Brake dust-Brake bias

Turk · #1 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 07:32 AM

Bob,
Under normal driving conditions I notice hardly any brake dust on frnot wheels, but quite a bit on the rear wheels.

Am I correct in thinking that the rear brakes are doing most of the work, or are different brake pads used in the rear.
Most cars I have owned would show brake dust mostly on the front wheels.

How would I go about adjusting the bias which obviously is favoring the rears, or will the fix require replkacing the pads in the rear?

TURK

xlr8or · #2 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 08:10 AM

Turk,
Maybe your rear calipers are dragging a little or just getting hotter and causing more wear??

ERA535 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 08:17 AM

The "hand" test does not indicate that Turks rear brakes are dragging.

Bob Putnam · #4 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 08:39 AM

Turk,

Dust is mostly a function of pad material and air flow.

You're getting "dust" on the rear wheels? With inboard rotors, that's probably not the case. My guess is that it's exhaust soot. Ya runnin' a bit rich?

Turk · #5 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 08:45 AM

I don't have Inboard brakes.
I am not running rich. I used to be rich, but no longer. You guys took most of my money.

TURK

Seriously, shouldn't I be getting brake dust in the fronts rather than in the rear?

ERA535 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 08:48 AM

Bob,

The color of the dust on Turks rear wheels is consistent with brake pad material.

Pat Buckley

John McMahon · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 10:24 AM

Quote:

I am not running rich. I used to be rich, but no longer. You guys took most of my money.

Priceless! Turk, I'm going home to change my pants. I think I wet 'em.

That was too funny!!!!

CCX33911 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 12:52 PM

You could check the brake bias by doing a full stop and seeing which end locks first. If you have a hard time feeling it you could have a friend stand road side and observe which wheels lock first.

Do you have a method to adjust bias (e.g. balance bar or proportioning valve)?

grumpy · #9 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 12:58 PM

Check out the lock up sequence on a nice sandy road, side street, or smooth mowed grassy area.

Grumpy

wilf leek · #10 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 02:45 PM

Turk - most likely airflow is the reason. Looks like that airflow is keeping the dust off the front wheels, but plastering it all over the rear.
Now if you had only stuck with the inboard discs on the back end you wouldn't have this problem, would you?

As to whether it means you have a brake bias problem, I doubt that in itself it does. Which end locks up first if you stomp on the pedal?
Our Single Vehicle Approval tests here, which we need to pass to get a car registered, insist that the fronts lock first, and you have to lock off any brake bias adjustment to ensure that this happens.

There are also some "performance" disc pads one can purchase in the UK which go by the name of EBC - green stuff, red stuff, silly names for different grades of pad. However, the reason I mention them is that a friend of mine who put the green stuff pads on his front noticed that no brake dust accumulated on his front wheels after that (it did before) - something to do with the composition of these pads.
Gosh - is this a first? My first serious response to a post of yours? Gotta be a record.

Tom T. · #11 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 02:50 PM

Turk,

If it stops okay, just hose 'em off more often!

Yer nontechnical amigo,

TT

Tony Ripepi · #12 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 03:03 PM

Hello Tom T.

Long time no see....You crack me up, I would love to attend a trial when you are on your feet, in a litigation, just to see you in action.

Turk....I like Tom's suggestion...I endorse the attitude that says drive em when you want, fix em when have to and don't spend too much time in the analysis along the way.

Depend on the quality you or the people you trusted to build it right, put into the car from the beginning.

Tony R.

Turk · #13 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 03:47 PM

Tony
The quality of the people who built the car is impeccable. I am not so sure about the owner/driver.

Tom T.
Surprised to hear someone from Marin suggest I use more water than I am entitled to. Some enviromentalist you are.

Wilf
Sickening, isn't it?

Thanks for the input.

grumpy
That is exactly what I plan on doing. Thanks.

TURK

Bob Putnam · #14 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 03:59 PM

Turk,

We gave you the outboard setup? We've been doing that rear that long. I am getting old(er).

Unfortunately, my advice still holds. Try another pad set or wash 'em more often. Don't be like me and hope for rain to keep your car clean.

Tom T. · #15 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 04:04 PM

Tony,

Did you hear I bought a Z06? Took it to breakfast a few weeks ago. Nobody hit me, so I got off lightly.

Turk,

Living in Novato, we're not in the same water district as the rest of the county. We've always got plenty. Spray it if ya got it!

TT

Turk · #16 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 04:19 PM

I am the one working at a Chevy Dealership, what is with you guys and the ZO6's. There is finally a Black one sitting here on the showroom, do NOT tempt me.!!

What am I gonna do with all those buttons, and switches? Heat and Air? What will they think of next?

TURK

Tony Ripepi · #17 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 05:03 PM

Hi Turk,

No Corvette in my garage since I sold off my 63 SWC in 1989.....I got an offer I could not refuse.

Still just the two Cobras....One running and the other getting it's stroker motor finished. I do plan to sell both of them at some unplanned/unplanned time in the future.

Going to turn them into one Cobra.......In the fullness of time.

Good to hear from you,

Tony R.

Specialk · #18 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 06:48 PM

Thats why ERA535 is sooo much faster, You have your parking brake on!!

You should try and get that Z06 out tomorrow

a427sc · #19 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 07:09 PM

Turk

You seem to be a guy who like to have fun. And since you have an FE, like I do, here's a fun way to check out your brakes.

1. Find a long open stretch of road.
2. Get going about 80+/- MPH (not to hard yet, eh? Now it gets interesting.
3. Stand on the brakes, but do so smoothly and quickly and HARD, do not just stomp them on.

Results: If you go straight ( mostly) then the fronts are locking first.
If you find yourself suddenly looking back at where you came from, then the rears are locking first.

Fun stuff, eh?

McFEZ

Oh, by the way, if the car strarts to shudder when you drive away, don't worry. You just need to spin out the flat spots.

Tony Ripepi · #20 (**permalink**) 06-07-2002, 09:16 AM

Hey Special K,

I was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago and cruised the entire facility with Gary Patterson. He was loading a truck with several cars the polished Aluminum car, a blue FIA and Senator Johannsens car for delivery were among them. My wife and I walked into the truck to look at the cars.

Gary said the cars were going to Knotts but, I never saw them there....What happened.

Sorry I didn't ask if you were there when I was, I would have liked to meet you. I am seriously considering the CSX4000 w/aluminum body to replace the cars I have now.

Tony R.