Touchy brakes

[lleone]

I've a 2000 GTS (ACR) and I took it out to an autocross last weekend. The car handled the autocross much better than I (and several others) thought it would. One of the things that another
driver and I noticed was a rather strange braking pattern. There is not a lot of travel on the brake pedal and it goes from hard braking to lockup very quickly. It's difficult to modulate. What is strangest though (and I've noticed this on the street also) is that you can be hard braking one second and locked up the next without changing pressure on the pedal. It's almost like the power assist is set too high (and goes overboard as vacuum increases with a decrease in RPMs).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[JonB]

Frightening if you are indeed saying that brakes are modulating themselves without additional pressure. If tuue. NOT GOOD.

Interesting, is that stainless lines will improve "constant linear response" which is what is bothering you. Lighter rotors would also improve braking, but worsen your complaint.

When you brake, the pedal feel in the Viper should be linear and predictable. Some unpredictability is present w/ rubber lines, esp when hot....but OPPOSITE to your complaint! I do agree that lockup is unpredictable in that there is NO signal or transition. But Lockup comes (predictably) at the end of a constant, linear pedal travel of a short stroke. A good thing.

I wonder if your culprit is partly the suspension settings. Or your pad selection. Your venues would not indicate heat or fluid concerns.

 

[lleone]

JonB, thanks for the input. One of the things we were thinking is the suspension settings. I haven't touched them since acquiring the car. There seems to be little transfer and no dive to the front under heavy braking. I'm not sure that that's a bad thing, but it was suggested that by lightening the front settings up, it would take more of the weight and balance off better with the smaller rear rotors and calipers.

About the pads, I have no problem chaning them. Any favorites I should consider for everyday street use?

Thanks!

 

[Afy]

I had the same problem initially.. turned out to be misaligned pads..
have it checked..