Easy to lock front brakes

[adfox]

I was driving our NA6 today and I am still learning how it behaves. I found it was pretty east to lock the drivers front wheel with what seemed like just moderate braking. Is this normal for these cars or should I be checking for seized caliper slides on the other wheels? Any suggestions appreciated.

[Steve 818]

What sort of condition are your front tyres in?

I was able to lock the brakes on my MX after the old tyres went hard. Since I have bought a new set of (much grippier) tyres I don't have that problem any more.

[kitkat]

im also with Steve, maybe you should consider some new tyres... you can have the greatest brakes in the world but it aint gonna matter if your tyres cant grip...

though if they do lock up, dont both wheels lock up together??? maybe you need to bleed the brakes???

and if it was siezed caliper slides i would assume that it would pull to one way when you brake...

[Adam_NAclubman]

Better tyres will help but you'll still lock em up if you jump on the brakes hard. Thin soled shoes help a bit, get very used to lifting your foot off as it locks up

[Slugoid]

Currently running stock NA6 brakes with Galfer pads and fresh fluid and there's rarely a time where I lock my brakes unless I really jump on it hard. Running Eagle F1 GSD3's at the front with lots of tread as well.

As suggested, check tyres first. Lots of people forget that tyres do part of the braking too

[adfox]

Thanks for all the replies. The tyres are potenzas(721?) with a heap of tread on them, but they may have gone hard. I'll have a good look at them today. It locked the right wheel only and I think it has done this to me a few times. It did snap awfully sideways on me too last week with little warning so maybe I should be looking at the tyres. We bought the car last christmas, an '89 with only 72,000km on it, it wasn't dríven much so the tyres could be years old I guess and still have heaps of tread left.

[adfox]

Checked the tyres today, they are Potenza RE711's, see here http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/pro ... /re711.asp
They seem to be in pretty good condition, I don't think they have \"gone off\" yet.

[Steve 818]

They seem to be in pretty good condition, I don't think they have "gone off" yet.

The fact that they lock up so easily might be indicating something different though.

Basically the brakes on a car slow the wheel. The tyres are what slows the car. The fact that you can lock up the front(s) indicates that your brakes are overpowering your tyres. Look at your tyres before you look at the brakes.

[adfox]

I'm no expert but the tyres seem pretty good to me. I've replaced tyres on my skyline before because they had gone hard so have some idea what to look for. I guess I was sus on the brakes because I have read that the slider pins commonly stick on these models if the car is not used regularly. I will do some more investigating. Maybe I'm just not used to the brakes yet! Thanks for all the help.

[StanTheMan]

check thier date of manufacture
it will be on the side wall
if they are over 3yo....I'd be repalcing them

[adfox]

Ok the tyres could well be the problem as you all suggested. Turns out they are over 6 years old! They are in good shape for their age but I suspect grip levels will be well down at 6 years of age. Surprisingly there is no cracking or crazing whatsoever, and they still feel reasonably \"rubbery\". Guess they will need to be replaced soon.

[sirbob]

Try bleeding the brakes/flush the full ystem. If you have more moisture in one line than the other, or more air, or whatever, then you will get unbalanced braking.

My NB has the same issue with the front left, but i think its due to new pads front, old rears thanks to the previous owner. Either way i suspect that when i change the pads and flush the fluid my problems will be solved.

[Juffa]

I guess I was sus on the brakes because I have read that the slider pins commonly stick on these models if the car is not used regularly.

The sticking slider pins tends to be on the rear brakes. Even if replacing the tyres resolves your issues I would be performing preventative maintenance, including greasing the slider pins.

Just my 2.2 cents worth (including GST)

J

[phatMX]

hey adfox, my na6 locks the front right first also, and as you have an 89 i'm assuming its an import?? Mine is an import with potenza g3's, the tires i've had for over a year now and the tread has only gone down due to qld raceway days (they too are 6 years old). Definately change the tires.

[adfox]

No it's an Australian car. Roughly number 400 off the production line apparently. I think I may have some trouble convincing the other driver and owner that we need new tyres when they have so much tread left. He isn't as \"spirited\" with his cornering as I can be