[mshellw]

i just bought a '64 gmc pickup a few weeks ago. bought it in washington state, then drove it to my home in brooklyn, ny. Other than a few slight mishaps, it made the trip.
It's my first real auto purchase (discounting the dodge K-car I got from my girlfriend), and it's great. I've never really worked on cars before, but I'm learning fast.

here's my ???

When i use the brakes the truck veers to the left. it's not so bad when the truck's pretty cold, but as the trip goes on, the veer can be pretty scary.
anyone know what this is caused by? I asked a mechanic in Chicago who said you need to have a special tool for these brakes (its got drums on all four wheels)

[johnnymopar]

i don't know what special tools that mechanic was talking about, although there are tools for removing and installing shoe springs and retainers. Drums are not very complicated, and older vehicles are much easier to work on as the technology was so much simpler back then, so only basic hand tools and wrenches are required.

I don't know why your truck would veer after warming up, that seems strange. I was thinking it might be a stuck wheel cylinder which would cause only one side to brake, causing a veer. Either that or your alignment is way off, although this would have nothing to do with temperature.

I would pull off the drums and just have a look in there and check out the condition of your brake parts. If you are uncomfortable working on things like this then make sure that you get some help. The brakes are the last thing you want to not work properly on a vehicle.

JB

[Jim Weeks]

I agree with johnnymopar. Most of the time this is caused by out of adjustment shoes, sticking wheel cylinder, or a partially colapsed flex hose on the front of the car.

Jack the front of the car up on jack stands. Have a friend push the brake pedal down with medium pressure. Go to the the front of the car and try to turn the drivers side wheel then the passenger side wheel. The resistance should be about the same. If it is not the brake shoes are out of adjustment. You really can't detect internal problems by looking at a flex hose or wheel cylinder. These items are relatively cheap and it would be best to replace them.

If you are not confident with this, it would be best to let the professional do it, or sign up for a mechanics class and have your instructor supervise the work that you do. Thats the way I learned it.

[mshellw]

Thanks for the advice! I'll do a basic check onit this weekend. All of a sudden I don't feel so alone with my problems.

[dmorris1200]

Nine times out of ten a 'pull' when braking is a hydrolic problem. Your shoes could be out of adjustment causing a pull but since it gets worse with heat build-up I would replace the front brake hoses and wheel cylinders. Hoses that are weak can collapse internally when hot and wheel cylinder seals can swell and stick. It's worth the piece of mind to change them.

Actually considering it's age you may just want to overhaul her all the way around, unless the rears look fairly new. Brakes are one of those 'better safe than sorry' deals.

[ August 02, 2002: Message edited by: dmorris1200 ]</p>

[helrazr3]

i just had the same problem on my 66 chevy. they would thunk when you hit them hard and would pull hard to the right, it was the front flex hoses, as soon as i put on new ones it went away.
as said above make sure you get help if you need it good luck .

[huffed6]

check to make shure a brake line isnt against exaust manifolds or pipes causing fluid to boil in line which can also cause that problem