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Alrighty i was out 4wheeling a bit today and ran into a few problems. First one is the truck wanders to the driver side, i figure its alignment but im including this info for the real problem(jncase they are related). When i use the brakes at about 1/2pedal i hear a thunk and the truck drages to the passenger side. Then when i release the brakes i hear another thunk and all is back to normal. I checked it out and there dosnt apear to de any external damage and the brake reseviours are full and theres no kinks in the line. Is the piston just dirty and binding up? I was draging it through some good sized ruts. Thanks guys.

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

Sounds like the driver's side front brake is dragging. That would make it pull to that side when driving, then pull to the other when braking. The rotor gets hot from the constant dragging and because of the heat that brake no longer works as well when you do step down on the pedal. Its like brake fade from over using the brakes on a steep downhill, the hotter they get the worse they work, only this is all on one side. I bet if you got out and grabbed the hub after driving a ways like this you'd get a pretty nasty burn. (Been there, done that )

As for the exact cause, I'm not sure. It could be the piston in the caliper getting sticky for one. Once they start to overheat, the brake fluid expands and multiplies the problem. The other possibility is something wrong with the caliper slides. With the clunk you are hearing, that sorta makes sense. Could be one of the slides came out, hence the clunk. It could also just be grunge on them causing things to bind and the clunk is just a symptom.

When my 79 did this it was the caliper piston binding. The pulling to one side then the other when braking was the same, but I don't recall a clunk. In any case, pull the wheel off and look that caliper over, pull it off even if you've got the time. If it were me I'd scope for missing/damaged caliper or the sliders, if all looked well then I'd just buy the rebuild kit and try that. I'd probably also repack the wheel bearing on that side, all that heat can drive the grease out in a hurry.

im realy shure the clunk is coming from the pass side. Does this change things at all. Im kinda screwed becouse i have to drive back acrost the state and i dont have a torque wrench so i dont whant to get into tearing things down. That and i just have a highlift jack and a dirt parking lot to work whith...

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

i agree with 800xl, sounds like brakes, it could be a brake line also. not sure about the clunk. if you can get some jack stands, get all 4 wheels off the ground and put stands under it. put it in 4 wheel drive and try out the brakes with that wheel off. get someone to look while you are braking and see if anything happens out of the ordinary.

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1980 chevy luv 4x4 1.8 liter
1979 luv long bed parts truck
1984 2wd isuzu pup parts truck

"A man who says it can't be done shouldn't interrupt a man doing it."

the more i think about it the more i think it could be a wheel bearing. it could be coming apart or just loose. that would explain the clunk, wandering to that side. and when you try to brake the rotor would be wobleing and cause the brakes to not work on that side thus making it pull to the other side when braking. jack the truck up and give the wheel a good shake to see if its loose.

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1980 chevy luv 4x4 1.8 liter
1979 luv long bed parts truck
1984 2wd isuzu pup parts truck

"A man who says it can't be done shouldn't interrupt a man doing it."

well found the problem. The pitman arm on the pass. side came loose. So theres about 1-2" of play in the tie rods
Oh well probly a run up to my 78 for a pitman arm

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

have you tried to bleed the brakes?

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I said no to drugs....But they just wouldn't listen!

No matter how good she looks, some other guy is sick and tired of putting up with her crap!

its in the pass side steering arm so the brakes are all good. Les Schwab free inspections are cool

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...