Strange brake problem... low fluid flow to one wheel?

[william]

My 92 TBi shadow has an odd problem with the brakes. The left front wheel is getting very low fluid flow, causing the car to initially pull to the right under hard braking. I started out by replacing the calipers, thinking it was a stuck caliper, but as soon as I went to bleed them I could see that the fluid flow was obstructed somehow. There is no obvious external damage to lines. I haven't yet checked the right rear wheel to see if it is the whole circuit or not. The brake lines are old, and it's unlikely I will be able to remove them without destroying them, so before I go chasing blockages between the wheel and the master cylinder, I thought I'd see if anyone has been through this before.
thanks,
william

[dirtyglhturbo]

rubber brake hoses can collapse internally, restricting flow. i'd throw one on the affected wheel

[looneytuner]

Important NOTE!!!!!
When you replace the flex line, cut it. Rotate the flex line and NOT the hard line. PB Blaster, maybe torch, keep working it loose/tight till it's off. Do not keep turning if it doesn't want to move!
Once the flex line is off, THEN and ONLY then should you try to rotate the fitting on the hard line. Otherwise you will be replacing the hard line when you bend it.

[dirtyglhturbo]

^ good advice. if you do use a hot wrench, becareful. when the rubber burns on the metal part, they blow apart and it sounds like a big ol firecracker.

[55trucker]

As you stated....the lines are old...(possibly the original flex lines?)...I'd personally feel far more confident in the cars braking ability with all new flex lines under the car. I did have this same problem with my right front shortly after purchasing the car and ended up fabricating & replacing ALL the lines under the car seeing as they didn't meet my expectations.

[abstract_72]

I went through something similar with my mini - only reversed problem. There was excessive pressure in the caliper/line clamping down on the rotor constantly. Long story short - I replaced that flex line and it worked fine - I think it was working as a check valve of sorts, letting pressure go to the caliper but not allowing fluid to flow back when pressure was released... AND I broke the fitting on the hard line which sticks out as one of the bigger ordeals I have been though... I replaced that line, then broke the next fitting, until I worked my tired self all the way to the master cylinder -OUCH! ahha