no guessing pls, brakes

adrian jaye · 10-27-2003, 11:54 PM

well "16" got through the MOT, however not a fail the front brakes showed uneven braking drivers side was 320 passenger side was 240.

Now my last check showed that the pads were low (not dead !)
I've bled the brakes, but sometimes more so at speed, there is a twitchiness when braking, when I slam on the brakes again even more so,

any ideas ?

rear brakes are blanced fine

cheers

adrian jaye · 10-28-2003, 12:47 AM

nope,

would that cause uneven braking effiency

Wolf1 · 10-28-2003, 05:21 AM

It is possible that the front rotors are slightly warped, this will cause braking problems as well as "twitchiness" at speed when braking. Apply the brakes at speed and hold the steering wheel very lightly, does it seem to wiggle back and forth?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Wow! An equipment test that checks braking forces!

How socialist! Anything to grab more money from the masses.

Oh yes, as you have requested I'm not going to guess.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

You stated that the "pads were low" where they also "uneven?" If you have a sticking, or sometimes called a dragging caliper on one side of the car, it will cause uneven braking.

mike944 · 10-28-2003, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal Driver
Wow! An equipment test that checks braking forces!

How socialist! Anything to grab more money from the masses.

They used to have that same equipment at the DMV in connecticut, that was before they stopped doing safety inspections 2 or 3 years ago. If your braking force was uneven from side to side, they would fail you. I think it' good to test that, i bought a used truck once with 1 siezed caliper. when i was driving it home, i had to make a quick stop, and the uneven braking sent it into a skid. Fortunately i didn't hit anything. it scared me so much, I fixed it the next day. I never would have known the problem until i either had it tested, or had to come to an emergency stop. talk about dangerous!!!

Adrian,

You might have a partially siezed caliper, your best bet would be to replace them both, but you can try replacing only thew one with the low braking force. Another possibility: did someone replace 1 front rotor and not replace the other? that also causes uneven braking, as the friction coefficient would be different for a new VS used rotor. General rule: Always replace brake parts in pairs.

Mike

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by mike944
They used to have that same equipment at the DMV in connecticut, that was before they stopped doing safety inspections 2 or 3 years ago. If your braking force was uneven from side to side, they would fail you. I think it' good to test that, i bought a used truck once with 1 siezed caliper. when i was driving it home, i had to make a quick stop, and the uneven braking sent it into a skid. Fortunately i didn't hit anything. it scared me so much, I fixed it the next day. I never would have known the problem until i either had it tested, or had to come to an emergency stop. talk about dangerous!!!

Mike

So you place the responsibility for your poor purchase in the hands of the state?

ae1969 · 10-28-2003, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal Driver
So you place the responsibility for your poor purchase in the hands of the state?

hehehe.... I think that DMV would of saved us from Mike944's poor purchase if they would of tested him.

ae1969 · 10-28-2003, 07:37 AM

adrian:

Check in this order...

1. bearings as was mentioned
2. rotor warp (if any rotors have been turned before I would bet this is the problem)
3. same pads on both sides?
4. caliper not functioning properly.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

I question an equipment inspection that does not catch a loose wheel bearing. So if it is discovered that one of the front wheels is loose, i.e.; bearings, ball joint, tie rod, bushings, and this is allowing the differential in braking, then there is not much to be said about equipment inspections.

Then the forced inspections could just be a means for the shop to get more business.

I do not deny that a comprehensive vehicle inspection program is a good idea. I find it ironic that Connecticut with less than 4 million has a stringent inspection while California at close to 36 million just looks at emissions.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Sorry Adrian, part of the prior was directed at Mike. Still I would question your countries inspection practices if the repairs are performed by the same shop that inspects the car.

adrian jaye · 10-28-2003, 09:57 AM

Hey all,

ok,
The brake test is part of the MOT, the place I use is reputable and ALWAYS give true/good advice. (they allowe me to fix the hazzord light, before passing me, they could have failed me !)

bearings, as part of the test they check bearings, again, I watched and they spun the wheels and did the 2.45 and 6.00 wiggle.

rotors MAN THERE DISCS

main dealer has looked after the car for most its life, last 3 years I have got main dealer work. I'm sure they replace the Rotors 12k ago, cant remember if it was front or rear, again I think they also did the pads.

I'vechecked the rotors, (when bleeding the brakes) and there does not seem to be any bind or glazing, on BOTH sets of pads, I think, the innner ones are more worn than the outer ones.

Again, there legal and plenty of material, when compared to the back they are lower.

the only think I have noticed, is that there is a "lip" on both front rotors, again only a "slight" lip.

calipers, both OEM parts not messed with and oly replaced as a pair

okdokey

suggestions ?

mike944 · 10-28-2003, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal Driver
So you place the responsibility for your poor purchase in the hands of the state?

No. It was just a ratty old pickup truck, i found the problem while i was driving it home from the guy i bought it from, and fixed it right away. I always fix safety issues immediately when i find them !

There are plenty of people who probably would not fix anything unless they were required to. I was just saying that i think it's good that somebody checks stuff like that. I was just providing a personal experience of what uneven braking can do to a vehicle.

Mike

Wolf1 · 10-28-2003, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adrian jaye

I've bled the brakes, but sometimes more so at speed, there is a twitchiness when braking, when I slam on the brakes again even more so,

Remember the twitchiness from the first post, most likely caused by a warped rotor. Or if the rotor is straight there could be hot spots causing this twitchiness. Don't over analyze the problem, fix the obvious first..