Front Brakes vs Rear Brakes.
12-09-2003 | 07:18 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 112,961
Likes: 148
From: Doh!!
Got my car alignment done today.
The alignment guy told me something very interesting.
He said that rear wheel drive cars tend to have stronger front brakes - i.e. More braking power in the front. This is why when I brake half way through a turn, my rear end comes out wide.
Don't know if this is the truth.
(BTW, this guy is a car nut. Tracks his car and seems to know alot about alignment/suspension.)
The alignment guy told me something very interesting.
He said that rear wheel drive cars tend to have stronger front brakes - i.e. More braking power in the front. This is why when I brake half way through a turn, my rear end comes out wide.
Don't know if this is the truth.
(BTW, this guy is a car nut. Tracks his car and seems to know alot about alignment/suspension.)
12-09-2003 | 07:26 PM
#2
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 100
From: Fort Lauderdale
I don't know of a car in existence where the front brakes aren't bigger (and better) than the rear brakes. Weight tranfers forward as you brake, and more weight on the front end allows the front to retain better traction, so the front tires can handle more braking power before impending lockup. If you had equal braking force all the way around, the rears would lock very early as the tail gets light when the weight shifts forward.
12-09-2003 | 07:57 PM
#3
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,826
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From: Denver CO
[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2020
Got my car alignment done today.
The alignment guy told me something very interesting.
He said that rear wheel drive cars tend to have stronger front brakes - i.e. More braking power in the front.
Got my car alignment done today.
The alignment guy told me something very interesting.
He said that rear wheel drive cars tend to have stronger front brakes - i.e. More braking power in the front.
12-09-2003 | 07:58 PM
#4
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,826
Likes: 5
From: Denver CO
Oh, and one more thing. If he gave you that explanation without telling you that you shouldn't be braking halfway through a turn he IS NOT a seasoned track driver - well unless he's into drag racing 
12-09-2003 | 09:16 PM
#7
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 1
From: Sheridan
[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2020
Got my car alignment done today.
The alignment guy told me something very interesting.
He said that rear wheel drive cars tend to have stronger front brakes - i.e. More braking power in the front.
Got my car alignment done today.
The alignment guy told me something very interesting.
He said that rear wheel drive cars tend to have stronger front brakes - i.e. More braking power in the front.
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12-09-2003 | 10:03 PM
#8
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Actually, the bmw M3 i believe had bigger front brakes at one point. I was at the dealer test driving it... maybe... 2000 or 2001 and i looked at the book that the sales person gave me. The front and backs had similar sizes but the rear had a bigger size than the front.
12-09-2003 | 11:41 PM
#10
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,014
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by E36Ap1
But if the engine in the rear the rear brakes are bigger.
But if the engine in the rear the rear brakes are bigger.
http://www3.us.porsche.com/english/usa/911...ons/default.htm
Steve