Mike,
As someone from a state that doesn't require this kind of headache yet
(knock on wood), I have never run across this type of situation. I
understand what they are trying to test is the equalization of brake force
applied to the two rear wheels. I just don't quite understand the system
they are using to gauge it, and what these percentages represent. It seems
if one wheel is doing all the stopping, that would be 100% and the other
0%. Where does 156% and 91% come into the picture? It has been a long week,
and I may be missing the obvious, but could you give a brief explanation of
how this system works?
Mike Ellsworth
71 Midget
----------
> From: MICHAEL J ROBSON <miker15@juno.com>
> To: dr-doug@msn.com
> Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: safety inpections - part whatever.
> Date: Friday, February 21, 1997 7:13 PM
>
>
> On Thu, 20 Feb 97 13:07:51 UT "doug russell" <dr-doug@msn.com> writes:
> >As the front brakes absorb most of the energy in a stop you may not
> >notice a free wheeling - albeit, nonfunctional rear brake. Try driving
> in reverse and
> >brake with conviction - does the car still stop straight or appear to
> >pull??
> >If no, consider the possibility that the inspector was a knucklehead
> >and his equipment a bit off. Also, consider a bleed - an air block
> could
> >cause the nonfunctional rear brake. Beyond this I'd be guessing!
> >
> >Dr. Doug
> >69 C Rdst
> >69 C GT
> >69 B Rdst
> >70 B GT
>
> I think we've narrowed it down to being either the cylinder or a bleed
> problem, well, the cylinder is on order and if that doesnt work then on
> to the bleed and. . . .
> BTW - the braking equipment at the test stations is so sophisticated, i
> fear a malfunction is highly unlikely it pinpoints performance to within
> 1% and as you all know, adjusting brakes with a 1/4" spanner it is hard
> to get within this sort of tolerance!! (how DOES one adjust brakes on a
> modern car?????)
> Whilst waiting for this, i thought id move on to the GT - it has to go
> throught the same procedure (makes me wonder why i decided to go "legal"
> after all...!)
> Since getting the car in December I have had the steering overhauled,
> changed all the bulbs, cleaned up all the electrics, rebound the wiring
> and reundercoated the bits that needed it and generally made sure the
> beast is ready.
> No surprises, though - it failed! - same problem of "balancing" rear
> brakes but both are functioning so it really is just an adjustment (one
> is 91% - good, the other is 156% - bad, go figure!) however we had two
> other little gems to fail on too! -
> 1) A headlamp ring fell off on the way there (ok - i shouldve checked)
> 2) the drivers door mirror is a little loose (emphasis on little, it
> doesnt shake or anything)
>
> Everything else passed though so actually i came away rather pleased! - i
> figure theyll both actually be legal by the end of next week provided
> theres a little luck on the brake balancing (there is NO way to pre-test
> this - and the failure reports dont actually tell you what it needs -
> only that it needs something!) - Its funny but the 69 which has been
> legal all along is now the only one not ready for spring- but gotta
> bitta time yet........
>
> mike robson
> 69 roadster
> 70 BGT
> 72roadster
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