VTJeep

my breaks are funky as hell right now. if i havent used them in a few miles, ill push down normally and they will grab hard, and pull to one side, usually to the left. i know that the rear breaks on these can be kinda grabby is they are wet, but whats with the pulling? i know my front end needs a little work; the tie rod is a little pushed towards the axle, and my pass side lower control arm is "peeling" back at the eyelet, but i dont think there is enough damage to cause play. if i ride breaks for a few seconds, they pull very even...

OttawaXJ

Fix those problems first. Its difficult to trouble shoot when theres a dozen other problems with it.

Gee oh Dee

Sounds like your caliper sliders need lube.

The pads can get grabby on corroded rotors if they sit for a day or so. Surface rust will develp really quickly believe it or not.

This happens all the time to me. I've got 3 trucks and a motorcycle, and anytime I wake up a sleeping beast, the brakes seem real touchy and grabby for a few brake cycles.

But don't neglect other issues assuming this is your answer. Always keep up with repairs.

Spoonman

Pulling to one side while brakes are used is usually associated with a sticking caliper, but as OttawaXJ said it could also be due to the worn steering and suspension parts.
If a tie rod end is bad it is important for your safety to change it as that is all that is keeping your wheels going strait while you're cruising down the highway.

TrekkerJmm

X2 on the stuck caliper. Jack up each front tire and see if the caliper is sticking...Tj

VTJeep

haha. dozens really does describe the amount of little things that are weird/need fixin on this thing. i think its goin in tomorrow for new lower control arms... as for a new tie rod... they are in the 30-50 dollar range, right?
as for going straight, it does, but thats not to say there isnt potential damage down there.

Spoonman

All I meant by the going strait comment is if you have a bad tie rod and it pops while you are driving you're going to be looking at a lot more than the cost of a new tie rod. A quick search using my jeep year at napa shows 21.99 for a tie rod end, youll need an alignment also after replacement.

VTJeep

all good! i completely agree that knowing what is going on with the steering components is crucial. i had a bad sub-frame on one of my cars and it was wicked sketchy to drive... i was doing like 40 everywhere and pretending like the corners were made of ice... the upside, 40mpgs... i dont even get half that now... but thats besides the point. i wouldnt care if i got 1/4 of the gas mileage... i love my jeep, and i wanna do whats right for it, so when its in tomorrow, it sounds like new lowers and a tie rod a re in order.