Arch,
About a week ago, someone posted a site(I believe it was about a Pontiac
Fiero) with info about tweaking spring rates in GM combi valves. Seems that
the owner at this site decided that that GM took the conservative approach
and that the rears would always lock-up way before the fronts. Now, I'm not
saying that you should go tinkering with the combi valve, but it's food for
thought.
A few other things to keep in mind. One of the virtues of disc brakes is
that they're harder to lock up than drum units(which is why drum brakes make
better parking brakes). Best braking is achieved just before lock-up(thus
the reasoning for ABS systems) - once the tire starts sliding, friction is
reduced by the off-gassing of burning rubber and you're no longer driving -
just another passenger along for the ride. You want the rears to always
lock before the fronts to ensure that the pointy end stays in front.
My $.02,
Patrick
> Some idiot pulled out of a local boat dock right in
> front of me. Just as he made the turn his trailer came
> off the hitch. Needless to say I made the brown shorts
> plunge on the brake pedal. All four rear wheels locked up.
> The fronts did not.
About a week ago, someone posted a site(I believe it was about a Pontiac
Fiero) with info about tweaking spring rates in GM combi valves. Seems that
the owner at this site decided that that GM took the conservative approach
and that the rears would always lock-up way before the fronts. Now, I'm not
saying that you should go tinkering with the combi valve, but it's food for
thought.
A few other things to keep in mind. One of the virtues of disc brakes is
that they're harder to lock up than drum units(which is why drum brakes make
better parking brakes). Best braking is achieved just before lock-up(thus
the reasoning for ABS systems) - once the tire starts sliding, friction is
reduced by the off-gassing of burning rubber and you're no longer driving -
just another passenger along for the ride. You want the rears to always
lock before the fronts to ensure that the pointy end stays in front.
My $.02,
Patrick
> Some idiot pulled out of a local boat dock right in
> front of me. Just as he made the turn his trailer came
> off the hitch. Needless to say I made the brown shorts
> plunge on the brake pedal. All four rear wheels locked up.
> The fronts did not.
