So the PO had the left torsion bar cranked up. I cranked it back down. Now 95 4Runner sits level. Used to pull to left pretty good when braking. Alignment and new front brakes (pads, calipers, hoses) took care of 90% of that.

Also pulls to the RIGHT when braking while going backwards.

Disassembled idler arm and bushings are OK.

Think I should look at steering linkage or control arm bushings next? How does one check those?

Thanks

 

How are your ball joints?

 

how hard does it pull? how hard do you have to brake for it to pull? im assuming you made sure your calipers are working properly when you did the front brakes since you put new hoses on. hmm im stopped right now but im just going to bed so im tying not to think very hard, worst case in my head right now is bent frame or some attachment points are bent. maybe find the fsm online if you dont have one and check some frame dimensions to make sure everything's still square.

or i could be horribly wrong, hopefully i am good luck.

 

Some of the random replies that flashed through my warped brain:

"I prefer not to discuss those with a stranger"

"That's pretty personal don't you think?"

"Hey! Slow down sailor. Aren't you going to buy me dinner first?"

"Uh. My balls don't have joints. Do yours? Was that some kind of nuclear accident?"

"Your balls have joints? I'd like to see...an x-ray of that...maybe"

I'll check them. I have been trying to zero in on the worn suspension bit probably causing this. Pitman arm good. Idler arm, good. Control arm bits, good. Looking at ball joints and CA bushings in order.

Yes, my guess is something rubber has worn out. I have worn out rubbers!

 

how about your rear axle... is it lined up correctly? i had a bend on my left side rear axle lower control arm is it made the vehicle crab walk, but at a very small amount. so when i hit the brakes it tends to pull to the left.

had the control arm replaced... now when i brake, i can let go of the steering wheel and still go straight.

 

Replaced both upper ball joints and that seems to have cured the pull to the left when braking. The right one was really shot and was where I had heard and felt some faint clunking/knocking.

My 8 and 10 year old sons have had a great time telling all their friends that dad has a "problem with his ball joints"! Smart-alecks...