Uneven Braking

james · Post by **james** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:33 pm

Chaps

Ever since taking ownership of my S2 I've always noticed the front left wheel will lock under heavy braking (or not so heavy in the cold and the wet.) This means that the overall braking is less effective than it should be.

At the MOT a month or so ago, they noticed the balance not being even but it was just within limits.

I've had new pads fitted (a while ago) it didnt seem to cure it. Other than checking the calipers (which cant really go wrong) what else should I check?

The car is due a visit to Dans soon and if theres anything to do, now would be a good time to find out.

I managed to lock one wheel up again at a junction this morning - in the dry - just because of the pedestrian jumping out at me, any other car wouldnt have locked a wheel - ABS or no ABS.

Any suggestions?

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:35 pm

my front left locks just before the right. I assumed it was due to weight distribution due to the driver.

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:38 pm

Mandy's does too. Corner weights will probably be to blame as previously said. I had the car down at the factory to be checked out for that very issue.

Geo was re-set which helped a little but it just required modulation of the brake pedal.

Mac

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:11 pm

Yes corner weights will have a big influence on which locks first but will have zero effect on an MOT testing machine

You could easily have a stuck piston in a calliper

james · Post by **james** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:23 pm

thinfourth wrote:Yes corner weights will have a big influence on which locks first but will have zero effect on an MOT testing machine

You could easily have a stuck piston in a calliper

So should I remove the caliper and press it fully together (before it pops out obviously) and then back a few times? (using a piston expansion tool)??? or would it need replaced?

I still have a short time left on the warranty

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:34 pm

I used to find on my old tyres and brakes that the front left locked more easily too, but since fitting the AD07's and new disks and pads, I only recall it locking up once, and that was under hard breaking on an uneven, damp surface aproaching a tight bend with a coach coming towards me, on the Dukes Pass

What tyres are you on James?

How worn are they?

james · Post by **james** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:01 pm

Standard Bridgestones, say "half" worn - loadsa tread still there.
Getting the geo done soon so maybe that will help.

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:17 pm

They are on different circuits are they not?... ie, diagonal wheels on the same circuit... so, did the MOT also pick up that the right rear was applying more pressure than the left? Just a thought in case of an inbalance between the break circuits...

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:27 pm

Elise has a front/rear split instead of the more common diagonal split.

Mac