i took my xj into the shop at school a few days ago because my jeep is pulling and i thought maybe the alignment went off from mudding but everything was within spec... besides the thrust angle. it was at .18 degrees to the right. idk if this is causing the pull because my left brake caliper sort of seized up on me and after i let it sit and cool off it kind of went away but maybe its still dragging. but what can be causing my bad thrust angle? worn parts? something i can do to the rear axle?

 

You need to check that side brake set up.

 

x2, you don't want the brake dragging. I just had to put calipers in my old 90. Best I can figure is the rings had swollen over the years causing the piston to not retract. It will defiantly pull with one brake dragging.

 

well my brakes squeak so i took them apart to grease up the piston and i noticed that my left front caliper piston wasnt out as far as the one on the right side. does this mean anything?

 

The distance the piston is out should be determined by the thickness of the rotor and pads. The one dragging is probably wearing away. Even lube specifically marketed for calipers does not say you can put it on the piston/rings. Maybe someone can chime in here. All I saw was a product Honda markets. Brake rubber will swell/melt, dissolve, and turn to mush if you put petroleum products on it. (I Promise!) I don't know what "grease" you used.

Anyway it shouldn't be binding/dragging. I spent the $50 on a new set of calipers. You can buy the rings ect. and spend a bunch of time and maybe get a good result, but to bolt it on and go for $25 isn't a bad deal.

 

A thrust angle off enough to give a pull - accelerating it pulls one way, decelerating it pulls the other way.
Slightly off doesn't pull, but following behind it it looks like it's "crabbing" to the side.

A brake dragging always pulls toward the side of the dragging brake.

 

the lube/grease i used is that graphite or moly stuff, specially made to stop brake squeal. i dont know whats going on with this pull. i know i have a bad tire on the back left side (i think one of the plys broke) and its wearing on the outside. maybe this sort of positive camber is causing it to pull. idk i think im going to change this set of tires first and then see what happens. my next best guess it the calipers. but thanks for all the input guys

 

Jam on the brake good, then jack up a front and give it a good spin. It should free-wheel at least a turn, turn and 1/2 after you let it go. If you have a problem with your Brake caliper dragging you should fix that first.

If tires are making it pull, swapping them side to side will make it pull the other way.

I need to put mine on ramps and have someone turn the wheel a little side to side while I look for wear in my steering components. My school shop got wiped out in that last pesky ice-age.