In a message dated 10/1/2003 2:39:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
ryoung@navcomtech.com writes:
> Another point worth considering during this topic : brake balance depends on
> a great many variables, some of which are different car to car and some of
> which can even vary from one brake application to the next. Without an
> active proportioning valve, setting the balance is always a compromise.
Agreed. Something as simple as one tire with significantly different pressure
than the others, or one corner with a slightly dragging shoe or pad that might
result in heat-related fade, or one side's wheels on loose gravel on the
shoulder while those on the other side are on concrete or asphalt...
> Also, in general, I believe car makers feel that having the bias towards the
> front wheels locking first is safer. Although you lose directional control,
> the car still tends to stop in a straight line. With the rears locked, it's
> much more apt to spin out.
Agree again. Perhaps this was part of the reasoning behind, for example, Ford's
use of rear-wheel-only ABS systems on first-generation Explorers (and maybe
Rangers and other 4WD trucks; I don't know)?
--Andy Mace, with good old drum brakes on all four corners of the Herald. ;-)
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