissan.

Replies

  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    I don't know if there any mechanics here but I need some help here. I just bought a van and didn't know it had issues. I had to put brakes in it. Now my van is pulling me to the left and a little bouncy. What does that mean?....And will it cost me alot of money?....I bought a Quest Nissan.
    If it is pulling to the left consistantly (assuming your alignment is good), then this means that your left caliper is frozen closed. This is causing excessive drag on the left side. This will also hurt your fuel economy and make the brake pad wear out prematurely.

    The guy who put your brakes on SHOULD have caught this.
    If it is pulling to the left ONLY when hitting the brakes, this means that your RIGHT brake caliper is not closing properly. Most likely the result of a clogged brake line.
    New brake calipers will run you somewhere aroung $50.00 per side. Personally, if it is a bad caliper, I would replace both of them.
    Labor should be about one hour.
  • YoungDoc2B
    YoungDoc2B Posts: 1,593 Member
    My first thought is that you possibly need an alignment. How are your tires?
  • the_journeyman
    the_journeyman Posts: 1,877 Member
    I'll confirm the first two responses.

    The 'bouncy' could be a wheel not centered correctly on the hub when it was put back on if it just started. I could also be a badly out of balance wheel as well.

    JM
  • maiaroman18
    maiaroman18 Posts: 460 Member
    I agree with the other posters.

    Did you check your tire pressure? That's the simplest thing to fix.

    When does it pull to the left? All of the time, or just when you hit the brakes?

    What kind of bouncy? Like a jerking when you hit the brakes? When you hit a bump? Is it all the time, worse at high speeds?
  • Addictedtodamon
    Addictedtodamon Posts: 69
    it bounces when I hit on the brakes, it pulls while I am driving. It doesn't pull that much though. I think it might be the tires in the front. I see on one tire which is the drivers side that it has tears on it. Like it has been drivin alot.
  • Addictedtodamon
    Addictedtodamon Posts: 69
    I agree with the other posters.

    Did you check your tire pressure? That's the simplest thing to fix.

    When does it pull to the left? All of the time, or just when you hit the brakes?

    What kind of bouncy? Like a jerking when you hit the brakes? When you hit a bump? Is it all the time, worse at high speeds?

    your last sentence is right. AT high speed it bounces too and it moves to the left. I don't want to pay arm and a leg for it. I just need to know what it can it be so maybe I can fix it soon. I don't have the money to fix it now.
  • Penny_Lane_
    Penny_Lane_ Posts: 163
    Probably needs an alignment.

    Check the tires and make sure all 4 are properly pressurized.
  • maiaroman18
    maiaroman18 Posts: 460 Member
    it bounces when I hit on the brakes, it pulls while I am driving. It doesn't pull that much though. I think it might be the tires in the front. I see on one tire which is the drivers side that it has tears on it. Like it has been drivin alot.
    I'm unsure what you mean by tears on it, like little cracks on the sidewall? That's normal wear and tear, unless it's dry rot. Tires typically have tread markers between the treads that when the indicators are flush with the tread then the tires are worn and need to be replaced.

    if it's a shaking that gets worse at high speeds, I would say tire is out of balance.
    if the car pulls when you hit the brakes, I would say it's a caliper or a brake line. if the car jerks when you hit the brakes, it's usually a rotor problem. but you said you just had a brake job. I would take it back and ask them to look at it again.
    it probably needs an alignment. but check the tire pressure as well.

    a lot of car repair shops will take your car for a test drive, diagnose the problem free of charge, give you an estimate, etc without a commitment to having your car repaired.

    I'm not a car mechanic (I'm a mechanic of other sorts), so cars aren't my specialty, but hopefully this helps.

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