I am experiencing a strange problem when braking hard. First noticed it the last nasa autox. When I brake hard, the passanger side front seems to lock-up prematurely. It always releases with out any issue, no vibrating in the steering. Doesn't seem to be a sticking caliper as its been my experience that when they stick they stay stuck until the pad wears enough to not touch, then the next time you brake they tighten down again, causing lots of vibration and drag. The entire brake system is stock 94 dohc vtec del sol, running steet pads and rotors. Any ideas what it could be?

 

Change the brake hoses.

 

Could you be more specific?

 

turn left and brake!

hahaha
..

actually,
my civic used to do that too.... I think it has to do with the weight distribution of the car. The driver and the majority of the engine thus the majority of the weight of the car is on the driver side of the car, putting more weight on that side versus the passenger side, so when you put the brakes on there is less weight on the passenger side and with the same amount of breaking force been applied to each of the front wheels, the passenger side locks up.

This is my untested, but observed theory.

 

Generally when one wheel locks up before the other, or if you get a pull under braking, it is caused by one hose expanding at a different rate than the other one...because they are beginning to deteriorate. Calipers very rarely cause a pull because they are such simple devises, and there is not alot of room for error. If the caliper isn't leaking and it is not rusted into a solid hunk, there's nothing functionally wrong with it. torn boots should obviously be replaced and make sure that the caliper slides freely. Generally hoses are the cause of a pull or lockup condition. The problem isn't that one side is getting too much pressure, its that the other side isn't getting enough.

 

You've probably already checked, but the last time I had a problem like that, my inside pad on one side was nearly on the backing plate. I'd imagine that street pads would give up a little or screach before you got to that point, but if you haven't checked your pads, I'd start there.

- Scott

 

the pass front will tend to lock up first because you are sitting in the drivers side of the car...less weight over the pass side tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BSME &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the pass front will tend to lock up first because you are sitting in the drivers side of the car...less weight over the pass side tire.</TD></TR></TABLE>

trust me, its a LOT less weight in this case.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mach slo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First noticed it the last nasa autox. When I brake hard, the passanger side front seems to lock-up prematurely. ...The entire brake system is stock 94 dohc vtec del sol, running steet pads and rotors. Any ideas what it could be?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Since you have indicated that everything on your braking system seems to be fine, consider this too...

Tires can and do effect your braking system. If your grip on the tires exceed the capacity of your braking system at threashold braking, then there may not be any problems with your brakes, but your tires. This also could be normal... it's stock stuff, that you're asking to do something above and beyond what it would normally do. (OK maybe some of you guys threshold brake on a normal basis, but I'd consider yous idiots)

Another thing to consider is pavement condition. Bumps, on or off camber, etc.

One more thing, are you turning even slightly one way or another when this happens?

Complete balance in a stock braking system may not be possible, but if you'd like more braking "power" consider either rotating your tires (front to back) or upgrading your rubber.

Hope some of this helps.

Good luck and have fun.