Brakes
12/26/06, 03:01 PM
#1
Legacy TMS Member
Thread Starter
Brakes
Thinking of my next mod. Brakes?!?!? I'm reading that our brakes are not that bad. What about just changing Fluid and pads. what brand? Do I need to change rotors, both front and rear?? What would I need drilled and/or slotted or something esle. I'm not looking at the big bucks kits. Trying to stay under $600 or less.
12/26/06, 05:24 PM
#6
12/27/06, 10:54 AM
#8
Team Mustang Source
How do new pads decrease braking distance? Under full out braking, the tires are the weak point, correct? You can only stop as fast as the tires are able to grip and tha ABS is able to get you stopped...so I don't see how new pads will yield a safety upgrade. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.
12/29/06, 12:35 PM
#10
Team Mustang Source
Not really, as long as the brake pads and rotors work well enough to lock up the tires, the ABS will function. Once the ABS is engaged, brake pads really will not have much effect on stopping distance. It keeps the tires from locking up and skidding. Basically, when the system detects wheel lockup, it releases some pressure from that caliper, letting the tire regain traction, then applies pressure again...and so on, until you get stopped. That is why the brake pedal "vibrates" when the ABS system functions, it releases and engages many times a second for each wheel.
Think of it this way...If you have wooden wheels, the best brake pads and biggest rotors in the world will not help you stop any faster than small brakes/rotors. The wooden wheels will just slip and slide. The main benefit of bigger/better brake system is repeated hard stops, they will be less prone to fade. When the brakes get very very hot, as in after several hard stops in quick succession, they do not work very well.
Actually, ABS can sometimes INCREASE braking distance on dry level pavement. Threshold Braking, done properly, (keeping the brake pressure just barely below full lockup by using the pedal to modulate the brakes rather than ABS) is the FASTEST way to stop in dry conditions. ABS is mainly benificial in the wet/slippery conditions. It keeps the wheels from lockup, allowing you to maneuver somewhat while braking in either wet or dry conditions.
Moral of the story...Tires and suspension have MUCH more to do with stopping distance than brake pads/rotors. (trust me, my Seargent agrees who is a trained Accident Reconstruction Expert for our P.D.)
Think of it this way...If you have wooden wheels, the best brake pads and biggest rotors in the world will not help you stop any faster than small brakes/rotors. The wooden wheels will just slip and slide. The main benefit of bigger/better brake system is repeated hard stops, they will be less prone to fade. When the brakes get very very hot, as in after several hard stops in quick succession, they do not work very well.
Actually, ABS can sometimes INCREASE braking distance on dry level pavement. Threshold Braking, done properly, (keeping the brake pressure just barely below full lockup by using the pedal to modulate the brakes rather than ABS) is the FASTEST way to stop in dry conditions. ABS is mainly benificial in the wet/slippery conditions. It keeps the wheels from lockup, allowing you to maneuver somewhat while braking in either wet or dry conditions.
Moral of the story...Tires and suspension have MUCH more to do with stopping distance than brake pads/rotors. (trust me, my Seargent agrees who is a trained Accident Reconstruction Expert for our P.D.)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tj@steeda
2015 - 2023 MUSTANG
0
9/8/15 10:45 AM