Right Front Lockup? Causes? What's the fix?

[Ulysses]

Right Front Lockup? Causes? What\'s the fix?

When I was at the track, several people mentioned that they saw the passenger side front brake lock up. Smoke was generated but only from the passenger side. What could be the problem and how would I remedy it? Air in the system?

One other thing, someone also noted that I was getting coolant over-flow on the passenger side which was evident from a pool of coolant left behind at the pit. Gauge temp never went past the last hash mark before the red (3/4ths of the gauge). Gauge was at normal on the trip home. Could coolant somehow have caused it to lock up on that side?

No brake wobble when I brake, so I can surmize that the rotor isn't warped and thank God there are no flat spots. Letters on caliper are still nice and white. I did notice that brake dust was much heavier on the passenger side front wheel.

 

[JonB]

Re: Right Front Lockup? Causes? What\'s the fix?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ulysses:
When I was at the track, several people mentioned that they saw the passenger side front brake lock up. Smoke was generated but only from the passenger side........One other thing, someone also noted that I was getting coolant over-flow on the passenger side <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

YOU ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION !

Coolant from the facia bottle IN FRONT OF THE RF TIRE made the RF tire slick and it locked and smoked. You are lucky you did not have an agricultural excursion. Coolant is VERY slick! And it may have prevented a flat spot...It allowed slipping.

Just to be sure, bleed the brakes well, and check the dust boots for a sticking piston on the right side.

Then, burp your cooling system thoroughly

 

[Ulysses]

Re: Right Front Lockup? Causes? What\'s the fix?

THANKS JON! I will do as you recommend. (Actually, I did have a spin out, but it was entering a turn on the wide part of the track so all was well).

 

[JonB]

Re: Right Front Lockup? Causes? What\'s the fix?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ulysses:
...Actually, I did have a spin out, but it was entering a turn on the wide part of the track....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

All the more reason to suspect compromised traction caused by leaking coolant from the RF bottle. The coolant overflows into the front facia and can slosh out during cornering....it can even affect JUST the rear tires in a given corner, depending on where it drips/sloshes. Usually wets the RF.

Easy fix! Be safe and check everything......

 

[99t1]

Re: Right Front Lockup? Causes? What\'s the fix?

aside from the coolant bottle, it's a known thing...Vipers always lock up the front right..happened many times on my 96 and other cars.

 

[Sean Roe]

Re: Right Front Lockup? Causes? What\'s the fix?

The lightest wheel will always lock up first. The right front is your lightest corner on a stock Viper with no passenger. This effect can be compounded by the following; having the steering wheel turned slighlty to the right while braking, a slightly lower tire pressure on the right than the left (even by 1 pound), overly unbalanced corner weights due to sway bar preload, the road itself, etc.
If everything is setup correctly, then the next step is to upgrade the brake system for better modulation and control at the point of threshold braking.