Re: rear disk brakes

["Tom Harais" <tjhemh@domain.elided>]

John:

I look forward to your findings.

The standard, as I understand it, has always been for front brakes to lock
first, as this results in a "straight ahead" skid whereas if the rears lock
first, chances are good that you will "skid out" with the rear end coming
around in front of the car. The engineers ALWAYS gear results to the "least
capable" drivers that might be operating the car, lest someone sue the
manufacturer for making an "unsafe" vehicle. I am positive you will find
that all American cars are engineered so that front wheel lock up occurs
prior to rear wheel lock up because this is considered the "safest" (not
the best mind you) result for the driver who reacts to a panic stop by
stomping on the brake pedal.

I know that Porshce was getting "reamed" by the "rubber suit" types back in
the 70's for selling cars that were set up more for racing than the average
driver. And, one of those "racing" complaints was the tendancy for the rear
end to 'come around suddenly' if am untrained driver trailed off the
throttle or applied the brake in a hard turn. A "trained" driver knew to
"hit the gas" at the apex of a hard turn, even if he/she got into the turn
a little too fast, in order for the Porsche to negotiate that turn without
spinning. This was considered "racing technique" and the rubber suit folks
wanted Porshe to go back and engineer in "oversteer" like any good ole'
American Boulevard cruiser for safety sake. Then, when a neophyte got into
a turn too fast and stomped down on the brake, the car would understeer -
or just plow straight ahead - rather than "fishtailing" out of control. It
was considered "safer".

Think about this and the brake lock question: Why did they invent anti-lock
brakes? To adress the same type of driver; panic situation, stomp on the
brake with all you've got.

Tom H.