Car pulls left under braking

[sunbeam_alpine]

As the title says, my Alfa Spider has started pulling hard to the left under braking. Otherwise it runs perfectly straight at all speeds.

So far I've:

Checked tyre pressures - OK - tyres are only 3 months old.

Visual check of brakes - front and rear - disks and pads are OK - plenty of meat left on the pads (have new ones for comparison) and the disks aren't showing abnormal signs of wear.

With the car jacked up I seem to have too much play on the RH front wheel (loose/worn wheel bearing?). If I hold the road wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock I seem to have play. If I hold the wheel at 6 and 12 o'clock I seem to have no play. Surely if the wheel bearing was worn I would have play in all directions? What other components can wear?

There is no play on the LH front wheel.

My idea is that the right front wheel is braking less efficiently because of the play in the wheel.

Grateful for any suggestions/comments.

[Eggman]

Have you ruled out wishbone bushes and track rod ends?

[sunbeam_alpine]

Eggman said:

Have you ruled out wishbone bushes and track rod ends?

Would this also only have an effect under braking?

The car runs perfectly straight at all speeds until you brake.

Sorry if it's a stupid question, but how should I check those bits?

[Eggman]

Could do. I'd try to locate the play visually with an assistant wiggling the wheel, or if that's not practical I'd get in there with a pry bar (or a really big screwdriver) and see what moves. Mske sure you have the car properly supported whilst you're doing all this, btw.

[sunbeam_alpine]

Eggman said:

Could do. I'd try to locate the play visually with an assistant wiggling the wheel, or if that's not practical I'd get in there with a pry bar (or a really big screwdriver) and see what moves. Mske sure you have the car properly supported whilst you're doing all this, btw.

I've tried this - with the wheel off, I can't get enough purchase to produce any play. With the wheel on, I can't see enough.

[Eggman]

OK, then try prying at the pivoty ends of the lower wishbone with a big screwdriver (that means one that's at least a foot long) and see if there's any movement. You could also try wiggling the upper wishbone by hand, but if it's anything like the one on my Alfa you'll hardly be able to get at it. You'd hear that clonking over bumps if it was knackered, though.

If you can get right underneath the car by putting it on ramps you could ask an assistant to turn the steering wheel to and fro whilst you watch the track rod end with the aid of a bright torch. If you don't have ramps, putting one side up on a big kerb might get the car high enough for you to wriggle underneath.