Cant Stop!!!!

[richie_few]

my tiger has non servo brakes and i some times find it hard to leave the breaking late because of the lack of brakes.

the engine braking helps but has anyone got any suggestions? it has golf gti brakes on the front and drums on the back.

[KITT]

A common complaint on Tigers you'll find Try posting on the Tiger list here:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/tigerracing/messages

as you'll get more specific ideas and suggestions.

A few things to consider:

- can you lock the wheels?
- how old is the fluid?
- was the system bleed properly?
- what pads/discs are you using?

[Mr E]

Push the pedal harder?



>> Edited by Mr E on Monday 6th September 16:49

[KITT]

Mr E said:

Push the pedal harder?

You'd be amazed how many people say that Seriously though, non-servoed brakes do take a bit of getting used to as you need a bit more effort to get any braking force. If you can lock the wheels then you're brakes are ok, however there's then the matter of "feel".....

[richie_few]

i havent locked the wheels yet, ive got standard ventilated golf gti disks on the front with green stuff pads which are 1000 miles old. and drums on the back, the cars only done 6k so i cant imagine there can be to much wrong with the brakes

[docevi1]

another related question, why do you need to lock the brakes?

I can't on the Marlin since I upgraded the rubber but stop very, very well indeed (seat belt straining stop, squealing from the tyres well).

[d-man]

docevi1 said:

another related question, why do you need to lock the brakes? I can't on the Marlin since I upgraded the rubber but stop very, very well indeed (seat belt straining stop, squealing from the tyres well).

If you can lock your brakes then you can slow down as quickly as the condition of your tyres and the road allow - by holding the brakes at the point just before the wheels lock. If you can't, then you're not making the most of the tyres and road and you could stop quicker. Whether or not you need to stop quicker is a different question There are lots of other factors that affect how quickly you can stop, such as brake 'feel', but if you can't lock the wheels then you could always stop quicker.

[anonymous-user]

Because if you're not locking the wheels, there's still grip there available.

Basically, if the brakes on your car are able to apply sufficient retardation to lock the wheels then they are more than adequate as the limiting factor in how quickly you stop is then the grip offered by the tyres/suspension.

If you can't lock the wheels, it shows that a brake upgrade could take advantage of that extra grip that's available.

[docevi1]

ah, makes sense. I had planned on upgrading the brakes but since I'm not driving it at the moment and can't bend down I won't.

[KITT]

richie_few said:

i havent locked the wheels yet, ive got standard ventilated golf gti disks on the front with green stuff pads which are 1000 miles old. and drums on the back, the cars only done 6k so i cant imagine there can be to much wrong with the brakes

I'd find a nice bit of quiet, straight road and press the pedal as hard as it takes to lock the wheels. If you can't lock them or only one side locks then you have a problem with the system. Possibly trapped air, or old fluid (should be changed every 2 years really) or something else......

[richie_few]

ill have a go at that tonight. let you know how i get on. thanks

[feet]

If you can't lock your wheels, then your brakes just aren't working.