Brake upgrade problem

[multishowner]

I have been considering the bias plugs, but they are mainly directed toward the rears... So, all things considered, the fronts should still lock up under panic braking... Mine don't... The brakes are nearly red hot if I try to get the ABS to kick in, but the ABS never kicks in... I just replaced a section of rusted through brake line, so the brakes have been totally bled...

I am thinking it MUST be the pads... So what do I use to get the max performance?

Thanks all!!

 

[dmjarosz]

I used Hawk HP+ pads and the track and ran them on the road for a little while.. They have AMAZING stopping power and I cant get them to fade. On the downside, they are a bit noisy (squealing) and they dust like theres no tomarrow. You could go with the Hawk HPS pads which I think are meant for road use.

 

[naval-avi8or]

I have been considering the bias plugs, but they are mainly directed toward the rears... So, all things considered, the fronts should still lock up under panic braking... Mine don't... The brakes are nearly red hot if I try to get the ABS to kick in, but the ABS never kicks in... I just replaced a section of rusted through brake line, so the brakes have been totally bled...

I am thinking it MUST be the pads... So what do I use to get the max performance?

Thanks all!!

Some one correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the bias plugs will help you with what your trying to do. I thought the bias plugs are for the rear and allow you to get more breaking (possibly lock up) in the rear by working around the porportioning valve.

The only way you will be able to lock up you brakes is to deactivate/bypass the ABS. If your breaking on a surface that is offering you good traction you shouldn't be able to panic lock up the system any way. ABS was designed for less than optimum bracking due to poor traction surfaces (ie wet/snow/sand or dirt etc.) on roadway. The system also looks for diffrences in wheel speed and if you could lock up all four wheels at the same time would probably not activate.

 

[multishowner]

Excellent... Thanks much for the input... I am running metal masters on my 540i/6, but have heard great things about Hawk... I will go with the HPS pads if they are not so race oriented... This is the little lady's toy, so it just needs to stop as fast as possible when she needs it to, but not be track ready!

Thanks again!!

 

[multishowner]

Some one correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the bias plugs will help you with what your trying to do. I thought the bias plugs are for the rear and allow you to get more breaking (possibly lock up) in the rear by working around the porportioning valve.

The only way you will be able to lock up you brakes is to deactivate/bypass the ABS.

True, the only true way to lock up the wheels is to deactivate the ABS, but I can't even get the ABS to kick in, so the wheels aren't even getting to the "lock-up" stage...

I am trying to get the front to engage the ABS, but it won't... So, it sounds like the pads aren't clamping down on the rotors like they should...

 

[SHOZ123]

You should definately be able to kick in the ABS. I could do it with the OEM pads and on road race rubber.

If you can't then the pads are glazed or just not up to it. Maybe the pins aren't sliding freely.

 

[multishowner]

You should definately be able to kick in the ABS. I could do it with the OEM pads and on road race rubber.

If you can't then the pads are glazed or just not up to it. Maybe the pins aren't sliding freely.

That is what I am thinking... I am going to get the Hawk HPS pads... that should fix the problem...

I just had to the calipers off when I replaced the TC seal and TC, everything is moving freely... I even checked the caliper pistons, and they are bind free...

 

[multishowner]

I just want to take a minute and thank everyone on this great forum as you all have helped me out with my 98 SHO more than you can imagine. I will be on my way to Kuwait in double digit hours, and will have to put all my SHO playing on hold for a while... I will have a buddy put on the pads for me, unless there is someone out there willing to drop by and help the little lady install them...

Thanks again fellow SHO nuts!!

 

[SHOZ123]

Good luck.

The forums and email list for the SHO are not necessarily unique but the helpfulness on them is. I guess we all realize we are in the same boat.....

Be sure to vote in my '98 poll in the V8 Discussion forum before you leave.