what would cause my steering wheel to turn when i hit the brakes? It seems that if i give the brakes a little tap, it will jump about a half inch to an inch to one side (usually the right...but not always) and if i use steady braking, the jeep will steadily pull to one side. Any tips? Thanks guys!

 

usually one caliper is seized or seizing so your only braking on one side causing it to pull to that side. Is the road level or worn from heavy trucks? If an inside edge catches a rut it will want to climb it.

 

it almost feels like it pulls to the downward side. i think that's why it seems like it's mostly to the right. but if the road sloped to the left, that's the way it seemed to pull...

 

In the Jeep I seem to notice this on uneven road more than in other vehicles. If I am coming to an intersection that has mild ruts worn into the chip seal where everyone's tires track I frequently feel a pull to one side or the other when coming to a stop.

 

that happened after i put the larger tires on and i just figured the road was carrying it left or right. it does not go one way or another all the time, it's road dependent for me. do you have larger tires on yours?

 

no. mine are stock. i just started noticing it like a week ago. if i drive in a straight line, and continuously tap the brakes..the steering wheel will just keep turning. i've had it turn almost a full 45 degrees before i have had to correct to miss something in teh road...weird.

 

This sounds like a brake caliper or the pins are not floating the way they should. Also, on some GM pickups, I have seen a number of bad brake lines that were stopping the fluid from getting to the calipers and caused a bad pull. Usually on higher mileage vehicles.

First thought is the calipers are sticking. Take to dealer if not sure.

 

Yeh, this sounds a brake issue. I have owned GM trucks that did this too and it was usually the brakes.

 

This could be alignment issues, or even something as simple as air pressure being uneven, or an uneven wear pattern on your tires.

Check your air pressure, rotate your tires and see if that helps.

If not check your toe setting. If that is ok, then I would suspect worn front end parts. Brakes could be an issue too.

Start with the easy stuff I listed. Go fom there.

 

good suggestions. Thanks! a bit of history...alignment should be good. i have done about 6 of them in the last couple months. The tires were recently (within 500 miles) rotated and balanced. air pressure is exactly 35 psi on all 4 (checked that yesterday).

you mention toe setting and worn front end parts.

what's a good toe setting? (stock wheels and tires with a 2" OME lift)

what front end parts would wear and cause that?

i intentionally left out the part that i also have a death wobble. thought i would start with some sypmtom diagnosing first...