DeTomaso Mailing List: December 99, Message #457

On Sat, 18 Dec 1999, Mary Taphorn wrote:
> Can anyone with Wilwoods on this list prematurely lock their rear brakes
> with out a proportioning valve on the front side?  What size tires are you
> using if yes?

I'm running the stock MC, no proportioning valve anywhere, 245/45-16 and
335/35-17 R1s with my Wilwoods.  No problems with lockup at either end.  I
do have a heavy front bias though, as I can damn near stand the car on its
nose without the rears locking up.


> If I move my Wilwood adjustable prop valve to the front side, will it only
> assist in the initial stage of braking? As Steve C.points out, "as the line
> is still a continuous flow, it just takes an extra microsecond for the
> system to equalize and the proportioning valve is non functioning after
> that."

I'd like to know the answer to this too.  I'd like to understand how a
proportioning valve works internally.


> Do I need to go to a dual master to get better bias?
> 
> What solutions to this issue are others employing, or are you ignoring it?

A simple way to adjust brake bias is to work with the pads.  You could use
different pad compounds front and rear, and you could even slot the front
pads to reduce their effectiveness.

-Andy
#3822

72 Pantera - Rocky             91 Miata - Steve                 96 A4Q - Rudolf
80 928 - Phantom             87 E350XL - Andylance             84 RZ350 - Sting