How do I alter the brake balance/bias across my front axle?

[MarkCup]

I've long thought (since new) that it was down to weight, with me being in the car on my own and no passenger, but today I proved otherwise.

I was out two up practising threshold braking; time after time after time (about 6 in all) I braked from *** miles per hour down to a complete stop.

With both windows down (I'm a pauper Cup owner remember, no aircon :rasp: ) I could hear the left tyre howling for mercy with nothing at all, not one squeak from the right.

Road surface was not to blame (recently laid asphalt), nor camber or tyre pressures.

So there is no doubt in my mind that across the front axle there's a definite bias of braking pressure toward the near side.

How can I address that, as if I could get them both doing equal work surely it would be safer and more effective?

Any ideas or suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

 

[benji&eka]

most of the weight is on the o/s driver sits there, the baulk of the engine is offset to that side, the fuel tank & filler is also offset to the o/s so is the spare wheel!
result under heavy braking the n/s wheel locks up first because it has less weight on it pushing it into the tarmac. weight distribution could be would be the first thing to be addressed. remove spare wheel, reposition drivers seat (i know someone who did this with a fiesta and consistantly gained up to a second a lap thereafter on various tracks) ect, ect

 

[edde]

This is why Cup racers are all LHD ballances weight better.

Your calipers were bled weren't they?

 

[benji&eka]

its sounds fucked up but possibly fit an optima battery they weigh nearly double the standard one keep themselves up for ages and of course it sits on the n/s...counterbalence???

 

[benji&eka]

also, increasing brake pressure to the rear would result in reduced front lock up, the clio does sod all braking on the back as standard

 

[MarkCup]

Yes edde.

I'm running new discs (500 miles old and fully bedded in though) and recently bled fresh fluid.

Would slight balance issues really affect it this badly?

It's like I've got ABS on the offside as it's almost impossible to lock it.

Pads move freely in the calipers too so that's not it.

It's not the back I'm worried about - after 84,000 miles I still have the orignal factory fitted pads at the back with about 4-5mm on each one...not a lot goes on back there!

And the front/rear balance is fine in my opinion...I can trail brake without the rear getting too frisky. Wouldn't want anymore at the back to compensate for a badly balanced front.

 

[edde]

Yes edde.

I'm running new discs (500 miles old and fully bedded in though) and recently bled fresh fluid.

Would slight balance issues really affect it this badly?

It's like I've got ABS on the offside as it's almost impossible to lock it.

Pads move freely in the calipers too so that's not it.

Swop the wheels round (left to right if you can) and try agaian then try on the other side of the road if its afe to do so road camber even so slight can make a difference.

 

[BenR]

who brakes in a striaght line anyway to worry about this?

 

[benji&eka]

lol, true

 

[Fred@BTM]

check you're calipers aren't knackered mark

 

[BenR]

yea, mine were, the slides corrode easily.

 

[Fred@BTM]

what on the beemer?

 

[BenR]

no, clios

 

[Fred@BTM]

your valver lived in the ocean half its life

 

[BenR]

your point?

 

[Fred@BTM]

you're like me, too busy looking after everyone elses cars to take care of your own LOL

 

[MarkCup]

LOL

I suppose I've coped so far with no problems...just me being paranoid as it nears retirement I guess.