NO BRAKES..........................

[SMCBUILDERSINC]

I WAS ROAD RACING THROUGH THIS LITTLE TOWN IN MEXICO, "CLOSED HIGHWAY OFF COURSE," AND I FINALLY GOT A CHANCE TO TRY AND STOP MY 99 RT AT HIGH SPEEDS. IT APPEARS THAT I CANT SLOW THIS CAR DOWN WITHOUT LOCKING UP THE BRAKES. ITS A TERRIBLE FEELING. I DONT FEEL SAFE RACING. IF I WERE TO MAKE A PANIC STOP THERE WOULD MOST DEFINETLY BE AN ACCIDENT. IVE TRIED PULSING THE BRAKES, SOFT PEDALING AND ANYTHING ELSE I COULD THINK OF, NO LUCK. THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF PEDDLE PRESSURE AND THE WHEELS GO UP IN SMOKE.

QUESTIONS

1. CAN I BUY A BETTER BRAKE PAD THAT WOULD HELP?
2. IS THERE A TRICK TO ROAD RACING THESE NON-ABS CARS.
3. B/C OF THE SKIDDING IVE MANAGED TO WEAR FLAT SPOTS IN THE RUBBER, HOW DO I CORRECT THIS? I CAN ONLY FEEL IT AT LOW SPEEDS.

 

[Ulysses]

I'ld first take it in and make sure the brakes are mechanically sound. If they check out, I would then take a driving course with a school that specializes in Vipers.

1. CAN I BUY A BETTER BRAKE PAD THAT WOULD HELP?
Better Pads would make your brakes more responsive.

2. IS THERE A TRICK TO ROAD RACING THESE NON-ABS CARS.
Yes. But it's more learning how the car handles rather than a trick.

3. B/C OF THE SKIDDING IVE MANAGED TO WEAR FLAT SPOTS IN THE RUBBER, HOW DO I CORRECT THIS? I CAN ONLY FEEL IT AT LOW SPEEDS.
You can take them to a tire shop that is willing to true them for you or you can buy new tires.

 

[racewheel]

bigger tire

 

[Janni]

There are lots of brake and performance upgrades available for the Viper although I would first suggest that you attend a driving school like Viper Days and get some instruction from folks who actually track the car.

The practice threshold braking - where you DON'T lock up the tires and you DON'T flat spot them.

You can upgrade or change pads, lines, calipers, proportioning and, as Mr. Purner so eloquently stated, get a bigger contact patch.

Come join us at ViperDays at Mid-Ohio- we have at least 4 folks going from the NC and SC regions - you'll be amazed at what you learn....

 

[Bob Woodhouse]

I fear you are still waiting for a real answer and this subject has been covered extensively here. Do some looking in the archives using key words like "brake bias" "flat spotting" "front wheel lock-up". Second, yes it is pretty normal for a non-abs viper to lock the front wheels up. Removal of the stock proportioning valve is a beginning. Search using those words as well. Good luck, come back if you do not find all the info you need for correction. And throw those flat spotted tires away, they are done.

 

[99 R/T 10]

I disagree with Bob about the tires being done. They can be used to make some great burnout pictures!

 

[heatandair]

Mexico? Mexico is sure along way from South Carolina. I thought you just bought that thing and you already made it to Mexico. Anyway may be there was a lot of sand on the road. I herd those little towns in Mexico don’t have the best roads. Did you drive all they way home w/ bald spots?

 

[GTS Dean]

Hey - Bob Woodhouse finally has an Avatar!